Sri Chinmoy Half-Marathon, 5 & 2 Miles
A traditional test of speed and endurance on a classic one-mile loop in a refreshing garden and lakeside setting...
About the event
The Canberra Sri Chinmoy Half-Marathon is held annually on a scenic one-mile loop in and around Lennox Gardens, and is joined by two classic 'imperial' distances now rarely held in Australia: a 5 Mile and a 2 Mile Race. The Sri Chinmoy Half-Marathon, 5 Mile and 2 Mile races will next be held on Sunday 16 August 2020.
The course is a certified one-mile loop on cycle path and road.
Race start for the Half-Marathon is 9 am.
The 2 Mile Race and 5 Mile Race commence at around 9.30 A.M. Both the 2 Mile and 5 Mile Races employ the same loop course as the Half-Marathon.
As this race is staged in Winter in Canberra, conditions are sometimes quite cold for the start, so bring your gloves and bini.
Distance
Half-Marathon (21.1km); 5 miles (8km); and 2 miles (3.2km)
View course map »
Start time
- 9 A.M. for Half-Marathon
- 9.30 A.M. for 2 & 5 miles
Cost
- $13 (2M); $27 (5M); $31 (HM)
- ONLINE ENTRY ONLY. NO ENTRIES ON THE DAY.
Contact
Prachar Stegemann
Award categories
- 21.1km: 1st to 7th M & F Under 50; 1st to 3rd M & F 50-59; 1st and 2nd M & F 60-69; 1st M & F 70+
- 5 miles: 1st to 3rd M & F Under 50; 1st to 3rd M & F 50-59; 1st and 2nd M & F 60-69; 1st M & F 70+
- 2 miles: 1st to 3rd M & F Under 13; 1st to 3rd M & F Under 17; 1st to 3rd M & F 17 and Over
Course records
The following are course records since 2004. Faster times were set in earlier years for the Half-Marathon, but sadly have not been recorded...
| Distance | Age Category | Male | Time | Date | Female | Time | Date |
| 2 Miles | Under 13 | Joshua Torley | 11:20 | 14/6/2010 | Rebekah Sawkins | 12:28 | 9/6/2008 |
| 2 Miles | Under 17 | Matthew McGrory | 11:05 | 8/6/2015 | Keely Small | 11:33 | 8/6/2015 |
| 2 Miles | 17 and Over | Tim Barnett | 10:50 | 9/6/2019 | Jessica Jefferys | 13:27 | 10/6/2013 |
| 5 Miles | Under 50 | Jeffrey Van Gangelen | 27:49 | 12/6/2017 | Natasha Cole | 29:45 | 14/6/2010 |
| 5 Miles | 50 - 59 | Steve Rohan-Jones | 30:29 | 16/8/2020 | Liz Simpfendorfer | 40:09 | 9/6/2014 |
| 5 Miles | 60 - 69 | Paul Archer | 35:03 | 14/6/2010 | Elizabeth Simpson | 38:13 | 16/8/2020 |
| 5 Miles | 70 and Over | Eric Hodge | 40:31 | 9/6/2014 | Rae Palmer | 51:59 | 16/8/2020 |
| Half-Marathon | Under 50 | Joshua Torley | 1:14:22 | 12/6/2017 | Natalie Wood | 1:24:33 | 9/6/2008 |
| Half-Marathon | 50 - 59 | Geoff Hawke | 1:21:38 | 9/6/2008 | Sue Archer | 1:42:35 | 9/6/2008 |
| Half-Marathon | 60 - 69 | Peter Clarke | 1:29:18 | 11/6/2012 | Clare Wall | 1:52:26 | 16/8/2020 |
| Half-Marathon | 70 and Over | Kevin Chapman | 2:03:30 | 9/6/2014 | Caroline Campbell | 2:09:57 | 10/6/2013 |
Previous Results
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2020 Aug 16thSri Chinmoy Lennox Gardens Half-Marathon, 5 Mile & 2 Mile races, Sunday 16 August 2020Results (PDF Download)Race Photos
There’s always a positive side, and it’s so much more enriching than its counterpart. Having to go without racing for some time – and with many in Australia and elsewhere still not able to participate – has made us all appreciate how lucky we are to enjoy such a blessing. When conditions at a race are tough – cold, hot, hills, wind, rain, mud, dust – organisers (who are usually enduring the same challenges) hear a good amount of grumbling. Yet today – despite an unremitting wind never departing the course for a moment – we heard nothing from anyone but flowing appreciation and glowing gratitude. So thank YOU to all who participated in such good spirits, determined to make the most of the occasion, for it is you who made this such an occasion to savour…
From the moment the World Peace Bell sounded the start of the Half-Marathon, it was clear Ken Gibson and Penny Slater would each be running solo today, each remaining focussed, smooth and elegant in the face of all the wind could throw at them from the lake. Ken ultimately broke the tape with 1:15:02 on the clock, nearly 6 minutes clear of former race winner Craig Benson in 1:20:54, ahead of a close tussle for 3rd between Aston Duncan’s 1:22:24 and Andrew Proctor with 1:22:38. Meanwhile, in 3rd outright, Jason Keane just missed out on the Male 50-59 course record with his superb 1:21:58, ahead of his closest rival on the day, Kerry Baxter with 1:33:18 and James Hipwell’s 1:33:48. David Clarke took out the Male 60-69 with 1:34:53, from Peter Hoefer (1:40:46) who just held off Kieron Blackmore’s 1:41:13. Bill Arthur took out the Male 70 and Over with an indefatigable 2:42:02.
