For the first time, the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra has a team in the world’s toughest road half marathon – the Point to Pinnacle.
The popular annual event began in 1995, with the course extending from Hobart’s Wrest Point Casino to the summit of Kunanyi / Mount Wellington.
TSO musician Dinah Woods (cor anglais and oboe) is a keen member of the TSO’s unofficial running club – nicknamed the TSO Turbo Chooks – and created the team mascot artwork above.
She's taking part for the first time alongside fellow TSO musicians and staff members - opting for the shorter Point to Pub version that finishes at Fern Tree Tavern part way up the mountain.
‘The knowledge that you can run 10k gives you confidence that you can do the equivalent in getting through a strenuous symphony or solo,’ she says.
While she’s an experienced cross country runner, Dinah says the 400+ metres of elevation in the Point to Pub is very much on her mind leading up to the event.
‘I’ve been trying to do more hills in my training and calf raises and squats. Probably not enough though. I guess I'll find out,’ she says.
Get to know Dinah and her fellow TSO Turbo Chooks below.
Dinah Woods – Principal Cor Anglais / Tutti Oboe
Secret skills/obsessions: Scrabble and other wordgames; winter cross country running.
Eloise Fisher – Principal Bass Clarinet / Tutti Clarinet
Secret skills/obsessions: Competing in athletics competitions local to international, including this year's World Masters Athletics Championships in South Korea.
Emma McGrath – Concertmaster
Secret skills/obsessions: Conducting; singing; galivanting (AKA bushwalking).
Adrian Whitehall – Tutti Double Bass
Secret skills/obsessions: Writing music; DJing; watching and playing sport.
Lara O'Brien – Orchestra Librarian
Secret skills/obsessions: Playing pickleball and viola (not at the same time); seals and sea lions.
Edwina George – Tutti Violin
Secret skills/obsessions: Heli-skiing (skiing in remote alpine locations that can only be reached by helicopter).
Melissa Woodroffe – Principal Contrabassoon / Tutti Bassoon
Secret skills/obsessions: Video games (extremely good at Mario Kart); food and wine.
Rachel Bullen – Acting Principal Oboe
Secret skills/obsessions: Modular origami!
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