NEWS
NINETY THOUSAND STEPS IN 1440 MINUTES
The 24 Hour Hike was more than just an endurance event
SCENES FROM THE 24 HOUR HIKE
It takes a total of 200 muscles to complete one step . There are approximately 1550 steps in just one kilometre , which means that as a Scotch collective , boys walked an average of 90,000 steps , walking constantly for 1440 minutes in the 2021 24 Hour Hike . The hike took place on 4 and 5 March at Mt Disappointment , 60km north of Melbourne .
However , this barrage of statistics cannot illustrate the agony in my feet and legs which I felt trudging off the bus after what felt like an eternity – a full 24 hours of hiking in challenging terrain .
The 24 Hour Hike has long been a proud facet of Scotch College ; an amalgamation of qualities for which all Scotch boys and staff take pride . Boys persevere , strive to deliver their very best effort , while knowing the goal goes beyond personal satisfaction – to lend a hand to less privileged citizens in Sierra Leone .
My mission to hike a century commenced at a blistering pace . My squad , commanded by Fredrik Martin ( Year 11 ), marched our first 30km with ease . We walked with such proficiency that our minds became complacent and we allowed ourselves a cascade of confident self-congratulatory remarks .
However , our conviction was stopped in its tracks when one of our men began to falter . This sudden halt to our marching rhythm left me acutely aware of the pain in my left calf , but also tested me in other more significant ways . Suddenly I had to worry about what truly meant more : the elusive century or the wellbeing of one of my Scotch brothers ?
Moments like these were ubiquitous throughout our hiking experiences . Who would have thought that following a track , often walking in straight lines for a whole day , would have so many dilemmas ?
Scotch has certainly found a winning formula ; the hike has been running smoothly since 1965 . This year a total of 119 hikers – 117 boys and two staff – walked an average of 58km , around the base
of Mount Disappointment . This monumental task was valiantly led by Mr Oatley , with the significant contribution of 23 boys and 13 staff members who provided support , through food , first aid and administrative assistance .
We commend the achievements of those who showed themselves exceptionally athletic and resolute in character . The winners of the Andrew Kelso Award ( for the longest distance hiked ) were Harry Shao , Charlie Lines-Perrier ( both of Year 12 ) and Rory Vial ( Year 9 ). Each boy walked an astonishing total of 110.2km .
Rory Vial deserves particular congratulations , as he made history by being the first Year 9 boy ever to win both the Andrew Kelso Award and the Roger Slade Award ( for the longest distance walked by a Year 9 boy ). These winners showed courage , determination and commitment to their goals , which they each achieved in stunning fashion .
However , the 24 Hour Hike is ultimately about offering aid to those less fortunate , and this year all the money raised will be donated to the Bo Children ’ s Hospital in Sierra Leone . The Bo Children ’ s Hospital website reveals that the life expectancy , for both men and women , in Sierra Leone is exactly half that of Australia . This dismaying statistic is attributed to the malnourishment and poor water quality in the country , and also is the result of Sierra Leone ’ s tragic maternal mortality rates . We are grateful that the efforts of the boys and staff and the donations raised will support our brothers and sisters in Sierra Leone .
The 24 Hour Hike is one of many ways Scotch boys find the means to help the wider community . Whether through one of Scotch ’ s many charitable programs or an individual effort , boys are encouraged to seek opportunities to give back to others in our global community .
EDWARD MANDERSON – YEAR 11
28 Great Scot Issue 162 – April 2021