AFL Tan running times
I noticed that someone had searched for AFL Tan times on my blog. I even noticed that Brian Cook ( CEO of GFC was sneaking a look around my site when his security company popped up!). Powerful tool the net. Big daddy is always watching. So that stimulated me to say a few quick things about the TAN.
Anyway Tan Times. Funny subject this. I remember that Doctor Bruce Reid won the TAN Run in the late 80’s at Essendon. Not a player. He was training for marathons but had been a nippy rover in his youth. And then in those days with big lists all the guys who were trying out would win but never get to the first practice match. And if you listen to players of yesteryear they all have run the TAN in under 11 minutes. HA.
A player that would surprise as having a good TAN Run at Essendon was David Calthorpe. I know he ran well under 13 minutes at 90 plus kgs and won the 40 m sprint in 1992. That is why he could tag Bradley.
Mark Fraser also did a run in the mid 12’s in 1994 when I was at Collingwood. I saw him do a very easy 4 20 1500 on grass at Victoria Park. Hird didn’t break 13 minutes. Nearly did. Tony Shaw beat Fraser in a double TAN that year but was beaten in one lap. Geelong only ran the TAN once and poor old Lingy had no idea what the Anderson Street Hill would bring. Spriggs won it but geez can’t give the times because I would be divulging IP.
I do know that we packed up one year at Essendon at 17 minutes and were heading home and then Dean Wallis came around the corner. And he was followed by Dwayne Armstrong, Sheeds pet project in the 90’s form the US.
Oscar Kenda was a fitness person at EFC in the 90’s. Gary Moorcroft had run a shocking 16 or 17 minute TAN and Sheeds said he wouldnt draft or redraft him. A few weeks later Oscar ( who teaches at parade) pushed Gary Moorcroft to 15 minutes by running with him and Sheeds was happy and the rest is history. Even if Dean Wallis had run 28 minutes and cut through the Botanic Gardens, Sheeds would have not delisted him.
I even can enter into TAN mythology. I wanted to beat Choco Williams badly in 1995. I bolted up the hill at midfielders pace but at the top was a spent force. By the shrine I considered cremation. Choco bolted past me and I staggered home. Well a few weeks after I ran a tactical race. I stayed just behind Choco all the way and then used my fast twitch power surge to smash him 50metres from home.
And at GFC in 2000 Barry Stoneham was suspended one weekend. We met at the TAN and we took off. He bolted and I tried to keep up. I killed myself but after the Shrine had to let him go. Barry was a low 10 min 3km run and and an ex 400m champ. When I arrived back to the start he turned to me and asked me why I had started so fast. HA. I was about to ask him the same question. I went home and had a good sleep.
I am sure Richmond has got some cracker times because it is a course you can get used to. They seem to have done heaps of TANS over the years. It is funny how many clubs have staff members who often win these races. I think Paul Coburn ( physio) used to smash the course
But the main thing is to always remember when an old AFL player says he ran 12 23 for the TAN make sure you ask for some official data. And all you Essendon and Collingwood guys. I have old old ( dead sea scrolls) records of your TAN times from the 80’s and 90’s. Don’t lie. I don’t respect or trust old footballers who lie.
loris bertolacci 