ANZAC Ultra will stage a seven day footrace to commemorate the Centenary of the ANZACs landing at Gallipoli in 1915.
The race will, as far as possible, follow the route of the ‘Cooee March’ from Gilgandra to Sydney.
‘Cooee Marches’ were recruiting marches, when those who had enlisted made their way towards Sydney, gathering other recruits along the way.
Recruitment marches took place across Australia, with destinations to other major cities such as Brisbane.
A’ Cooee March’
Ultralegends Events
Ultralegends Events is a not-for-profit organisation founded by Phil Essam – an ex-serving member of the Royal Australian Air Force – to organise a one-off stage race along the Cooee March route to commemorate the Centenary of the ANZACs.
Funds will be raised through the race for Legacy Australia – a charity providing services to Australian families suffering financially and socially after the incapacitation or death of a spouse or parent, during or after their defence force service.
“Relive the journey”
The organisers of Anzac Ultra 2015 are planning the race with an aim “to commemorate the centenary of the ANZACs, an important part of Australian history” and “to relive the journey of those who braved the famous Cooee March”.
The race aims to be an opportunity for people to “join together and celebrate the spirit, courage and camaraderie [of the ANZAC recruits]”, as well as to test their physical endurance.
The event will be open to individual runners and teams. Teams are allowed between 2 to 7 runners; each individual stage must be completed by the same runner. The event aims to raise $50000 for Legacy.
Route
The event is currently being organised and is expected to become “official” in 2014.
The race commences in Gilgandra and concludes in Sydney, Australia. The stages, with approximate distances, are as follows:
18th April: Gilgandra – Dubbo 67km
19th April: Dubbo – Wellington 51km
20th April: Wellington – Molong 66km
21st April: Orange – Bathurst 56km
22nd April: Bathurst – Lithgow 64km
23rd April: Lithgow – Penrith 92km
24th April: Penrith – Sydney 50km
Information
If you would like to assist, provide sponsorship or volunteer during the event please contact Phil Essam at: anzacultra@gmail.com.
For more information, visit the Anzac Ultra 2015 website here.
Source: ANZAC Ultra 2015 press release
Images courtesy of ANZAC Ultra
Posted by: Daniel Barry, Centenary News