The course was... lets say "testing" for want of a better word matagi.

It seemed to me that you were almost always going uphill to some extent. Now they're only steady little rises as you rightly point out, but when you're chasing the climbers (who are doing it easy) all day life get's a little less comfortable.

well done berny. bad luck on fading at the end, but you'll be back next year for another go. hope it's not in perth or darwin. or wagga