Michael Killicoat

Weather turned today (snow in Bowral today - it was 32C last week!) so rugged up and put the raincoat on and ran to work via Tiger's picking up my backpack. Very easy pace and untimed.

117km for the week.

Killa was a Macquarie grad a few years ago in the same vintage as Dave Clarke. If Kanser had got his act together they'd have walked away with the JPMorgan team trophy every year. He's a big lad and had great speed - in 2008 he ran a sub4 min 1500m. Running with HuRTS his stamina improved too making him a force to be reckoned with. He joined Terence at BRR a couple of years ago and has recently rejoined us, again steadily improving. Watch out for his result at JPMorgan this year. An Adelaide boy and as a result has a strange obsession with professional handicap racing, but an all round good bloke.

Killa, mixing it up with Shelley in the City to Surf.

Terence Bell

Finally back to my favorite 10x400m session. Normally hurts like hell but does you the world of good. Today I just wanted to get through without aggravating the hammie. Met Andy and Enda for the jog over only to find Big Sam and the AMP boys already onto their second rep when we arrived. Kanser arrived after our rep 2. Times were as follows:

73, 73, 72, 72, 72, 71, 69, 69, 69, 69.

72's felt fine. 69's required quite a bit of effort. Need to get some speed back. Garmin said 420m so I think it was a pretty accurate 400m. Off a rolling 2 mins. In front for the first 6. Sam gave me something to chase on 7 and 8 and Kanser and Enda did the same on 9 and 10.

TB is a machine. A PB over 100km of 7:05 is testament to that, easily good enough to earn him an Australian vest. He looks like Drago from Rocky IV but can probably hold a plank for longer. I'm sure Drago couldn't run a 2:37 marathon either. Or a 34:00 10km. Occasionally shies away from a head to head in an effort to maintain the perfect persona, but will forgive him that based on his achievements. Despite all that he's the mild mannered gentleman of the HuRT Squad and popular with the ladies to boot. I hate him. An all round good bloke.

Richard Green

5km this morning with Billy before seeing Carl. Then 19km twice around Centennial with Anna, JW, Kanser, Rob, James E and Geoffrey. Beautiful day and pace a bit quicker than usual, particularly towards the end - 1:23:52 (4:26's).

Dicky is another pom who has been running for the Striders for years but started running with HuRTS about 3 years ago. However, given he's a fellow Fairlight resident I know him better for our regular weekend runs together. His real love is on the trails (he's a very handy orienteerer and "rogainer", whatever that is - I thought it was something you put on your head when your hair starts to fall out). He knows every single trail within a 30km radius of Fairlight, which is many more trails than you would believe existed. Dicky is a team winner and record holder for the Sydney Oxfam Trailwalker and has a sub4 Six Foot Track to his name. But he can also run a sub35 10km. You would think this would translate to a good marathon, but his PB is 2:59:55, despite being the regular 3 hour pacer for the Sydney Marathon. Fact is he's never raced one properly. But this doesn't stop him killing me on Sunday runs by insisting we set off at 4:15 pace. Likes a beer and I was convinced he was a Yorkshireman until he whispered to me one day in an apologetic tone that he's actually a Southerner. In spite of that, an all round good bloke.

Jonathan Fenton

Tuesday was 45 min tempo with a fair crowd that Angus got a good shot of post session.

I ran with Kanser, Enda and Bartles - 3:37's until the turn (just before first speed bumps) when Kanser suddenly ups the pace to 3:30's. I just hung on to his coat tails, working much harder. 3:37's were fine. 3:30's required work. He stopped at Mrs Macs to save his Achilles so I rolled up the hills myself, finishing in 44:23 (3:35's).

J-Fen joined us from the U, S of A about 3 years ago and has steadily improved ever since, save for a few months out with a back injury. He's probably got more untapped potential than any of the rest of the squad based on his training performances - particularly at the moment. You get the feeling he just needs one breakthrough performance and the rest of us will be left for dust. A 33:28 10km PB, 18:20 JPmorgan PB and a half in 1:14:47 show that he's right on the cusp, but given he produces performances in training better than I've ever done show there's more to come. Claims to have no speed but that's a crock, to coin his turn of phrase. Never a bad word to say of anyone. An all round good bloke.

J-Fen below, second from left.

Enda Stankard

Today was the easy Monday route (16km) in about 68mins with a big crowd including Kanser, Indrajeet, KiltedScot, JW, Georgie Moore and very happy to see Laura joining us for an easy 30mins in a tentative return from injury. Pace picked towards 4min kms at the end. Feeling more confident. Back is feeling better now I've been stretching my ridiculously tight hip flexors and no aggro from hamstring recently.

