PHOTO: RATS at their Trial Handicap Event in Mollymook - February 2016
The Ulladulla RATS started in the 1980's, when it was just a group of blokes who got together for a Sunday run.
During this time the group ran a successful Half Marathon, for many years, which was held on the undulating dirt tracks, out the back of Milton - and was billed as 'The Toughest Half Marathon in the State'.
Most of the group's Sunday runs where long bush runs, generally 2 hours plus. It was considered good sport to try and out run the other members of the group.
The name RATS was suggested by one of the original members, who was also a triathlete. RATS stands for: Runners And TriathleteS.
The 1990's saw the introduction of the RATS 10km & 5.5km Handicap Series, which continues to this day.
In 1999, Ken Saunders came to the area and joined the RATS. Ken had come from a much more inclusive running club in Sydney and brought this philosophy with him. He also organised a very successful local fun run, from Mollymook Beach, which went for several years, until insurance became too much of an issue. Two notable competitors of this event were, Andrew Lloyd and Heather Turland, both Commonwealth Games Medalists.
Barb Maxwell was one of the first female members to run with the club and her influence also helped to change the clubs dynamics, so that today, the RATS has over 70 members and just as many female runners as there are male.
The Ulladulla RATS now cater for all standards. Anyone who wants to join the club, either as a regular participant, or as a one time visitor, is always welcome.
During this time the group ran a successful Half Marathon, for many years, which was held on the undulating dirt tracks, out the back of Milton - and was billed as 'The Toughest Half Marathon in the State'.
Most of the group's Sunday runs where long bush runs, generally 2 hours plus. It was considered good sport to try and out run the other members of the group.
The name RATS was suggested by one of the original members, who was also a triathlete. RATS stands for: Runners And TriathleteS.
The 1990's saw the introduction of the RATS 10km & 5.5km Handicap Series, which continues to this day.
In 1999, Ken Saunders came to the area and joined the RATS. Ken had come from a much more inclusive running club in Sydney and brought this philosophy with him. He also organised a very successful local fun run, from Mollymook Beach, which went for several years, until insurance became too much of an issue. Two notable competitors of this event were, Andrew Lloyd and Heather Turland, both Commonwealth Games Medalists.
Barb Maxwell was one of the first female members to run with the club and her influence also helped to change the clubs dynamics, so that today, the RATS has over 70 members and just as many female runners as there are male.
The Ulladulla RATS now cater for all standards. Anyone who wants to join the club, either as a regular participant, or as a one time visitor, is always welcome.