The Great Breakaway Bolt begins with enthusiastic Coober Pedians celebrating Father’s Day in September 2009

The Great Breakaways Bolt  began as a casual conversation between two local Coober Pedy girls, Jayde Frew and Melissa Rosewarne. 

Jayde Frew and Melissa Rosewarne dealing the pre-"BOLT" paperwork

“Jayde Frew’s initial idea which sparked the THE GREAT BREAKAWAYS’ BOLT, was to do a run to the Breakaways as a personal challenge, said Melissa Rosewarne”.

After an added suggestion that Jayde could secure sponsorship and donate the proceeds to a good cause, the chat between the two girls soon evolved into the idea of a marathon style fundraising event involving the whole community.

Early September  became the target to coincide with Fathers Day,  when traditionally the community get together for a special day to honour Dads.   

Emergency Plan, event management plans and risk assessments all in place on the day

Knowing that Tanya Lauder the Child Care Links Officer at the District Council of Coober Pedy was currently making all efforts to raise funds for a new playground in town, Jayde and Melissa put their idea to her.

After some consideration, Tanya  Lauder organised for the event to become a Council driven initiative, for insurance and safety purposes.  In consultation with OHS Officer, Michelle Riha, Jayde and Melissa carefully went over logistics, organised sponsorship, advertising and liaised with Transport SA.  

Together the girls completed event management plans and risk assessments. Melissa and Jayde then set out to enlist and induct volunteers and so much more.

CPAS Teachers contingency all smiles as they prepare for the big BOLT

The event therefore  jointly marked Fathers Day, together with a massive fundraising effort by the whole community in their long term goal towards achieving an enhanced playground for the Coober Pedy kids.

“A mere eight weeks later there we were at the Town Oval on the 5th September 2009, with 68 participants, (including lots of Dads) whom of their own accord went out and gathered monetary sponsorship for their nominated amount of kilometres; which were 5, 10, 15, 20 or the full 35km (all of which goes towards the building of the  new playground.),” Melissa Rosewarne told us. ” In addition, we had 34 volunteers and an enormous quantity of community sponsorship plus a huge amount of community spirit”. 

Steve Staines pumps up the stroller tyres in case Skye needs a lift. Giordan ready to go on his bike

“After a small amount of mayhem we were on our way out to the Breakaways in a convoy of buses to begin what may now become an annual GREAT BREAKAWAYS’ BOLT”, added Melissa.

It was a perfect day topped off by early spring sun shine and a light breeze for the participants, who were enthusiastically on their mark and ready to BOLT from the Breakaways Lookout 1 by the designated time.

 The GREAT BREAKAWAYS’ BOLT began with Mums, Dad, kids, teachers, the whole motley lot,  either running, walking or riding, firstly down the main track from the Breakaways; the long trek past the dog fence and then all the way along the  Oodnadatta Road towards Town, all hoping to score a win or a place in their category.    

The long trek ahead as the GREAT BREAKAWAYS BOLT begins with participants scattered across the landscape in their bid to get back to Coober Pedy

Dave Wallbank, Derek Rowe and Curly. at the 10km Checkpoint

Safety stations manned by volunteers were located every 2.5km, all equipped with first aid, UHF/Mobile phones and most importantly water, powerade and fruit, all kindly donated by the Coober Pedy Miners Store.

 
Every 5km was a bus waiting to take all the participants into town once they had completed their nominated amount of kilometres.

As safety was a main priority we had a Safety Car and Port-a-loo (donated for the day by SLR Maintenance) and manned by the aptly named “Pooh Crew” travelling behind the last of the walkers. These  were accompanied by the local Coober Pedy Ambulance Crew, with a Police Safety Vehicle also travelling behind the last of  the runners.

Aunty Zaharulla Kyrtzaliotis on the home leg along the Oodnadatta Road, of the 35km ride with nephews Peter and Arthur Kyrtzaliotis

“Thankfully, we did not have to utilise the Ambulance or administer First Aid at all during the event”, said Melissa, “however we did have some surprises throughout the day, namely Tim Underwood cycling on his Unicycle for 4km, 7-year-old Sebastian Clark completing the full 35km on his bicycle.  Overall, the day was a huge success and we raised approximately 12,000.00 with more to come.”

Those who did the 35k distance then  made their way back  through Coober Pedy by way of Flat Hill Road, ending up once again at the gathering point on Oxiana Oval where everyone enjoyed Father’s Day celebrations with entertainment and a barbeque until 7pm at night.

Chris Holder came second in the 35km Cycle Ride

On behalf of the organisers, Melissa Rosewarne, said, “We would like to thank everyone who participated in the ‘BOLT’ and generously raised money. You all went to such an effort and it has certainly paid off. We would also like to thank all of our volunteers. You were incredible!! 

 We  hope all the participating Dads , their families and other friends will be up for the ‘BOLT’ again in 2010.  Everyone is welcome to join us.”

Coober Pedy’s Mayor Steve Baines, who actively participates in all community functions, particularly where youth and families are involved, said, “THE GREAT BREAKAWAYS’ BOLT was such an invigorating and worthwhile community activity, that I’d like to see it continue and grow annually as an event synonymous with the town and it’s incredible community spirit”.

Steve Baines, Coober Pedy's Mayor jaunts along with Coober Pedy now visible and team mates well behind

Steve who recently celebrated his 52nd birthday, ran the full 35km gamut and came fourth in the long distance run,   We asked the youthful mayor how he endured this massive 35km distance so effortlessly as compared to jogging around the oval twice a week during training sessions with the Coober Pedy Saints Footy team. 