Enda is our main Irish protagonist. Never fully committed to running due to some strange affinity with triathlons, but very handy nonetheless. I wouldn't know Enda's PB's (I'm guessing low 34 for 10km, high 1:15 for a Half) but you can usually find him one place behind fellow Irishman POD and one place in front of fellow Irishman Kanser. Prone to illness but his real strengths lie in Timmy-baiting and at the bar. One of the few who'll still be ordering when I head home/pass out. Always gets his excuses in early but, bless him, was gracious in handing over the Churchill/Sands trophy as Irish captain following the English/Irish competition at the SMH Half. He'll be doing the same again following the JPMorgan Challenge. Never an angry word has crossed his lips. An all round good bloke.

Enda, at left, about to pass a weary-looking Richard High and de-chick himself at JPMorgan Champs in Singapore circa April 2011.

Andy Heyden

Friday was a very easy Manly 14km route early doors with a hangover courtesy of beers the night before with Wildman, Kanser and Andy. 31:26 at the turn and 62:18 all up. Saturday was 2nd place in the Fitzroy Falls 10km. Hilly and rocky in parts and no good for my back. First guy was way ahead and I eased into 2nd place at 3km and from there ran alone. 37:30 all up and a hard hit out as opposed to a race. Today was 2hours early doors from Bowral Park Farm along Tourist Road and back. Hillier than I thought but just over 28km for 4:17's.

Not sure when Andy joined us but he arrived with his cheeky chappy English accent and proceeded to steadily improve back to the form that saw him run some speedy London marathons before coming out to Oz. He's rarely lost form since and always runs an honest race. Much more competitive than his amiable exterior suggests, although he finds it impossible to run past a cameraman without smiling and raising his thumb. He beat me (and Tucks) once up at North Head on the windiest day ever when he ran a very impressive 34:00 despite everyone else running 90s slower than normal. Unfortunately he has shown inklings of turning to the dark side in recent years with a couple of Ultra's, but at least when he does them he represents Australia so isn't mucking about. I think the photonbelow is of him doing an Ultra for Australia. Either that or a race walk. Likes a chat. Loves a beer. An all round good bloke.

Stephen Thurston

Got a lunch on today so headed out on my Manly 14km route early doors, bumping into Macca and having a brief chat in the first km. Plan was to go slightly quicker than normal but still keep it comfortable. 28:16 at the turn and 55:30 all up (3:57's). Beautiful day.

Thurston (aka Wildman) is undoubtedly the most talented runner to be part of the HuRT Squad. I first bumped into him circa 2006 kicking my ass on the long section on Pain in the Domain. It was another 18 months later that Durante brought his fellow workmate along to HuRTs, claiming he had a bit of talent. He ran with us for a couple of weeks and then, half fit, would do each session way out in front, circling back every now and then for a chat. He's had as many ups and downs as Gary Glitter. Should have made the Olympics in 2000. Mini comeback after joining HuRTS that won him the JPMorgan CCC in 2008 before falling off the wagon again. Doubled in size, spent his first subsequent comeback session hiding behind a bush embarrassed to show how unfit he was. Bounced back in 2011 to finish 6th in City to Surf and 2nd in the Burnie 10km in 30:00. Had some health issues recently but reputedly back running again. I'm having a couple of beers with him tonight. Dangerous and leads me astray, but an all round good bloke.

This photo (Steve at right) in the colours of St George with Chadi, Tim Rowe and a hairy Benny St, probably best sums him up:

Michael Conway

A long time between drinks. Had a week off, took some Voltaren and ran a 5km in Surfers (over the Parkrun course) at the AVCAL conference and couldn't even win that despite running 16:04. Struggled more with the hamstring. Eventually decided to see Carl again at Rebound Integrated Health to sort it out properly. But since then I've had back problems. Basically haven't trained properly since GCM in July, started drinking way too much and I've put on weight and feeling unfit. Still can't do speed work properly but at least I'm back running, doing 18km with Sam and MC at lunch today.

I've got 6 weeks to get fit enough to put in a credible performance for JPMorgan Corporate Challenge. At least I've got something to concentrate on.

