Day 709 – Australia – WA [Widgiemooltha (12 km north of) to Higginsville]

19/05/22

41.5km

  From Widgiemooltha (12km north of) (Western Australia) to Higginsville (Western Australia)

Australia

Goldfields, roadworks, gas pipeline, gimlet & blue bush and a big gold nugget

Getting my drink paid for at the Widgie Roadhouse

The first 15 km of today’s run were run on the Highway (Coolgardie-Esperance). This segment happens to be under redevelopment and there are workers all over the place for the whole 15 km to the Widgiemooltha roadhouse. It was such a pleasure! All the workers waved at me, encouraged me. There even was a car from Traffic Management following me for a while, the driver saying he would follow me “in case something happens”. I eventually released him of his duty, it would have been really boring very quickly! As I reached the Widgie roadhouse, one worker was there and offered to buy me my drink. What a treat.

Running on the wide shoulder of the highway

After this very enjoyable start, I continued on the Highway. I found it rather quiet. Most drivers waved at me. There was only one incident when one vehicle coming my way was too busy on his phone to spot me running on the shoulder. And when he eventually spotted me, he got suprised, starting to lose control of his vehicle and gave me the finger. I wasn’t even near the road, I was on the shoulder, a good 10m off of it! Anyway…

Gimlet trees and Blue bush

Then James joined me on his bike for the second time today. And he showed me around the gas pipeline track. The trail runs parallel to the highway but it’s not easy to find as the gas pipeline is buried. I think I would want to run on it all the way to Norseman. I am also surrounded by the biggest Eucalyptus forest in Australia. I had no idea there were up to 100 different types of eucalyptus trees. At the moment the landscape is characterized by the Gimlet tree and Blue bush. Beautiful.

Note: I finish the run in Higginsville – there is nothing there, just mining sites. In Widgiemooltha, where we are staying again tonight, stands the replica of the gold nugget thatv was found and prompted the gold rush in this area.

Enjoy the video of today’s run: https://www.relive.cc/view/v8qkB9gXGK6

Check my daily run GPS data on or

Here is the map of today’s run: