8 June 2009 - Winter has descended on Canberra with its usual intensity, but the frisky morning wasn't enough to deter Canberra's keen running community from Telopea Park for the Half-Marathon, 5-mile and 2-mile races. Though you wouldn't know it from the temperature, the sun was out early. Coupled with the none-too-hot weather, it was a perfect morning for a run- and as it was our largest field, it seems that many athletes would agree.

Though Aaron Woolley easily led the Half-Marathon field at the beginning, he was gradually overtaken by Scott Baxter, who finished with the fastest mile lap in the race (5:40), winning in a time of 1 hour 18 mins 13 secs. In a very strong field, he was followed by Alex Miller and Aaron Woolley.

 As for the women. hopefully, that the top two women will forgive this, but we can't resist: It seems that the star of West Side Story won, followed by a Jane Austen heroine. OK, what we mean is that Natalie Wood- not the late Hollywood star, but a regular in our events, and one of Canberra's most talented half-marathoners- won (in 1 hour 27 mins 34 secs), followed by Elizabeth Bennett. (No doubt they get jokes like that all the time. We'll stop it now.) Fleur Hamilton came third.

Despite a mixed-ages field, the two-mile race was the kids' chance to shine. Ben Watson (12 mins 32 secs) came first of both under-13s and everyone else, followed by his brother Jack Watson (13:17). Third (and leader of the under-17s) was Michael Torley. The female winners were also under-13 sisters: Olivia Fogarty (13:51) and Georgia Fogarty, both over a minute ahead of the nearest adult, Katja Wickman.

The five-mile race was won by Daniel Striegl (30 mins 23 secs), followed by Gordon McGurk and Tim Shipstone. The fastest woman was Linda Lindsell (34:08), followed by Linda Gray and Heidi Johnston.

Full results are published, along with a photo album from the day...