Others have joined more recently. The Bullants Bush Running Club is not just a running group, it is a community of like-minded individuals who love to explore the beautiful bushland of the Blue Mountains and enjoy each other's company.
The club was established in 1971 by a group of runners in the Lower Blue Mountains area who shared a passion for running in the bush and a good sense of humour. Since then, over 100 runners have joined the club and have enjoyed Sunday morning runs together.
The typical Sunday morning run starts at 7am from the School of Arts at Glenbrook in the Blue Mountains, although occasionally runs may start from other locations chosen by the run leader. The run leader, who typically leads from the rear, decides where the run should go. If any Bullant asks how long before a certain point is reached, the standard reply is always 10 minutes.
The runs usually cover tracks in the Blue Mountains National Park and can include a mix of road running, track running, bush bashing, creek bashing, swimming, and even rock climbing. The duration of the run can range from 1 to 3 hours, covering a distance of 10 to 25 km. To ensure that slower runners do not get too far behind, regroup points are set along the way. This is also a perfect opportunity for some joke-telling.
After the run, a smoko (morning tea) is held at the run leader's ranch, providing the Bullants with a chance to indulge in some delicious food and drinks. Smoko is known to be a competitive event, with some runners even fasting before the run in order to eat and drink more later. For many Bullants, smoko is as much of a draw as the run itself.
Each run is documented in archives usually by the run leader, and a tally is kept of completed runs. The previous week's run is read out at smoko, allowing the Bullants to ridicule the author for any errors or omissions. After completing about 6 runs in a row, a new runner is given a Bullant nickname by a naming committee in a special ceremony. Initially disliked, the nickname eventually grows on the runner and becomes an integral part of their Bullant identity.
Bullant attire consists of a yellow shirt with the Bullant logo on the front and the Bullant nickname on the back. Red shorts are optional, but many Bullants choose to wear them. It is recommended to wear old running shoes, and in winter, a thermal top and thin gloves are advantageous.
In addition to the Sunday runs, the Bullants Bush Running Club also conducts a Wednesday training run. The training run starts at 6:30pm sharp from the School of Arts at Glenbrook and typically takes about an hour. In winter, the run is a road run around Euroka Clearing in the Blue Mountains National Park, while in summer, it is around the Red Hands Cave walking track.
The Bullants come from diverse backgrounds and professions, including teachers, engineers, programmers, students, lawyers, doctors, mechanics, council workers, horticulturists, and salespeople. The club also welcomes runners from different countries, as evidenced by the inclusion of runners from Germany and Hungary. Many Bullants have been part of the club since its inception, while others have joined more recently.
Every year, the Bullants Bush Running Club holds an Annual General Meeting to elect office bearers. This meeting is not just about administrative matters; it is an occasion to come together, enjoy a barbecue, have some beer, eat snacks, tell jokes, and sing songs. It is a celebration of the Bullant community.
The Bullants Bush Running Club is a tight-knit group that not only shares a love for running in the bush but also forms lasting friendships. The club's unique traditions, camaraderie, and sense of humour make it a special community within the beautiful Blue Mountains.