Steve said “I was spurred on by team partners, Patrick Larkin of SAPOL and Mark Bell, Coober Pedy Saints football player/local resident.  I was able to keep up the pace, motivated by the fact that Patrick and Mark had fallen quite a distance behind.  It was a great incentive to get to the final post before the two young fellows were able to catch up.”

“Mayor, Steve Baines expressed considerable praise for the thorough attention to detail given by the organisers of  THE GREAT BREAKAWAYS’ BOLT and the Fathers Day Event.  

“It must be heartwarming for the parents of these young people to see them grow up in the outback and be able to learn and implement these vital functions of care and safety for the community, which they conducted with great professionalism whilst providing an exciting and  joyful day for everyone involved.  We at Council are extremely proud of these young adults”, Steve said.

15km checkpoint Bryce Tickner, Gilli Procopis and Shayne Nelson at checkpoint with participants

Volunteers

Checkpoint 2.5km & 25km
Janelle Inkster                
Melissa Rosewarne

Checkpoint 5km & 27.5km
Rachel Underwood        
Cristina Marijanovic  

Checkpoint 7.5km & 30km
Khurram Saleem         
Karin Bell (Declan & Corey Bell) 

Checkpoint 10km & 32.5km

Grant Maxwell ran 35km and was the First Runner to touch down at Oxiana Oval

Shannon Lane                 
Martin Grava      
          
Checkpoint 12.5km
Fevronia Simatos 
Gina Skipper 

Checkpoint 15km
Gilli Procopis 
Bryce Tickner  

Checkpoint 17.5km
Lois Watts   
Judith Harrold
 
Checkpoint 20km
Mandy Banks
Joy Palmer  

Luke Kenny looking very cheery was the First Cyclist in

Checkpoint 22.5km                                   Priscilla Larkins  
Lillian Fatt  

Support Vehicle 1- Pooh Crew
Aaron Clifton  
Paul Maduro   

Support Vehicle 2 – Police Vehicle
Nadine Goddard 
Deanna Holdrich  

Catacomb Bus – Checkpoint 5km & 20km
Brian Underwood  
Rose Berry

Umoona Health Bus – Checkpoint 10km
Mike Griffiths  
Joy Griffiths  Bus Support

Umoona Community Bus – Checkpoint 15km

On the road along the Dingo Fence are Joy Griffiths and Patricia Brown cyclist

Gary Bremer  
Shayne Nelson 

Town  Oval Support & Bus
Adele Kenny , Sharyn Baines, Julianne Donnelly  
Tanya Lauder 
 
Security
Duncan McLaren & Megan Gum –Gates

BBQ
Jayde Frew, Peter Kenny, Sharyn Baines, Judith Harrald, Julie Carmichael, April Grava, Tanya Lauder, Sophie Reynolds, Melissa Rosewarne, Janelle Inkster, Adele Kenny, Misty Mance, Terry Mackenzie

Hungry after the big BOLT are Gary Bremer, John Kustin and Carmelo Crisa and Martin Grava all from Coober Pedy with Bryce Tichner taking the opportunity to place bets on who would finish first

Participants:  5 Kilometre Run
Tania Lauder; Paul Leech

5 Kilometre Walk: Skye Staines; Steve Staines; Judy Underwood; Trish Turner; Joshua Carboni; Melissa Borrett; Jeff Bligh; Carolyn Bligh; Prue Clark

Judy Underwood and Elsie Carboni share a joke as they walk their allocated distance past the Dingo Fence with Ambulance close behind

5 Kilometre Cycle: Macauley Clark; Giordan Staines; Corby Borrett; Emma Borrett; Alex Carmichael; Nicky Carmichael; Josh Underwood 

The Bike trailer being secured for the trip out to the Breakaways

 10 Kilometre Walk: Vi Mance; Kevin Holland; Cassandra Holland; Miriam Kammermann; Kate McLeod; Trevor McLeod; Hayley Rudd; Megan Gum; Kristin Mance 

Miriam Kammermann, Kate McLeod and Trevor McLeod are some of the 10km Walkers preparing for their day in the desert

10Km Cycle: Hanna Underwood. 15Km Cycle:Stacey Mibus

15 Km Walk: Sophie Reynolds; April Grava; Erin Quinlan; Joanne Bethern: Ella Marijanovic: Siobhan Meechan; Elsie Carbone

Ella Marijanovic at Oxiana oval preparing for the 15km walk with husband Drago Marijanovic all set for the 27.5km Walk

 15 Km Run

 Elise Matthews; Aaron Shakes; Philip Garforth

17.5 Km Walk

Julie Carmichael; Dave Bowman;
 Drago Marijanovic; 

35 Km Walk

Wayne Jacobsen  1st  – Time 4.43.00;
Fonzi Nagy 2nd – Time 5.30.00

Jayden Watts: 2nd 35km Runner to touch down at Oxiana Oval

Dave Bowman and Julie Carmichael at the Oodnadatta Rd turnoff from the Dingo Fence on their 17.5Km Walk

More highlights of THE GREAT BREAKAWAYS BOLT

35km Runners William Banks and 'Mayor on a mission', Steve Baines get ready for refreshments on the run

35Km Cycle

Azharulla Kyrtzaliotis 1st Female Cyclist – Time 3.22.00; Peter Kyrtzaliotis  2nd Child Cyclist – Time 3.21.45; Arthur Kyrtzaliotis 1st Child Cyclist – Time 3.21.30
Dave Wallbank; Tania Curly Griffiths; Derek Rowe; Patricia Brown; Shirley Brown; Tim Underwood; Sebastian Clark; Nelly O’Toole;

Signs of life and signs of fatigue etc….  

Various teams patrolled the event route on the lookout for any hinderances on the track. Nobody seemed to notice this one

Mark Bell in the 35km Run with things looking a bit uphill on the home stretch