One of Australia’s most formidable hiking routes has been conquered in what is believed to be a record time after three endurance runners shaved more than a day off the previous benchmark.
Key points:
- The Heysen Trail stretches 1,200 kilometers from the Flinders Ranges to Cape Jervis
- Rurik “Roo” Symon, Simon Duke and Dan Camac marched last week in honor of their late friend
- They reached their destination on Friday afternoon, breaking the record set five years ago
Over the past 13 days, Rurik “Roo” Symon, Simon Duke and Dan Camac walked an average of more than 90 kilometers a day along South Australia’s Heysen Trail, enduring pain, discomfort and sleep deprivation.
The trio, who were honoring a colleague who died in a crash last year, persisted after fellow runner Marcus Staker was forced to pull out of the 1,200km walk due to injury.
The trail, which runs from Parachilna Gorge in the Flinders Ranges through the Adelaide Hills to the Fleurieu Peninsula, combines bucolic sections with more challenging terrain and cliff-top coastal paths.
It is one of Australia’s longest recognized hiking trails and a favorite of hiking groups, but hikers tend to progress and complete the journey in stages, often over months or years.
The trail, shown here around Bundaleer North and Hallett, is known for its bucolic scenery. (Instagram: heysene2e)
‘Exhausted’ but excited
The previous recognized record of 13 days, 16 hours and 16 minutes was set by endurance runner David Turnbull in 2017.
Symon, Camac and Duke summoned every ounce of strength to reach Cape Jervis in 12 days, seven hours and 21 minutes.
Duke admitted he was “exhausted” but was delighted to “be able to say we came around 2.21pm this afternoon”.
“We’ve been successful in setting a new record for the track,” he told ABC Radio Adelaide’s Caroline Winter.
“We had 12 days over 80 kilometers or more, sometimes up to 100 kilometers.
“It is a new experience for us and we have learned a lot.
“I guess one of the great things is that it’s amazing, when you have a goal, what you can do when you’re tired.”
Space for play or pause, M for mute, left and right arrows for search, up and down arrows for volume. Listening Duration: 3min 7sec 3m 7s An exhausted but delighted Simon Duke spoke to ABC Radio Adelaide’s Caroline Winter.
‘Smoke and adrenaline’
Earlier in the week, support crew chief Liz Woodgate said there was plenty of encouragement along the way.
“It’s definitely not all unicorns and rainbows here on the trail,” he said.
“But … the scenery and the hospitality of the people we’ve encountered has been fabulous.”
Space for play or pause, M for mute, left and right arrows for search, up and down arrows for volume. Crew chief Liz Woodgate spoke to ABC Radio Adelaide’s Caroline Winter on Wednesday.
The odyssey has so far raised more than $30,000 for Autism Camp Australia.
The charity was close to the heart of endurance runner Randell Taylor, who was hit by a truck and killed while cycling in November.
Mrs Woodgate said she had been with them “every step of the way”.
“He’s absolutely looking at them,” she said.
Roo Symon at one of the many scenic spots along the route. (Instagram: heysene2e)
The group sometimes left on “fumes and adrenaline” after nights of only “an hour and a half’s sleep”.
Duke said the group would now treat themselves to a lie-in on Saturday morning and were “looking forward to a nice home-cooked meal”.