The sun shone! … This may not sound like earth-shattering news – though we are so used to this race being held in the dead of Winter under a thick frost, that today's pleasant, sunny conditions came as a newsworthy surprise.

 

There was a special ambience to today's races, a lightness of mood pervading as the public holiday blended with the mild conditions and serene parkland setting. On days like these, smiles are worn easily and a run in the park seems the perfect salute to life.

 

The 2 mile race this morning saw some exceptional runs from some of our younger competitors – none more so than Keely Small, who celebrated her 10th birthday only a few days ago, and finished in 12:05, only 2 seconds away from winning the race outright.

 

Tom Sharp was the only male in front of her, his 12:03 gaining him the main prize. Not far behind was the 1st Under 13 boy – Henry Illingworth in 12:22. Trish Pollock was 1st in the Female 17 and Over category in 16:06; while Emily Alder took out the Girls Under 17 prize in 20:24.

 

The 5 mile race saw a scintillating run from the sprightly Natasha Cole, setting a new course record of 29:27 which placed her 3rd outright, and 8 minutes ahead of her nearest rival. Natasha was headed only by two young speedsters in Stuart Grey (28:30) and Joshua Torley (28:35) who staged a spirited race from go to woe.

 

First Male 50-59 was David Alder in 32:47; with Jim White first in the Male 60-69 in 43:10. Margaret Phillips led home the Women 50-59 in an excellent 42:50.

 

Craig Benson led the Half-Marathon field from the first lap and was never headed, finishing in 1:21:28 from Chey Pettingill (1:22:35) and Anthony Kennedy (1:22:55).

 

Sara Burgess ran an outstanding race to place 6th outright, winning the women's race convincingly in 1:26:53. Janine Bothe led the Women 50-59 with an impressive 1:44:49; and Diana SSchneider the Women 60-69 in 2:03:08.

 

Richard Faulks took out the Men 50-59 in 1:34:04; not far behind the winner of the Men 60-69, the ever-green Peter Clarke in 1:31:21. Lachlan Lewis flew the flag for the Men 70 and Over category, finishing smiling and strong in 2:36:47.

 

Full results by age category are published, including split times for every mile in each distance – and an excellent photo album of the many faces that made this morning so memorable.