Stanley Lambchop heads out with the Wombat Warrior for the Perth City to Surf...

Stanley heads into Perth

Aside from commentating what turned out to be a fantastic day of racing at this year's Perth Chevron City to Surf, the Wombat Warrior was charged with ensuring that Flat Stanley was kept safe while taking on the field in the multiple events throughout the day. This task was set by the year 1 and 2 students in room 2, at West Beechboro Primary School.

Stanley's day began at 4am when he drove down from the Wombat's burrow and headed into Perth to meet with fellow commentator, Jon Kappler. The drive was an easy one with very little traffic of the roads at this hour and this provided time for Stanley with an opportunity to ask any questions that he had on his mind about the busy day ahead.

Stanley rides briefly with the Race
Director Chris Letts.

Stanley assigned his media
pass access all areas

Once in Perth Stanley parked the vehicle in the Esplanade Car Park and started walking to the Terrace, where he met with Race Director Chris Letts for final instructions and was also assigned with his media pass for the day. This would allow him to move freely around with the athletes and get into and out of restricted areas without any concerns.

Light rain began to fall just prior to the start of the marathon event which delayed the planned 6am start by about 5 minutes. This gave Stanley an opportunity to meet with and talk to an Australian icon in distance running , Craig Mottram. Mottram competed in the 2000 Sydney Olympic games over the 5000m, was a bronze medalist in the 2005 World Championships in Helsinki and a silver medalist in the 2006 Commonwealth Games over 5000m.

Stanley chats with Craig
Mottram prior to the marathon
start.

Marathon.

Shortly after this chat Stanley took up commentating duties in the lead vehicleas the marathon got under way. The event was a cracker with John Ryui   of Kenya pushing hard from the front early in the race and making a small break at the 3km mark. By 14km this gap had closed and Ryui was joined by eventual race winner Luka Chelimo, Lilan Kennedy and Fredderick Kipchumba. Through the picturesque Kings Park this group worked however, once out of the park Chelimo put on the accelerator and really pulled away for a convincing win. Stanley had little time for rest as he quickly headed back to the start to join the half marathon field in the Terrace again. 

Stanley leads the 12km event

Stanley got a little carried away at this point and on hearing ACDC pump through the speakers joined the field to head up Malcom Street for the 21km journey.  The Wombat Warrior soon caught up with the exuberant Stanley and reminded him that we needed to call the 12km event. Stanley quickly joined us in time to see Harry Summers pulling away from Brandon Hargreaves and Neil Berry to take a convincing victory on the 12km blue ribbon event. Once at the finish line for the second time in three hours Stanley mixed with the crowd, pumped out some tunes through the PA and meet with the Chevron cheerleader squad.

To the class of room 2 I hope that Stanley had a fantastic day at the 2013 Perth Chevron City to Surf.

Stanley gets the medal

Stanley and the Chevron Cheer Squad

Stanley pumps the crowd

Stanley meets the captain (L) Jackson Passeri 

and vice captain (R) Nathan Wytkin from Guidlford 

Grammar , two of the competitors in this year's 

12km event