Rojan Team in City to Surf Perth 2009
On a cold and overcast August morning, some of Rojan's finest lined up to take part in the Activ 2009 City to Surf fun run. Ranging in shapes, sizes, ages and abilities the participants had differing goals in mind with most happy "to survive the 12 km" while others were more keen to enjoy the social side of the event.
Leading the team away with an early start was Roger Sallenbach who completed the half marathon in 1 hour 33 minutes, prior to the start of the 12 km run. What an excellent effort!
Starting from the 12 km race were Justin and Tarja Samut, Maggie Albuquerque, John Skinner, Rob Mold, Josie Quenneville and Nikita Tzvetanov. With much anticipation, some trepidation and pockets full of free energy gels, the group set off to take on the rise up of St Georges Terrace and the hill alongside Kings Park.
It was bedlam with runners, walkers and strollers everywhere resulting in the team fragmenting into small groups which continued that way for most of the run. The smaller teams helped and urged each other along the way.
The half way mark of Perry Lakes was a welcome sight and this was the point where the remainder of the team were starting the 4 km walk from. Mark Federoff was ready and raring to go and eagerly awaiting the arrival of Jens Puehlhorn and Tony Hobbs. Unfortunately due to an error, Jens and Tony drove to the finishing post and attempted to start their walk from there. Finishing a party at 4am will tend to leave you slightly befuddled, Jens.
Unfortunately, the early displays of teamwork died in the last couple of kilometres, as Tarja Samut decided that running with two lumbering blokes wouldn't do her image any good and she sped away leaving Justin gasping and Moldy a long way back.
At the end, most of the team were able to locate each other amongst the masses. The excuses were flowing thick and fast - "if I didn't have a wooden leg", "if I didn't party last night", "if I had trained" "if I wasn't so fat" - about why they didn't put in a better time or beat some one else home. Mainly though it was smiles and laughs with a lot of tired but happy people.
Though it was the quiet achiever John Skinner who put everyone in their place as he claimed fastest time for the 12 km run at 1 hour 25 minutes for the Rojan cohort. Secret squirrel training in the northern suburbs of Perth worked wonderfully for John as he put all the younger legs to shame!
Monday morning was the test of strength. It looked like the aftermath of a golden oldies rugby game as people limped and moved slowly around office and workshop as the assault on their bodies hit home. That is to say everyone except Jens and Tony who looked remarkably fresh - we wonder why?