Penny Slater went on to win the women’s race by an even larger margin than Ken in the men’s event, taking the day with an impressive 1:26:03, from Linda Edstrom at 1:42:53, Amanda McCormack’s 1:44:59 and Caitlin Davis with 1:45:52. Evergreen and ever-cheerful Kerrie Vaughan was fastest in the Female 50-59 with 1:53:02, ahead of Fiona Websdane in 1:56:02 and Tracie Scarlett-Arundell’s 1:58:30 – though they all trailed the Female 60-69 winner, the sensational Clare Wall posting a new course record for her age group of 1:52:26, leading the way from Robyn McClelland in 2:19:39.
The women’s 5 Mile race saw an exceptional front-running win from Aimee Davenport, clocking 32:59 in the wind, from Natalie Wood’s 38:24 and Asia Smarsz with 39:08. Maree Davies took out the Female 50-59 with 43:42, from Razz Morgan with 46:08 and Monique Sheehan’s 46:52. The wind knocked over many things during the race, but it was records that were tumbling In the more mature age groups, where Elizabeth Simpson continued her fine vein of form to set a new best time in the Female 60-69 with 38:13; and Rae Palmer likewise eclipsed the previous fastest among the Female 70 and Over with her new record 51:59. Congratulations!
Aaron Passioura ran an impressive 28:02 to win the men’s 5 Mile race by a clear margin from Joseph Hughes’ 28:58 and 15-year-old Xavier Quispes with 30:22. In the Male 50-59, Steve Rohan-Jones beat his own course record set last year, to win in a fine 30:29, ahead of a close race for the podium placings between James Owen in 33:50 and Steven Ditullio (34:00). Peter Prince took out the Male 60-69 with 41:52; and David Iverarch defended his title in the Male 70 and Over with a sterling 42:46.
Kodi Clarkson showed a clean pair of heels to the field in the 2 Mile race, winning from the Boys Under 13 category in 12:08, from Kami Schulz’s 13:00 (1st place Boys Under 17), Caleb Quispes with 14:46 and Liam Cook in 15:11. Ben Newman took out the Male 17 and Over with 16:48, and Margot Tredoux the Female 17 and Over with 20:58 from Sue Brennan’s 31:10.
Congratulations to all who ran and offered so much inspiration to us all!
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2019 Jun 10thSri Chinmoy Lennox Gardens Half-Marathon, 5 Mile and 2 Mile races, Monday 10 June 2019Results (PDF Download)Race Photos
What a lovely afternoon in Canberra! Intermittent bursts of sunshine, moderately warm with a light breeze and clear views across the lake to the Brindabellas beyond …
… except the race wasn’t held this afternoon: it was run in the morning, which showed altogether another face of Winter in Canberra – cold, blustery, rain squalls swirling from stressed clouds bustling over a fretful, surly lake. Bodies didn’t want to emerge from warm cars and jackets, pens refused to write, the computer timing system staged a defiant strike, barbecue gas bottles emitted more sound than heat as marquees strained to hurtle, yearning to fly free.
Yet in the path of these obstacles stood one compelling force to overwhelm them all: the spirit of a hundred runners gathered for a prize far more challenging – self-conquest. Accordingly, bodies duly emerged, pens grudgingly inscribed, the timing system reluctantly resuscitated, pancake mix started to thaw on the barbecue and all the marquees stayed ultimately in their appointed places.
Because the runners appeared, the race happened.