Mike Conway is responsible for creating what the HuRT Squad is today. If Timmy ever refers to me, tongue in cheek, as Chairman Tom, then MC is CEO Mike. He took us from being a hardcore band of 15 or so, to the 160+ on the HuRTS distribution list today through his contacts and enthusiasm. It's not surprising he's a highly successful equities trader. MC can also run, although his performances don't often match the training. His quest for the sub35 10km is as notorious as the quest for the Holy Grail. I reckon it's on the cards now he's putting together some more regular 30km weekend runs and a more frequent tempo session. He's certainly hitting some form that has Young Timmy scared. There was even talk, today, of a marathon in the not-too-distant future and he mentioned 2:48 as the likely time. That's close to Timmy's PB of which no doubt he's aware. The future of the squad is in safe hands. An all round good bloke.

David Kane

Turned up to a smaller HuRTS crowd with no doubt a few resting up before Blackmores at the weekend. I started out relatively easily into the session but soon realised my hammie just isn't right. It's been 4 weeks now so I'm going to rest up and get it sorted properly.

Which leads us to Blackmores. The Half is shaping up as a cracker of a race. With Tucks walking up mountains overseas, Bartles nursing a sore ankle and Young Timmy claiming a new ailment with every new week, this is the race to determine HuRTS #1 and it promises to be a battle royale. J-Fen would appear to be the man in form based on training but doesn't always convert to races, particularly over the longer distance. Richie High and Fats are both in good form, Andy has the strength and Kanser the ego. But man to watch may be Macca who has been improving quietly each week and was confident enough on Tuesday to tell everyone he's going to take it out hard in the hope of breaking J- Fen's spirit. We shall see. I think it's just too close to call. But if I were a betting man (and Timmy and the Tiger know I'm not) I would put $2 and no more on Macca, if only based on his great run over the same course last year in horrendous conditions.

I first became aware of Kanser in a Striders 10km in early 2006 out at Homebush. Only 10 seconds separated 2nd place from 7th, but he was 2nd and I was 7th. I've not forgiven him since. He's probably read more about running than anyone I know and is all too happy to give you his opinion, without pulling any punches. If you have a bad run, you often have your mates tell you it wasn't so bad, or the conditions were shocking, or the course was long, but credit to Kanser, he'll just tell you you ran shit. And I like that. Especially as it allows me to tell him he ran shit too. I often get more chance to do so than he does. But in between injuries the fella has put in some great performances. His sub 33 10km PB puts him in rare company and a 73 Half isn't too shabby either. But for a connoisseur of the sport he needs to nail the marathon. His talent deserves a much better PB. I have to admit that when I ran my first marathon the first person I wanted to speak to about it was Kanser. Not to gloat about a sub 2:40, but because he lives and breathes the event and knows what's involved. Loves a beer, especially pre-race. An all round good bloke.

Anthony Murrell

Saturday was a 12km very easy run early doors at 4:25 pace pre-camping trip. Shouts to Frik and Tony Wong.

No run Sunday while camping.

Today (birthday!) was the 14km route a little faster in 59:38 running along the beachfront with Jasper. Then at lunch did the usual 16km route in 70 with Big Sam, MC, JW, BW, Luke, Rob, the Kilted Scot, Gerry and others.

Got to mention Muz today as I was walking back to the lifts with my morning coffee and bumped into him. We both must have looked a bit shocked. Turns out he's working for Deutsche - moving to Singapore but back in Sydney in our building for 6 weeks.

Muz was discovered by Serg, working alongside him at UBS. He just seemed to run in the pack with HuRTS At first then all of a sudden was kicking our arses, a real hidden talent. More often than not got the better of me and had a 10km PB in the 32's. But best of all he loved a beer and was usually the last to leave the pub. Massive chest, skinny legs. An all round good bloke.

Andrew Tuckey

A very easy 10km today in 44:58. Large hangover following HuRTS Drinks last night and hammie still sore.

I think I first raced Tucks in February 2007 at a Striders 10km at Lane Cove. He beat me by about 30 seconds. It's been a common theme ever since. On the rare occasion I've beaten him, it's usually down to a sprint finish. That's not to say that he hasn't got a finishing kick. I think I've just been so excited to be anywhere near him at the finish line that willpower has got me over. I think it's become a bit of a mental thing for me not to be able to get past Tucks. Most of my best races have been when he's not run. In fact, I've just realized that every one of my current PBs was done in a race that Tucks wasn't running in. Beneath the very calm exterior there's a fierce competitor in him. About 12 months ago he started doing a few more trail runs and ultras and has taken them by storm. Currently in Interlaken, Switzerland about to run the world long course mountain running champs. Good luck for that mate. But, like I said about Ray, Tucks will do any race from track to road to cross country to trail. He performs just as well over 3000m on the track as he does 100km in the mountains. The all round runner. And boy, what a marathon PB. Also likes a beer. An all round good bloke.

