Sri Chinmoy Centennial Park 14 km, 7 km & 4 km Race Report

With thunderstorms and heavy rain predicted, who would have thought that runners' biggest challenge would be a consistently blazing hot sun?

Yes, the predicted storm came – with a vengeance – but not until the final pack-up had been completed and all runners safely on their ways home.

The finale of the Sri Chinmoy Sydney Series for 2011 saw a sizeable but sociable field spread between the three distances of 4 km, 7 km and 14 km (2 laps of the 7 km course).

Highlight of the day was the race between Ross Johnson and Phil Bradshaw in the 14 km. Both ran well under the previous course record (and at a faster pace than anyone in the 7 km or 4 km events), with Ross eventually pulling away to win in 48:12, just 7 seconds clear of Phil. Chadi Elashkar was with them through the first lap, and held on for 3rd placing in 49:42. John Dawlings narrowly missed the record for his Male 50-59 category, winning in 1:01:37, while Sid Astbury again took out the Men 60-69 in a fine 1:07:39.

Kristen Sukkar won the Women's 14 km in 1:00:32, while there was a battle royale for 2nd between Amy Curtis (1:01:17) and Anna Helstrom (1:01:19). Raewyn Harlock came in 4th woman overall, and easily broke the Women 50-59 course record with her outstanding 1:01:53. Many commented how grateful they were that the 14 km, 2-lap option was staged today in preference to the Half-Marathon (3-lap) race sometimes held over this course, as the sun became quite oppressive in the second lap.

17-year-old Jak Bukovinsky pulled away from Matt Carroll to take out the 7 km race in 25:12 from Matt's 25:21. David Riches defended his Male 50-59 title with 26:46; while Ian Burke led home the Men 60-69 in 52:31 and Edward McMaster the Men 70 and Over in 49:14.

Courtney Sanford had a convincing win in the Women's 7 km with 29:24. Rosamund Plummer took out the Women 50-59 in 40:41; and Renee Reynolds continued her winning ways in the Women 60-69 with an excellent 43:51.

In the 4 km event, the Girls Under 13s was won by Sianna Steele in 16:54; the Girls Under 17s by Charlie Rose Iron in 18:30; and the Female 17 and Over by Jennifer Stevens in 16:58. Max Jameson took out the Boys Under 13 in 16:44; Daniel Watchorn the Boys Under 17 in 15:20; and Davor Zailac the Male 17 and Over in 15:39.

Full results by category are published, along with a photo album from the morning.

The Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team wish all runners a wonderful Christmas. The Sri Chinmoy Sydney Series will return in 2012.