Sri Chinmoy Canberra Half-Marathon Report
Telopea Park, Canberra 15 July 2007
Members of the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team are often asked whether, as runners ourselves, we ever have a chance to compete in their own events. The answer was revealed today: yes. and no. Our computer timing system has made things easier, so a member of the team, Noivedya, was free to participate in the Half-Marathon for the first time in over a decade.
However, we were not counting on the popularity of our 2-mile and 5-mile races. A year after they were introduced, allowing our half-marathon event to include races for the whole family, these races are proving a hit. Despite the morning temperatures of 1 degree (as part of a notorious Canberra winter), many inspired runners arrived for these two races, doubling the entire field. Even as the weather actually became COLDER, they stayed to socialise and enjoy breakfast.
The poularity of the two races meant that, among other things, we needed all hands on deck. Noivedya had to stop running, mid-way through the race, to help with timing. Ah well. maybe next year.
The first person to REALLY finish the half-marathon, however, was Tim Porter (right) in 1:22:07, followed by James Minto in 1:23:12 and Wayne Bulloch in 1:23:44. Jim White was the fastest veteran in 1:35:50.
Natalie Wood was easily the first woman home in 1:31:00, followed by Thea Zimpel in 1:36:58 and Sue Archer (the first veteran) in 1:41:25.
Meanwhile, the 5-mile race inspired great runs from Jeffrey Van Gangelen (28:06), James Humphreys (30:18) and Paco Iglesias (30:56). The top women were Kym Chisholm (35:55), Kayler Torley (37:32) and Deahne Turnbull (37:44).
In the 2-mile race, Robert Torley (11:30) came first, followed by the first under-17 boy, Shane Farrant (12:16), and 12-year-old Reuben Caley (12:33), the fastest male in last week's short-distance Off-Road Duathlon. Ka Yeung Cheung (12:34) and Daniel Hearle (12:37), another under-13, were hot on Reuben's heels. The first three females were also under 17 years old: Catriona Windsor (12:49), Annie Harper (13:15) and Sarah Burgess (14:03).
A more unusual (but as most athletes would agree, no less enjoyable) development this year was the pancake breakfast. We have served pancakes at the half-marathon for a few years now, but this time- as well as Audrey's secret batter recipe- Kate provided both sweet and savoury toppings, resulting in queues of runners. The stewed apple was finished before the end, leaving the vegetarian mornay for the last half-marathon finishers. Now THERE'S a race breakfast! Needless to say, nobody was complaining.
Full results by category (Half Marathon) >>
Full results by category (5 Mile and 2 Mile races)>>
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