Sri Chinmoy Sydney Series 8, 2011: Iron Cove Race Report

It's not every day that a multiple world record-holder pops up at a humble Sri Chinmoy race around Iron Cove. 

Keith Bateman certainly made an impression today with his famous fluent style and ready smile, comfortably winning the 8 km race outright in a new course record time for Men 50-59 of 27:47.  A leading coach and proponent of "barefoot running", Keith's running is the best glowing advertisement for his methods.  Not to be outdone, his counterpart in the Women 50-59, Grace Stone also flowed through the course in a new age group-best time of 38:59.

Roussos Alexopoulos was next home after Keith, winning the Men Under 50 category in 29:02, just ahead of Paul Case and Greg Greene.  Elwyn Elms took out the Men 60-69 in 40:47; and Edward McMaster the Men 70 and Over with 55:40, just ahead of his only rival today, Jim Beisty in 55:59.

Isabelle Crouche was fastest woman on the course with her fine 33:08, well clear of the field and mixing it with the faster men.  Renee Reynolds won the Women 60-69 in 48:23.

Iron Cove is a popular venue to say the least, and when Sydney turns on a day like today, who can stay indoors?  Add to this natural effusion of activity, a cycling event that passed right through today's course and there were certainly a few challenges to surmount beyond the runners' usual reluctant mind and protesting body.

Dan Colquhoun was a start-to-finish winner in the 4 km race, clocking an excellent 15:10 despite the obstacle course.  Also under 16 minutes was Davor Zailac in 15:53.  Next home came Under 13 Boys winner Hayden Brown with 16:35, ahead of Under 17s Boys first place, Jackson Lee in 16:53.

Megan Milekovic led the Under 13 Girls with her fine 20:22; ahead of Hayley Riches and Carla O'Donnell; then all the Over 17 Female division led by Vicky Gall in 21:10.

Meanwhile in the 16 km race, Neil Pearson ran solo and unchallenged for an excellent 57:19, with Pete Conway also breaking the 1-hour mark with his 59:30.  John Dawlings took out the Men 50-59 in 1:09:46; with Sid Astbury leading home the Men 60-69 with 1:15:59.

Mary Tuka (1:12:42) won an absorbing duel with Alisia Barrell (1:12:45) in the Women's race.  Rosamund Plummer took out the Women 50-59 with her 1:44:58.

Full results by age category for all 3 distances are published, along with a photo album from around the course.