Results from Sri Chinmoy Yarra Boulevard Half Marathon, 10km & 5km, Sunday 23 September are now available.
Overall and age group winners of the 5km, joined by Hawthorn West Primary School children and parents
Race Report
The Sri Chinmoy Yarra Boulevard Half-Marathon, 10km and 5km was held on Sunday September 23rd on the beautifully flat and picturesque course on the Yarra Boulevard in Richmond. An enthusiastic field of 557 athletes toed the starting line, relishing the prospect of a fast time afforded by the cool conditions, flat and open course and the concentrated energy of a 5km loop.
Young and old, fast and slow, experienced and first timers were all encouraged and cheered; spurred on to personal bests or simply to determined feats of perseverance and resilience; courage in the face of adversity; self-transcendence. It was a spirit well captured by a group of young children in the finish chute who enthusiastically hi-fived each runner as they surged towards the line.
As the skies darkened mid-race it seemed we were destined to get drenched, with athletes and helpers alike casting concerned glances at the ominously foreboding banks of storm clouds mustering on the horizon. Yet once again, the rain gods spared us and maintained the uncanny reputation of Melbourne Sri Chinmoy events as being rain-free!
Running is truly an act of challenging and joyous self-discovery; a fact confirmed by the contented smiles and elated conversation of the athletes post-race. Fortunate indeed are those who revel in the joy of pushing beyond protesting legs and the body’s lethargy, out into cold mornings and beyond the boundaries of the doubting mind. The solace of laboured breath and the accompanying thrill of being intimately connected to nature are certainly a balm to the spirit. Simply being part of the event as a volunteer reminded me of these wonderful truths.
There were many notable achievements on the day. Cameron Simon crossed first in the Men’s Half Marathon Open division in a time of 1:17:02 whilst in the Women’s Race Debra Beveridge was well clear of the field in 1:28:01. In the 10km Ryann Mills held on to win the Men’s race in 36:13 whilst Briony Shaw’s 40:59 saw her edge out a gallant Chelsea Smith. The 5km race was closely contested with Briony Cole winning the Women’s race in 21:23. In the Men’s Jake Snowdon came home first in 16:59, narrowly trailed by Lee Eddison and Nicholas Dowell.
Special mention also to Vern Gerlach who, as he approaches 90 years of age, was unchallenged in the Men’s 80+ Division in the 5km Race and Bill Page, also in the 80+ category for the 10km and in an amazing performance still managing to run under the hour! What a truly remarkable achievement! Both Vern and Bill continue to demonstrate that age is in the mind and not in the heart!
All in all it was an extremely enjoyable day. The Sri Chinmoy Races crew wishes to thank all the runners and volunteers for making the event a great success. Good luck with your training and we look forward to seeing you at the Sri Chinmoy Maribynong River Run on Sunday October 28th.
We look forward to seeing you at our events in 2012.
Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team
Life is velocity. Therefore I want to run fast, very fast.
Sri Chinmoy