The one mile loop course around Lennox Gardens is certainly scenic: on a day like today it is also an adventure. Every time around, the waves prepared a new dance spectacular; every time around, the headwind struck from a fresh angle; every time around, there were ever more reasons to affirm and savour the simple, elemental joy that is the soul of running.
While we might run this course twenty times on fine days and not remember anything about it, none of us will forget today in a hurry… congratulations to one and all who turned out to run, support, cheer and help at what grew into a truly memorable occasion.
13 might be an unlucky number for some, but it is certainly a magic number when counting down 1-mile laps of a Half-Marathon!
From the outset it was clear that Penny Slater was running in another plane from the rest of the women’s Half-Marathon field. Zipping around among the faster men, her final time of 1:26:11 is one of the best races ever witnessed at this event, placing her 4th outright: her focus and determination throughout were surpassed only by her style and grace. 2nd woman was Lauren Evans with a gutsy 1:35:44, from Amanda McCormack’s effort of 1:36:41. Tracie Scarlett-Arundell was best among the Female 50-59 in 1:49:55; while the ever-classy Robyn McClelland took home the main prize in the Female 60-69 with her 2:10:17.
In the men’s race, Stephen Kiley’s strength and experience saw him prevail with 1:24:59, from a wholehearted run of 1:25:29 from Andrew Leigh, eclipsing David Beaven’s 1:25:45. Chris Gammon led home the Male 50-59 with 1:39:48, just 6 seconds adrift of the indefatigable Peter Clarke taking out the Male 60-69 in 1:39:42; while Jim White is settling into his new Male 70 and Over role nicely with a 1st-placed 2:14:06.
Tim Barnett and Jonathan Fearn enjoyed a tight tussle in the 2 mile race, with both breaking the old course record despite the conditions: Tim prevailing in a new course-best 10:50 from Jonathan’s 10:53. Nicholas Thauvette took out the Boys Under 17 in 13:21, and Eric de Fombelle the competitive Boys Under 13 cohort with 14:32.
Meanwhile Ashleigh van de Meulengraaf won the women’s 2 mile race in an excellent 13:33, ahead of 2nd placed Katherine Maundrell, who also won the Girls Under 17 with 14:37.
The outstanding performance in the 5-lap race came from Steve Rohan-Jones, who set a new Male 50-59 course record with his fine run of 30:44, which placed him 3rd outright behind male winner, the sprightly Mark Stevens (28:34) and 2nd-placed Daniel Carson (29:12). Ewen Thompson was fastest among the Male 60-69 with 43:59, while David Iverach took out the Male 70 and Over with a stirling run of 40:39 (faster than all the M60-69s).
Kim Cayzer was a clear champion in the women’s 5 mile dash with her impressive 36:31, form Kate McConchie’s 39:59. Sally Thauvette meanwhile won the Female 50-59 in 42:28; Jennifer Kellett took home the Female 60-69 main prize with 43:06; and Caroline Campbell added to her impressive list of records by establishing a wonderful new Best Time for Female 70 and Over of 53:07 (Caroline also holds the F60-69 and the F70+ records for the Half-Marathon at this event).
Our special gratitude to all helpers and well-wishers who swallowed whatever was served up by the conditions, to play a fine “supporting role” in the day’s drama.
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2018 Jun 11thSri Chinmoy Lennox Gardens Half-Marathon, 5 Mile & 2 Miles races, Monday 11 June 2018Results (PDF Download)Race Photos
An Auspicious Debut
After 30 years of Sri Chinmoy Half-Marathons at Telopea Park, the event today trialled a new home on a one-mile loop around Lennox Gardens, including the beautiful the Canberra Nara Peace Park and Canberra Beijing Garden. A superb Canberra Winter’s day with bright sunshine and almost no breeze offered the perfect scenario for the inaugural event, in which the Half-Marathon is joined by two races over shorter distances – the 5 mile (8km) and 2 mile (3.2km) runs. Consensus following the event was that this race should remain at this location for its fast, flat course, great views over the heart of the lake and the city, easy access and convivial atmosphere post-race.
Normally in a race report we draw particular attention to any course records which have been set on the day – yet being an inaugural event, every winner in every category of every distance becomes a new course record holder, so rather than list everyone we refer you to the full category and overall results (below) for the complete listing of all participants’ times, including one-mile lap split times for every distance.
After the race, runners had the opportunity to ring the newly-installed Canberra World Peace Bell, which had sounded at intervals throughout the event, enveloping proceedings with a deep and soothing resonance to match the brilliance of the sunshine and splendour of the glistening lake.