Tony Fattorini

400's at Rushcutters today and with it a first chance to really test the hammie. The squad was splintered into 4 different sessions so it was a select crowd of LF Charlie, Mark Milligan, Ray, Macca, Kaley, Andy, Robbie Neill, Killa and a couple more. Robbie led the way finishing about 2 secs in front on each rep. We did a whole loop of the track so it was a little over 400m. Reps went:

73, 73, 72, 73, 73, 73, 71, 71, 71, 74

Rolled off every 2:10.

All was going well until the final rep which was faster again until my hammie tightened at 200m so eased off from there.

I first remember encountering Fats (as he is universally known) when doing my first Half Marathon (SMH) in 2005. On every point of the course everyone seemed to be shouting for some fat guy. I then discovered his nickname but had already realised his popularity. He smashed me that day running 75 something and I debuted in a 77 something. Fats' true calling is running up a hill, probably as a result of his Yorkshire upbringing. His greatest running achievement is undoubtedly winning the Six Foot Track in a then record time in 2007. But an even greater quality is how humble he remains despite his huge talent. Loves a beer, but prefers them warm. An all round good bloke.

Michael Durante

Today was a very slow 4.5km early on with the kids followed by a run to work in a surprisingly quick 56:46 at lunchtime. Wore a backpack with my work shoes in and spent the whole run adjusting to make it comfortable. Spring has sprung. 27C today.

Where to start on partner in crime Mikey Durante? One of the most natural looking runners you'll ever meet. Bounces along like Zebedee. I first met him about 8 years ago doig Pain in the Domain when neither of us took running seriously. He would always smash me in the 800m rep around Farm Cove, which was natural being a 1:53 800m National finalist as a kid. I go to know him through mutual friend and fellow Allens employee Pete Beacroft, himself a 30min 10km runner - back in the days when Allens would smash any team around. Durante upped his training with the HuRT Squad and with his natural ability was able to clock 32:08 over 10km. He'd have gone quicker if:
(a) he hadn't picked up a long term knee injury; and
(b) he wasn't as fond of a beer as I am.
An all round good bloke.

Michael Harrison

Today was 2 x 20mins off a 3 min break. Richie, Andy and Fats shot off into the distance leaving me, MC, Kanser, Macca and Big Mikey H to follow in their wake - running about 3:34's. All felt fine for the first 20mins with the hammie giving me no probs. on the way back Kanser and Macca shot off ahead and MC pushed in front of me. Felt a bit bewildered as I thought I was running the same pace and yet was lagging big style. Pulled back MC at CQ with Macca and Kanser about 100m ahead. Reached the stone gates in 9:37 and realised I'd have to work quite hard to get back in time. Did so without tweaking the hammie so was pleased. Hauled in Macca at the ABC Pool and reached Kanser's shoulder just before the Art Gallery before he pulled ahead on the run-in finishing strongly. Back in 19:43 with a final gate to gate in 10:06 so starting to get a bit of confidence back.


Michael (aka Big Mikey H) is probably one of the most talented runners to train with the HuRT Squad. Possessing a huge, loping stride, he first shot to prominence winning the Novice Cross Country in 2007 (ahead of current National XC Champ James Nipperess who finished 4th and me a lot further back in 5th). He had a summer job with Mac Bank so would train with us during lunch breaks but more generally with SWEAT. There was a time when Big Mikey H was running low 31 mins for 10km and would be challenging Thurston on Hickson Rd reps making the rest of us look like trail runners. He disappeared off the scene for a while only to pop up at UBS as a grad a couple of years ago. If MC sorted out his JPMorgan team properly they'd kill everyone. His brother (Jason) is pretty handy too. An all round good bloke.

Big Mikey H (second from left in Sydney University strip) winning Novice in April '07.

Gerry Arthur

Today was the usual Monday route with a big crowd. Mike held fort telling all and sundry that North Head was long and he seems to have persuaded Steve Jackson to remeasure it. Kanser seemed to be working up a sweat just to run 4:30's and, following his poor performance in the Coastal Classic, I have concerns for his form.


