Hurstbridge Line. (Part 1) Jolimont to Dennis

JOLIMONT. 6/1/2017. 4th Run. 13.8 km.

Still exploring the logistics of doing some of the inefficient stations. Decided that once I had got to Flinders St from Elsternwick it wasn’t worth the 10 min wait for a train going through Jolimont. Instead, set off on foot and ran to Jolimont. Turns out I got to Jolimont and left for my run home before my first train option had even left Flinders St - good call. Scenic route home around MCG, AAMI Park and across the river to the “Tan”. Ran into ex Mars workmate (Troy McKinna) so not such a big city after all. Nice run home in warmish conditions. Only 206 stations to go.

WEST RICHMOND. 19/4/2017. 41st Run. 12.8 km.

Another station that was inefficient to reach via the train system. This time it was easier to get off at Richmond and run the 1.4 km to West Richmond station rather than go into Flinders and change. Attempted to exit the Richmond station via the gates that head towards the MCG until I realized they are only open for sporting events. So back to Swan St exit and around the corner. Not sure why they can’t have one gate open on that side of the station given it doesn’t need to be staffed? Easy run home from West Richmond with Church and Chapel St nice and quiet at that time of the day.

NORTH RICHMOND. 30/5/2017. 57th Run. 13.7 km.

Wet, wet, wet. Good band but terrible running conditions. Caught the 5:57 am from Elsternwick and should have taken my rain jacket, but it didn’t look like rain as I left home - admittedly it was dark and I couldn’t see. Another station that was easier to run to from Richmond station so got there I exited and headed North. By the time I got to North Richmond it was raining quite steadily but I still got my selfie at the station and headed south down Church and Chapel St. Once your wet it hardly matters anymore. Stopped at the lights on corner of Alexander Av and Chapel and met another runner. “It could be worse” he said with a smile. At that stage it was pouring but no hail so he was probably right, just. Soggy run for the rest of the way and whilst my shower at home was just as wet, it was at least warm.

COLLINGWOOD. 4/2/2017. 14th Run. 12.5 km.

One of the few stations that I ran twice. The first time was early in the challenge and I didn’t get a selfie so I reran it on 25/6/2018. The first run was Saturday and with no mid week run due to work travel, I felt pretty fresh. Didn’t realize that the whole station was elevated, means sky rail was around much longer than I thought. Warm day but early start meant I beat the heat. Second run was very different. After work and trains crowded after 5:26 pm train was cancelled. Squeezed onto next train but many missed out. One cancelled train can make such a difference at peak hour. Got my selfie and nice run home. Slight detour towards the end to visit friends but no one home. I’m a Collingwood supporter so running this station twice makes sense.

VICTORIA PARK. 4/3/2017. 25th Run. 15.2 km.

Another of the more significant runs, visiting the original home of the mighty magpies, Collingwood. Up early to catch the 8:03 am train with daughter Eliza who after months of looking has finally found a house to rent with friends. Changed at Richmond and got to Victoria Park on a beautiful Saturday morning. First game was on 13/5/1892 and Saturday’s would have been busy here during footy season for 100 years. Took the opportunity to walk out onto the ground - still a nice surface. Did a lap of the stadium and headed home. Easy navigational run although probably not the most direct route.

CLIFTON HILL. 12/7/2017. 72nd Run. 14.6 km.

The first of the triple train ride stations. Also close to as cold as it gets in Melbourne at 2 degrees. Caught 5:37 am train to Richmond, quick change to get into Parliament and then out again to Clifton Hill. With the cold and the transits I’m glad I worn the skins and long sleeve. Living in Ballarat meant these clothes were well used. Left Clifton Hill and had to wait for train at the Ramsden St crossing. I then realized I was standing outside the house that Julian Knight started his Hoodle St massacre from in 1987. In fact it was just 3 weeks until the 30 year anniversary. With a bit of fog in the air and just on dawn, it felt a bit creepy. Took a while to fully warm up but a pretty straight forward run home. I did decide to swap over from Punt Rd to Chapel St as it seems a bit more interesting.

WESTGARTH. 21/12/2017. 110th Run. 15.6 km.

Intended to run Westgarth last Monday 18th but given I messed up the transition at Parliament, I decided to have another go. Caught the same Elsternwick train at 5:37 am changed at Richmond and then got it right this time and was at Westgarth by 6:17 am. Very much a deja vu feeling as only the first 400 m was different from the run I did from Rushall 3 days earlier. Again ran down Chapel St, only this time there were no “clubbers” lined up to get into the night club. Much cooler day so felt really good. Ran past Plain Sailing, a new restaurant that opened yesterday in Elwood only 300 m from my home - looks good.

DENNIS. 9/3/2018. 128th Run. 15.1 km.

Decided to try a Friday night after work run to avoid the traffic going to the coast on a long weekend. Probably the hottest start to a run so far with the temperature around 34 degrees to start. Just missed the 109 tram from Port Melbourne into Southern Cross but then excellent change at Southern Cross got me to Dennis around 6 pm. Busy on the roads down Punt Rd during peak hour but even busier on the footpaths down Chapel St. Lots of dodging of bars, diners and shoppers. Note to self, this might not be the best time to run along Chapel St. Home around 7:15 pm and quick turn around to head to Torquay.