Congratulations to all who participated and helped make this experiment such an enjoyable and resounding success. We look forward to your company at Lennox Gardens next year: who knows, perhaps this course will equal Telopea Park and serve as the race venue for the next 30 years, or more…
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2017 Jun 12thSri Chinmoy Telopea Park Half-Marathon, 5 mile and 2 mile races, Canberra, Monday 12 June 2017
Sri Chinmoy Telopea Park Half-Marathon, 5 mile and 2 mile races, Canberra, Monday 12 June 2017
12 JuneResults (PDF Download)Race PhotosDespite a significant decline in participation in the Half-Marathon, a dramatic rise in numbers in the 2 Mile race led to one of the largest fields ever assembled for the annual Sri Chinmoy Half-Marathon, 5 Mile and 2 Mile races in and around Telopea Park on the Queen’s Birthday Public Holiday, Monday 12 June 2017. A blanket of fog kept the temperatures reasonable for the start and early stages of the event, with the sun finally blazing through towards the end of the Half-Marathon.
Joshua Torley today almost achieved a unique feat. In not only winning the Half-Marathon but also setting a new course record time of 1:14:22, he would have held the records for the fastest times in various categories over all 3 distances at this event – Half-Marathon (2017), 5 Miles (2012) and 2 Miles (2010, for Boys Under 13). The only catch was that his record for the 5 Mile race fell today (more of that below…) While it is true that some faster times were recorded for the Half-Marathon back in the 1990s, these records have been lost. Congratulations for this amazing feat, Josh! A telling statistic from today’s run was that Josh’s last mile was also his fastest – a cracking 5:17.
Nine minutes behind Josh, though still running beautifully, David Beaven (1:23:30) outpaced Nicholas O’Neill (1:24:31) for the podium placings. Neal Ames took out the Male 50-59 in 1:36:18; and Laurie Irvine the Male 60-69 with his 1:54:43.
Jodie Barker was again outstanding in the women’s race, winning for at least the 4th time in 1:34:32. While most of us experience ups and downs in our running, Jodie is an inspiring example of consistent excellence, always running with fine form, focus and poise. Michelle Burns came in 2nd with 1:41:20, from Kelly-Ann Varey with 1:41:50. Paula Gaudry took out the Female 50-59 with 1:43:43; and Ruth Shegog the Female 60-69 in 2:22:21.
Jeffrey Van Gangelen ran a superb race in the Men’s 5 Mile, raining on Josh Torley’s parade by eclipsing his course record with an outstanding new best time of 27:49. Another age category record fell in the Female 60-69 with Jennifer Kellett taking a full 7 minutes off the old best time with her rapid 41:52 over the 5 miles.
Jeffrey was followed home in the men’s race by Glen Sturesteps in 2nd in 29:51, and Tobias Genet with 30:49 for 3rd placing. The male 50-59 was won by an ever-improving Kim Houghton, whose 34:12 was a lifetime PB over this distance. Now that’s an amazing feat! The Male 60-69 belonged today to Ewen Thompson’s fine 45:44; while the Male 70 and Over category – which boasted a field twice the size of the Male 60-69s – was won by Kevin Chamberlain in a sprightly 44:31.
Stephanie Torley was in a class of her own in the women’s 5 mile race, striding away to win stylishly in 31:48, from Claudia Brown in 35:42 and Natty Bech with 37:09. The Female 50-59 was won by Tracey O’Donnell, who made the drive down from Sydney to take out the category in a sizzling 40:44.
The largest field ever assembled for the 2 Mile race did not daunt Emma Dunn, who not only took out the Girls Under 17 – she won the race outright in fine style with a compelling 12:03. Mel Sykes-Bridge won the Female 17 and Over category in 14:51; and Hannah Quispes the Girls Under 13 in 15:42.
Andrew Welch was the fastest in the men’s 2 mile field, taking out the Male 17 and Over in 12:33; while Rohan O’Grady was not far behind to win the Boys Under 17 in 12:38; and Xavier Quispes the Boys Under 13 with 12:46.
The Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run – history’s longest torch relay, which this year is carrying the Peace Torch in relay from Brisbane to Adelaide – happened to be in Canberra for the weekend. Three members of the international relay team participated in today’s run: Abhinandan Willis from Melbourne and Kanyaka Arini from Bali both ran in the 5 Mile race, while Eniko Soron from Hungary ran in the 2 Mile. With the Peace Torch on hand, many participants took the opportunity to either run with or else to hold the Torch after their races. Thanks to all who took part in this inspiring global event!