Gerry was a keen HuRT Squad participant in the early days and even penned an article for that esteemed running publication "The Blister" on how the HuRT Squad was instrumental in delivering his first ever sub35 10km race after many years trying. MC might want to ask him for a back copy. He promised a very good marathon 2 or 3 years back (long time PB of 2:48) but got sick and never delivered. Since then he's shied away from racing and showing us the form he's plainly capable of, but currently on the come-back trail and racing Melbourne full. Also very handy with the camera. Charlie D might want to speak to him about that. All round good bloke.

Sergio Carvalho

Up at 5.30am on a beautiful spring morning for 2 hours easy with Macca. We did my old Burnt Bridge Creek, Manly Beach, North Head, Tania park route and I don't think Macca appreciated the trails or sharp hills with his hip. Still, the time passed very quickly chatting all the way. I'm handling these longer runs fine, still feeling pretty fresh at the end. It's nice knowing at 26km you don't have to pick up the pace for the final 10km.


Serg was an enigma. A hugely talented runner with a passion for peri-peri chicken, he would fluctuate in weight depending on the season. Despite being of Portuguese descent, he didn't like training in temps above 20c. But on his day he would smash us, with a PB in the Half of 68:xx. We were reminded of this many times, which is why one of the original HuRT Squad awards - recently dominated by MC - is named in his honour. An all round good bloke.

Serg, on right, at JPMorgan in NYC with rare beer in front of him.

Richard High

Got up after 4 hours sleep nursing a monster hangover. Jogged up to North Head and stood in the freezing cold directing cars. Had a quick chat with the boys intending to jog the 10km when James asks if I'll do the 40min pacing role. I agreed as I thought it would keep me honest. I'm the world's worst pacer. Felt great while running and kept on drifting down to 3:50's. Went through 5km in 19:32. Some bloke told me at 6km I was going way too fast. Ended up running backwards between 8 and 9km trying to gee up the runners. Had to do the last km in 4:20 so walked the last 40m to cross the line in 40:00.


Then ran home. 17km all up. Hammie ok. Still hungover.


Richie joined the 4 of us in the second or third session the squad ever ran, so is effectively one of the founder members. He is one of those blokes who only needs about 3 weeks of consistent training to get super fit. Having said that, he's always coming back from some injury or another. Plenty of speed having been a great 800m runner as a kid (1:55 or thereabouts) so all he ever needs is a few long runs in the legs. Probably the only person who's run JPMorgan more times than I have, but not sure he's ever run a marathon? We share a birthday (and almost a surname) but he's an old man and turns 40 next week whereas I'm still a whipper snapper. An all round good bloke. In fact, voted so in the HuRT Squad awards last year.

Ray Wareham

An easy 10km from work but when I reached 5km (20:32) I decided to stretch my legs a bit on the way back to test the hammie. All up 40:16.


Ray is one of the those few runners (including Tucks, CT and, to his credit, Flakey) who will run anything from 800m on the track to the Six Foot Track. He's ubiquitous. He'll pop up in a marathon and be doing a hard Tuesday session 2 days later. Having said that, he's always moaning about a niggle or two. And Ray likes to talk. Even when running 3:20's in a 10km race, Ray will strike up a conversation. Which can become a bit frustrating sometimes, when you're slogging your guts out and he's chatting about J-Fen's current form. I reckon he's underperformed a bit recently. He definitely deserves to beat his marathon PB (2:39) and should be running 33's over 10km based in his ability. But what do I know. An all round good bloke.

Tim Cradock

Just an easy 45mins today around Manly before a game of golf in the sunshine courtesy of Mac Bank.

Tim was another founder member of HuRTs, but of the 4 of us probably the one we see least often these days (although he was out on Monday). It's a shame as he's probably the most talented with a 2:24 marathon to his name in Paris about 10 years ago. When I started doing this blog I was very competitive with him - along with Richie High - with us frequently all finishing within a few seconds of each other. Unfortunately he seems to have turned to the dark side recently, attempting a few Ultras. All round good bloke though.

HuRT Squad - Chris Graham

Lost my mojo a bit recently particularly with all the injuries. Strained my hammie again yesterday. Saw the Tiger this morning and he stuck some needles in and worked on it. He said jogging on it would be OK and that was the only advice I needed. So did an hour with Macca, MC, RMR, Craig, JW and others.


Chris was one of the founding 4 members of the HuRT Squad and actually came up with the name (he's in marketing). He's a bit different to the average squad member, in that he is still a regular on Tuesdays and Thursdays but will never run a race shorter than a marathon. He's run Six Foot more times than nearly everyone (18 or so) with a fairly recent sub4 hour PB. All round good bloke.