Mind over matter

A little about this marathon: which is not for the faint of heart!  

This 65Km Ultra is a full experience of the Avon Valley, traversing its whole entirety. The course takes participants from the culturally rich Whadjuk land Walyunga National Park, up to Mt Mambup in Jumbuck Regional Park, down into Bells Rapids and up Bells Rapids and up Bells Falls, through the Paruna Wildlife Sanctuary and Avon Valley National Park until they reach the finish line on Ballardong land, Cobbler Pool near Toodyay. 

Grit and determination

The day started with rain lashing down, setting the path for the rest of the day. Holly states that it was around 40km into the marathon that in her words “the wheels fell off!”, with Holly’s right knee deciding it had other plans. She was still on track and pushed on for another 5km before her pain became so bad that she could no longer run. Determined as ever, Holly hobbled the final 20km to cross the finish line. The last 20km of this already challenging course took her longer than the first 45km, and at this stage she was in a world of pain. 

“I grit my teeth and finished in 11 hours 38 minutes, but not finishing was not an option. My strength is my mind power, and I wasn’t letting my broken body beat me!” Holly said. 

Holly finished 24 out of 37 in the Female Solo category, with many solo men, women, and team participants not completing this grueling course. 

On top of all of this, she raised an impressive $3,794.00 for her cause!