South Australian Marathon Alice Springs Pigeons
During the 1960’s legendary long-distance pigeon flyer, judge and journalist Vin Blanden, wrote a weekly article in “The Chronicle”, a South Australian Stock Journal.
I recall that Vin Blanden wrote about a common “fault” that he had regularly noted with Alice Springs pigeons: that they were often open across the back and that their tails did not fold neatly into one feather. Rather the tails were frequently one and a quarter to one and a half feathers wide (not to be confused with forked or split tails).
My recollection is that Vin Blanden also stressed the importance of Alice Springs pigeons being well balanced with strong backs and fine quality feather to withstand the rigours of flying such extreme distances.
My father and I were devoted readers of Vin Blanden’s column, and in particular the Champions of the Sky that demonstrated their character, fortitude and endurance by completing the Alice Springs to Adelaide Marathon.
My father’s dream of winning Alice Springs was realised in 1989 with a BCPH that I bred off an inbred son of our Rawlinna Marathon Winner (1,315kms) when mated to a hen that had won Alice Springs for Keith Pryor, that I purchased at his clearance sale.
In my father’s footsteps I remain a committed devotee of South Australian marathon pigeons. With a view to sharing what I consider important to be a successful flyer of marathon pigeons, I offer the following for readers’ consideration.
Genetic Prophecy
The Australian Horse Racing scene was blessed with Champion mares Winx and Black Caviar. Both were exceptional, true champions, but neither would ever have won the Melbourne Cup. It simply was not in their genetic makeup. Makybe Diva however, was a mare that demonstrated the character, endurance, and fortitude to win the Melbourne Cup on multiple occasions.
The same principle applies to human athletics where legendary sprint king Usain Bolt impressed us all with his power and speed. However, Usain Bolt would never have won the Olympic marathon. Once again it simply was not in his genetic makeup.
What lessons can we learn from the body type of Olympic Marathon winners?
Fanciers wanting to perform well and win Marathons like Alice Springs would be well advised to procure breeding stock from fanciers who have regularly performed well (winners or top 10 placegetters) from that distance.
As hens have far and away outperformed cocks from Alice Springs, I am a firm believer in mitochondrial inheritance and subscribe to the Queen Bee genetic model of line breeding.
Body Type
Heeding Vin Blanden’s advice that marathon pigeons need to be “well balanced” and have strong backs; what does this look like in real terms? Firstly, the birds need to have proportionate body behind their legs, not like some families of sprint pigeons that have powerful chests but no body or balance behind their legs. The back needs to be broad and straight, not concave with lifting tails like some families of European sprint pigeons.
My observation of Olympic Marathon runners, and crack mountain climbers in the cycling Tour de France, is that they are most frequently much smaller and lighter in frame than the sprinters or middle-distance champions.
Accordingly, my preference is for pigeons of slightly smaller than average size. The power to weight ratio is important.
When race fit, the pigeon should feel light and buoyant with full muscle development that is sticky and spongey to touch (a bit like an under inflated football).
I have a strong dislike for long legged or knock-kneed pigeons, and long necked pigeons.
Character and Intelligence
Champion pigeons are often inquisitive and will be observant of the owner every time they approach or enter the loft. They will often engage in attention seeking behaviours (peck at or stand on your feet, or helicopter in front of you) or follow you as you move around the loft.
I have noted the heads of marathon pigeons to often be “short-faced” and with a pronounced bump, centrally located above and slightly before the eyes.
My theory is that this “bump” is linked to the stronger homing instinct required by marathon pigeons to “lock in” to home from distances over 1,000 kms.
Eyes
Although pearl, nutmeg and red eyed birds have performed well from Alice Springs my preference is for yellow eyed birds (same colour as owls = night flyers). Whatever colour the eye, I look for a bird with exceptionally “brilliant bright” eyes.
Wing and Feather
My preference is for birds with strong wing butts that feel solid when you open their wing.
I like to see a noticeable step up from the primaries to the secondary flights. I particularly look for significant curvature of the secondary flights, with ample venting between the last four flights.
Feather quality is of extreme importance. I strive for birds with high tensile and super fine quality silky feather. When flexed the last flights should bounce back with a noticeable flicking sound. I strictly avoid coarse, soft, or buff feathered birds (many but not all imports have such feather).
Age and Performance
For horse racing’s world famous “The Melbourne Cup,” horses aged between four and six years old have won more than ninety percent of the races over the years. No yearlings or two-year old’s have ever won the event.
Historically, whilst the odd exceptional young hen performed well from Alice Springs, the overwhelming majority of young birds entered in the marathons failed to make it home.
These experiences prompted the SAHPA Long Distance Committee (now the SAHPA Long Distance Club) to introduce a ruling that only mature birds (of two years old and older) may be eligible for entry in the annual Alice Springs Marathon.
I have endeavoured to learn from Olympic Marathon runners and swimmers, both in their preparation for the event, and for their recovery afterwards.
My own experience has been that our best long-distance performances have been from two, three and four-year old hens that were lightly raced as youngsters. My guiding principle has been up to 5 races for first round youngsters, 4 races for second round, and a maximum of 3 races for post-Christmas bred youngsters.
Training
Preparation, preparation, preparation.
Whilst I do regularly utilise the SAHPA tossing unit, as it provides birds with an opportunity to learn to break from the mob, I also toss regularly on my own. My birds are generally tossed from all directions so that they are well orientated and get to learn various landmarks.
I select my team for Alice Springs well before the start of the season and design a training program for the team once the SAHPA race program is finalised.
I try to ensure that all the team fly in-excess of the race distance at least 3 to 4 weeks before the event. (Add total of preparation races and tosses; with 1 ½ to 2 hours daily exercise around the loft not included)
The team will then only exercise around the loft until they are basketed for the event.
Important note: Although I favour a 3-week window between races for distances up to 1,000kms; for the Alice Springs marathon I am firmly convinced that a four-week window is preferential, as birds will need a reserve of body fat to break down and convert into energy when they “hit the wall” on the second day.
Feeding
I feed a mixture of Peas, Wheat, Maize, Safflower and Sorghum striving for a 16 to 18% protein level to maintain and build muscle crucial for endurance events.
Yours in our Sport: Greg Kakoschke July 2019 / updated 2024
Most Successful Flyers from Alice Springs 2013 to 2024
Note: Data sourced from official South Australian Homing Pigeon
Association website / Results.
1. Greg Kakoschke
285 Agg Pts
2. Nick Albanos
241 Agg Pts
3. Vasil Curea*
163 Agg Pts
3. Geoff Rayment; Bronte Andrewartha
163 Agg Pts
3. Bronte Andrewartha; Warren Marsh
163Agg Pts
6. Perry Burton
133 Agg Pts
7. Gavin Harris
119 Agg Pts
8. Tim Fawcett
117 Agg Pts
8. John Crummey *
117 Agg Pts
10. David Buxton & B Snyders
110 Agg Pts
* Denotes no longer active flyer
Emerging LDC Champions
Tim Fawcett & Geoff Jackson
Geoff Rayment & Bronte Andrewartha
Rick & Len Drew
Greg Kakoschke