Australia

Results

Race Photos

Record crowds braved the cool morning temperatures to line up for the 15th edition of the Sri Chinmoy Running & Fitness Festival at Williamstown on Sunday May 30. Over the past 4 years attendance at the event has increased dramatically making the Festival the largest Sri Chinmoy running event in the world.

Full results for all events are now available. We realise that there were a few errors on the day with some of the age category awards which was due to data error with the timing system. These places have now been corrected. If you have missed out on an age category medal please contact us by email at [email protected] and we will send one to you.

There are many images from the day from our numerous photographers on course.

Supersport Images were also out in force with their bevy of cameras to record your efforts. You will be able to purchase images from them by visiting the Supersport Images website, selecting out event and entering your race number.

The premier event, the 42.2km marathon contained a record field of almost 200 starters, with Vin McCarthy taking out a commanding victory in the time of 2:40:02, to finish almost 15 minutes clear of his nearest rivals Adrian Irvin 2:54:51 and Alvaro Chacon 2:55:52.

Line honours in the women's race went to Sussan Abishara in 3:16:44 to place her in 24th position overall, followed by Di Khan in 3:21:34 and Georgina Power in 3:28:46. Amongst the age group awards the standout performance came from Robin Waters in the 60-69 category, who completed the distance in a swift 3:12:39 to finish 21st overall!

The half marathon field was one of the most popular distances with 729 runners completing the 21.1km circuit though Williamstown and Newport. As with the marathon, the winner Christian Ashby ran most of the way unchallenged to cross the line in a super fast 73:28. Ben Pattie 78:55 and Stephen Han 79:25 followed to take the other podium positions.

The women's half marathon race was won by Cath Schwef in 1:27:52, followed by Jo Rutherford in 1:29:34 and Melanie Ades in 1:33:04. Just off the podium in 4th position was Greer Sansom who ran a superb 1:34:38 to also take out the women's 40-49 age category award.

Within the half marathon field special mentions must also go to Steven Barker who took out the men's 50-59 category in a very commendable 1:23:45 to finish 13th overall, and Vic Potter who won the men's 60-60 category in aswift 1:35:53. However the standout achievement goes to Frank Furlan who in in the 70-79 age category completed the half marathon distance in 1:41:18, finishing well ahead of many men half his age. Well done Frank!

The 10km event was the most popular event of the day with almost 800 runners fronting up to the mass start at 8AM. The men's race was won by Tim Callahan in a speedy 35:43, followed closely by Lee Eddison in 35:48. Clem Scott rounded out the placing with 36:20.

The women's 10km race was decided early with Sophie Barker taking line honours in 38:51. In fact her time put her into 16th place overall ahead of all but the fastest 15 men. Second place was awarded to Narelle Smith who dipped under the 40 minute barrier with 39:52, followed by Susi Wilson in 41:13 who also won the women's 40-49 age category.

Amongst the age group runners the standout performances of the day went to Ron Bennett who took out the men's 60-69 age category in 44:22 and Marree Gourley who finished just ahead in 44:21 to win the women's 50-59 age category.

Special acclaim must also go to Jack Elliott 64:06 and Ken Miller 66:22 who finished strong in 1-2 in the 70+ age category, proving once again that age is no barrier to athletic performance.

In the 4km race (measured to 3.85km) was won by Paul Martin in a very swift 14.11, followed closely by Aaron Pooley in 14:17 and Andrew Gelston in 14:26. The women's event was convincingly won by April Humffray in a super fast 14:56 which also awarded her 4th place overall. Sarah Lester was second in 15:55 with Natasha Davis hot on her heels with 16:02.

In the age group placings Steve McIntosh claimed 7th overall and won the men's 50-59 division with 15:45. There were also some outstanding results in the senior men's categories with Herbert Detlefsen clocking to take line honours in the 70-79 age category in 29:17 and the ever young Vern Gerlach winning the men's 80+ age category in a sterling 31.58.

Firstly we offer our gratitude to Sri Chinmoy, who inspires us to stage these events for the running public and to pursue our own life of self-transcendence.

The fullness of life

Lies in dreaming

And manifesting

The impossible dream.

Sri Chinmoy

In putting on an event of this magnitude there are many others we would like to thank and offer our heart felt gartitude too. Firstly to the many members of the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team who travelled from interstate and overseas to offer their support for the event.

Also assisting us on the day on the drink stations and course marshals were many volunteers from the Point Cook Airforce Cadets and Williamstown Athletics Club who added their enthusastic support. In addition we are also most grateful for the heartfelt support, Brooks, Lifestyle Fitness and Europcar.

We are also extremely grateful to our trusted course measurer Peter Nelson, who most studiously measured and remeasured the course. With resurfacing of the Newport Aprk Athletics Track to be completed this year we plan to back at the track in 2011.