Sri Chinmoy Half-Marathon, 5 & 2 Mile Race
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 (formerly in Telopea Park), 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 the Queens Birthday public holiday, Monday 10 June 2019.
The course is a certified one-mile loop on cycle path and road.
Race start for the Half-Marathon is 9 am, with registration commencing at 8 am.
The 2 Mile Race and 5 Mile Race commence at around 9.30 am. 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. The past few years however, have seen glorious days and mild temperatures throughout.
Distance
Half-Marathon (21.1km); 5 miles (8km); and 2 miles (3.2km)
View course map »
Start time
- 9am for Half-Marathon
- 9.30am for 2 & 5 miles
Cost
- Online (until 5pm Fri 7 June): $13 (2M); $27 (5M); $31 (HM)
- On-the-day (from 8am): $20 (2M); $30 (5M); $40 (HM)
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 | Jack Brooks | 11:09 | 8/6/2015 | 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 | Keith Law | 31:00 | 9/6/2014 | Liz Simpfendorfer | 40:09 | 9/6/2014 |
| 5 Miles | 60 - 69 | Paul Archer | 35:03 | 14/6/2010 | Jennifer Kellett | 41:52 | 12/6/2017 |
| 5 Miles | 70 and Over | Eric Hodge | 40:31 | 9/6/2014 | |||
| 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 | Caroline Campbell | 1:58:53 | 18/7/2004 |
| 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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2018 Jun 11thSri Chinmoy Lennox Gardens Half-Marathon, 5 Mile & 2 Miles races, Monday 11 June 2018
Sri Chinmoy Lennox Gardens Half-Marathon, 5 Mile & 2 Miles races, Monday 11 June 2018
Monday, 11 June, 2018Results (PDF Download)Race PhotosAn 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
Monday, 12 June, 2017Results (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!
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2016 Jun 13thSri Chinmoy Half-Marathon. 5 Mile and 2 Mile races, Telopea Park, Canberra, 13 June 2016 – full results
Sri Chinmoy Half-Marathon. 5 Mile and 2 Mile races, Telopea Park, Canberra, 13 June 2016 – full results
Monday, 13 June, 2016Results (PDF Download)Race PhotosCraig Benson has won the Sri Chinmoy Half-Marathon in and around Telopea Park several times, and added another major trophy to his collection today with a fine, uncontested run of 1:16:10.
The morning had started with a decent frost, though as the sun rose behind the trees of this lovely setting, the mood noticeably rose with the temperature as runners realised it would turn out to be an excellent day for a "run in the park."
Jeff Grey was 3rd outright, his 1:26:30 winning him the Male 50-59 category in fine style; while Peter Clarke was dominant in the Male 60-69 with 1:42:48.
Kirsty Bird won the women's race with an outstanding 1:32:59; while other age groups were won by Jane Hiatt (Female 50-59) in 2:11:58 and Robyn McClelland (Female 60-69) with 2:13:26.
Concurrent with the Half-Marathon, the 5 mile and 2 mile races used the same course, injecting some extra adrenaline and energy in the middle of the longer race.
The 5 miler was won by Liam Stewart, running an excellent 29:31. Bruce Perry was too good for the competition in the Male 50-59 with 41:17; and Kevin Chamberlain took out the Male 60-69 in 48:46.
Claudia Brown meanwhile won the women's race in 36:11; the evergreen Kaaren Sutcliffe taking out the Female 50-59 with 46:53; and Jennifer Kellett the Female 60-69 with a fine run of 43:08.
The 2 mile race sported an unusually small, yet enthusiastic field. Thien Vuong won the race (and Male 17 and Over category) in 12:04; 2nd outright was Boys under 17 winner Daniel Baldan in 13:32; next was his brother and Boys Under 13 winner Lachlan Baldan in 14:30; while the women's race was won by Margot Tredoux in 20:08.
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2015 Jun 8thSri Chinmoy Half-Marathon, 5 mile & 2 mile races, Canberra, 8 June 2015Results (PDF Download)Race Photos
Life is about running around in circles. As electrons spin around the atoms within us, the earth revolves on its axis bringing day upon night upon day and our seasons are the effect of our hurtling around the sun, so our thoughts and feelings turn upon themselves and we ultimately find ourselves at the end of it all, right where we started … yet somehow richer for the journey.
So today we ran little versions of our lives, around and around the same one mile loop, each lap the same, yet each lap new as we changed and evolved toward the conclusion.
The first race to conclude today – after only two revolutions of the course – was the “sprint” 2 miler, which saw several course records timble. Leading the charge was Boys Under 17 winner Matthew McGrory in 11:05 (an age group record), just ahead of Male 17 and Over leader Jack Brooks’ 11:09 (an age group record). Then came Girls Under 17 champion Keely Small (bettering her own age group record from last year) in an excellent 11:33; ahead of Jordynne Rauter of the Girls Under 13 in 12:36; Boys Under 13 winner Joshua Curry’s 12:42 and Olivia Cameron, first place in the Female 17 and Over category with 13:43.
Circling the loop 5 times, the 5 mile runners were led from the outset by Tom Cumming, who never looked back to win the men’s race comfortably in 31:20. David Clarke took out the Male 50-59 in 35:23; while unrelated Peter Clarke won the Male 60-69 with 35:35; and Kevin Chapman the Male 70 and Over in 45:32.
The women’s race had an equally impressive winner in Vanessa Haverd, who clocked 32:50 to place second outright in the race. Sharon Humphries won the Female 50-59 with 44:57.
While the 2 and 5 mile races unfolded relatively quickly, the drama of the Half-Marathon continued to turn before our eyes. Starting an hour earlier, at 9am, most of the Half-Marathoners outlasted the shorter distance runners on the course, some by quite a margin.
Craig Benson and Jodie Barker are repeat winners of the Sri Chinmoy Half-Marathon, Craig returning 1:16:02 today and Jodie 1:36:13. Craig was shadowed through the race by Andrew McGowan who came in only half a minute back in 1:16:31, while Jodie’s nearest rival, Anna McCormack came in in 1:45:34.
Narelle Patrick was 2nd outright in the women’s field and took out the Female 50-59 in 1:39:46; while Julie Bell won the Female 60-69 with 2:04:07. The Male 50-59 was won again by Jeff Grey with an impressive 1:27:45; Silvio Spahn took out the Male 60-69 in 1:44:44; and Lachlan Lewis was the Male 70 and Over champion with 2:44:04.
Congratulations to all who participated in any of the races today on a glorious Canberra morning for running: and thanks to all volunteers who helped make the morning so enjoyable for all.
