Leslie has had the honour of winning the Queen of the Mountain twice in the Bendigo Bank Int. Mountain Challenge. She represented Pomona in New Zealand’s twin race in Kawerau. Leslie is a Pomona local and knows the mountain race like the back of her hand. Now she’s tackling a new challenge, passing on her knowledge to train future champions of the mountain.

You’ve been an exceptional runner, having won the Bendigo Bank Int. Mountain Challenge twice here in Pomona and also competed in the New Zealand race in Kawerau. What is it about these races that makes you get out of bed in the morning to tackle the challenge?

King of the Mountain has given me so much more than just that urge to get out there and train to run the best I can, it has given me some of the best friends who I see outside of race day, train with and compete in other events with. Being a teacher in Pomona, it really is such a special event to our community and I really appreciate all the work that goes on in the back ground organising the event. But most of all, when I started running KOM, I really wanted my own kids to be proud of me, run with me and now they are adults and living their own lives, the biggest gift KOM has given to me, is the opportunity to inspire my students and local kids to come and give this trail/mountain running a crack. The Prince and Princess race is my passion for young runners.

When you ventured to Kawerau, you saw junior runners come through the ranks in their prince and princess race. Guys like Daniel Jones and Shay Williamson. Did that inspire you do something more here, being a local resident of Pomona, for the prince and princess race here?

The first year I won the trip to New Zealand, Kawerau King of the Mountain, I had no idea there was a Prince and Princess race. We get taken to the local school each visit on the Friday before Saturday race day, and it just blows your mind how the kids treat you. It is so special. But the way those kids all were so connected to their mountain, the cultural ties just moved me. I watched them race before my race and I just had to bring that vision to have our own Prince and Princess race back with me. To hear the stories of past Prince’s such as Shay, Daniel who go on to win and become legends in the adult race just made me want our young runners to have a culture of youth to adult competing in KOM.

I’ve navigated the course for the Prince and Princess race, and it’s by means no easy task. The kids are actually heading up the climb towards Pomona and face quite a tricky decent coming down. How do you prepare the kids both physically and mentally being the organiser and trainer for this race? Has being a successful runner yourself made you think more about how you pass on your wisdom to the kids?

So being a teacher, I work with young people so it is really familiar being with them. When I run with them it really does change in that we share what’s going on either in the actual landscape but also what they are experiencing physically. Like I always say to them, I am constantly learning, watching other elite runners, my training partners sharing how we approach the run or training tips to improve our strength. Yes I have had some success and I pass on as much as I think will help them, but honestly mountain running is a real special event. It’s so challenging, and the kids really find the climb a challenge. Teaching them to focus on their strengths such as downhill, and the flat parts and work out where they can make ground is always a focus. Runners club has been so successful this year. Every Thursday we train, and I really talk about the mental approach to being on that mountain, how to connect with what you are doing in that moment.

What’s your hope for the future of the Prince and Princess race? Do you see it being a starting point for future great Australian trail runners. Have you seen any juniors come through the race and go on to be successful in the official race? Are you able to predict or ‘talent scout’ these juniors from an early age?

My hope, my vision for the Prince and Princess race, is that kids from all over the coast come to give our mountain a go. That our Prince’s and Princess’ come up into the main race. That we speak of the legends that they are coming from junior into senior and becoming King like Shay and Daniel in New Zealand. And most of all that one day the race is held on the main event day. That these kids get to run through an epic crowd hearing the cheers for them.

As we get older and run in differing categories. Do you still have that competitive streak as a runner? Are there any ‘battles’ against certain runners that you are looking forward to or are you more focused on training the juniors

Do I still have a competitive streak? Yes every day I work hard, not to win, that time has passed for me, but to achieve that time I set myself, and to know I had the courage to line up with amazing people who run that mountain race for charity, for physical goals, to make their kids or partner proud or just to be involved in such a brilliant community event.

Leslie’s best time at Pomona is 31:05 in 2019

Martin Saldais has been running the Pomona race since 2008. To his surprise that year, he ended up in the midfield after a year of dedicated training. It took him several years, but in 2017 Martin entered the ‘Sub-30’ club in the great race after coming agonisingly close a few times. I sat with Martin to find out what it takes to get into this club and what it means to him to have achieved his goal.

How long had you been trying to get under the sub 30 min mark, and did you think it was always possible?

When I ultimately got fitter and more competitive after my first attempt at Pomona, I tried to plan my training a bit better. Talking to others, to locals who ran the race. Trying to find out how they managed to get that time. I even spoke to the top three guys (not trying to copy them) just to get an insight into their training. I learnt that the adrenaline and the pace at the start had a big impact on their race times and they told me that they ‘fire’ just before the base. I finally got there in 2017, it took me a few years of trying though!

What did it mean to you when you came across the line in under 30 mins? Was it a milestone achievement?

It meant that what I thought was an impossible task was finally achievable. In 2012 I got 30:11! I was so fatigued and keeled over at the end of that race and I had had it! At the point of pure exhuastion. Even being that close, I asked myself how do I recover from this for next year both mentally and physically. It was a year of reflection and with some great planning and a longer pre-season training I finally got there! When I did achieve I wasn’t anywhere nearly as exhausted as the previous year.

What advice would you give to others who want to achieve the same milestone and how should they go about dedicating themselves to it?

Patience... It’s not something that will just happen overnight and your body has to adjust to the training and the style of running. Even though it’s a short race, it’s the toughest one I’ve done! I’d rank it even harder than my marathons which were on rough terrain and the Ultra marathon that I’m training for. I’d also add, don’t put all your energy into the one race, have other races to train for - both prior to KOM and after - If you just focus on the one race and then feel down about your result you can treat it as a stepping stone. You should plan a season and many other races. Get involved in the running community, there’s some great people out there to talk to.

You’ve ventured to New Zealand a few times for their sister race in Kawerau, they too have a sub club - but it’s sub 60. How do you feel that club compares to Pomona’s sub 30?

It’s very similar, the milestone that is, but the longer distance can make the New Zealand race seem harder. The atmosphere for the New Zealand race makes even entering it worthwhile. The other thing is the margin of error for achieving such a time at Kawerau comes down to the ascent I feel. The uphill climb is the same effort as Pomona - but twice as long. If you haven’t nailed that in the race then your time really suffers. That being said, the downhill element at New Zealand enables you to go really fast. Pomona is really tough on your legs and there’s a greater chance of injury so people guard themselves more. It’s a very technical descent and some people really make up for it in both races.

How has your recent running progress been, what events are you doing aside from Pomona?

It’s been good. I never used to train through summer. But now I do long slow runs and I feel pretty good, even with some hotter conditions. I’ve got niggles, but everyone does. I’m training for the UTA 50, which I’ve never done before, People like Ben Duffus will be doing it and the scenery is awesome!

What’s your best advice on race day, how do you mentally prepare for the great race?

I walk well away from the finish start line, warm up with a group of friends and make it a social aspect. You don’t want to be too serious and ignoring everyone but if you over think you can over act. I just have banter with my running mates and try to relax as much as possible. The race I did last year I was so relaxed, (even though it wasn’t the fastest). The top three obviously have a bit of pressure cause they are chasing times, but if you are just starting take it easy.

Martin’s best time at Pomona is 29:25 in 2017