Spring in Canberra is the best time of year to be running: mornings are still cool without needing hat and gloves, the sun sparkles, the air refreshes. Everywhere is budding and blooming and one feels the urge to join the party: a morning run is just the ticket. Add a beautiful lakeside setting, the conviviality of fellow runners and a pancake (or two) and the day is shaping up perfectly…
Daniel Carson drew away from Tim O’Shea to take out the men’s 10km race in 35:38 from Tim’s 36:01, with Ben Crabb claiming 3rd with his 36:50 – all excellent times over this challenging course. Steve Richardson was fastest among the Male 50-59 with 44:27, from Kim Houghton’s 45:00 and Jon Schol filling out the podium places in 45:30. David Clarke in the Male 60-69 ran faster than any of his Male 50-59 counterparts, taking the category in a fine 43:17, from Trevor Jacobs in 46:47; while Peter Ralston took out the Male 70 and Over in 55:57.
In the women’s 10km race, Kerry Smith was triumphant with a victory in 43:47, from Lesley Steel with 48:02 and Rowena Woods in 48:17. In the Female 50-59, it was Debra Kay taking the main honours in 50:27, followed by Polly Templeton’s 59:47 and Razz Morgan with 1:01:51. Clare Wall won the Female 60-69 in a fine 50:54 from Liz McLarnen in 1:04:19; while Caroline Campbell won the Female 70 and Over with 1:12:40.
In a welcome and increasing trend, female runners outnumbered the males in the 4km race. Jemma Wilson was fastest of all, winning the race sensationally from the Girls Under 13 category in 17:36, though not far ahead of Nicki Macfarlane racing in the Female 17 and Over with 17:48; with Hannah Quispes taking out the Girls Under 17 in 19:19.
The men’s 4km race was won with style by Kael Hulin (Male 17 and Over) in 14:36, with Xavier Quispes (Boys Under 17) not far adrift in 14:52; while Owen Duncanson was fastest among the Boys Under 13 in 19:04.
Congratulations to all runners and thanks to all volunteers on another splendid morning!