Mackay Athletes Achieve Remarkable Success at the Great Wall Marathon

Tri-ActiV8 Tribe

On Saturday, 18 May 2024, 15 dedicated athletes from Mackay, all representing Tri-ActiV8, achieved a monumental feat at the Great Wall Marathon in China. The team’s performance highlighted the exceptional talent and determination of Mackay's athletes, with several standout finishes.

Nikki Giles, Tri-ActiV8 Director, Head Coach, and participant, shared insights into their journey. "We have a strong team spirit, camaraderie, and sense of adventure amongst us. It started as an idea and then suddenly a lot more of our tribe wanted to be a part of the journey."

Selena Corness, Emily Wicks, Nikki Giles

The team tackled various distances: two participants competed in the 8.5km Fun Run, one in the 21km race, and 12 took on the full 42km marathon. Their hard work and dedication paid off with impressive results:

• Jose Short secured 1st place in her female age group.

• Sam Sticklan achieved 4th place in her age group and 9th overall female.

• Emily Wicks finished 6th in her age group.

• Angus Wicks earned 2nd place in his age group.

Preparation for the marathon's unique challenges was crucial. "Getting our athletes ready was a really important component to achieving success in what is hailed as one of the most difficult marathons in the world.” said Nikki.

“As Head Coach, I had to tailor training plans to suit individual athletes current situations on a weekly and sometimes daily basis - life always plays an important part in training and for a lot of athletes challenges such as injury, sickness and family demands play a role in training load.”

Nikki incorporated long-distance running, elevation, stair climbs, strength training, and running efforts. Athletes were also encouraged to develop their own fuelling plan to support their body’s needs during the race.

Running along the Great Wall of China was an unforgettable experience for the team. "The Great Wall is in a mountainous picturesque setting that is awe-inspiring and is a magnificent feat of engineering. It was amazing to have 3.7km of the Wall closed off to us for the race and to compete where the Wall is the feature."

Sandra Macklin

The Great Wall Marathon is known for its physical and mental demands. "The secret is in the preparation and understanding what your body needs to compete in and complete such a gruelling event. Getting your fuelling right during the race is key to ensuring your body can go the distance and completing the 5,164 stairs," Nikki emphasised.

The cultural and historical significance of the marathon added to the experience. "Doing it with so many Tri-ActiV8 members made the experience so special. The camaraderie of the tribe is amazing."

Rod Wood

The Tribe shared so many memorable moments from the marathon, "Towards the end of the marathon, when we were completing the second run along the Wall in the reverse direction, there were a lot of shared moments of pain, cramping, sharing gels, and buying soft drinks to push the body over the final 2,582 stairs and 562m of elevation. At the finish line, we all reunited one by one. So many smiles, stories, and hugs."

Training in Mackay played a crucial role in their preparation. "Blacks Beach stairs, internal fire escape stairs in high-rise buildings, efforts on local hills like High Street and Mt Bassatt, and the Conway Circuit were places where our athletes conditioned their legs and bodies."

Team dynamics were essential before and during the marathon. "There was lots of group training in the lead-up to the event. During the marathon, some athletes paired up, while others caught up to each other along the way, giving words of encouragement and not letting each other give up."

Reflecting on their achievements, Nikki said, "Everybody’s race and endurance were different, and everyone took from it different personal experiences about what they could have done differently and what they did well. As a tribe traveling to an event together, it reinforced the strength of our Tri-ActiV8 bond."

The dedication and spirit of the Tri-ActiV8 tribe continue to inspire, with the latest conquest of the Great Wall Marathon serving as a testament to the Tribe’s enduring passion and mateship. The remarkable achievements of Mackay's athletes have set a high bar, showcasing exceptional talent and determination on an international stage.