Every race has its runners and its volunteers, and for each, it is a full-on commitment…

The Half-Marathon started and the race began – for those wearing numbers, to get home fastest: for those wearing gloves, to fill enough water cups for oncoming runners.

When the 4km runners departed, the drama commenced – for those moving swiftly, of suffering and success; for those standing still, to make sure entries were accurately processed and placegetters would be correctly named.

The 7km started and the battle began – for those cantering, a tussle for the podium: for those catering, a bluster of wind vs barbecue, cold air coming from the harbour thieving the flames needed to make over a thousand pancakes.

On this clear, sunny morning, all races were run and won; all dramas played and resolved; all battles concluded victorious.

With Sydney’s burgeoning running boom, the largest field in over a decade enjoyed this Iron Cove classic – and with it, new superstars.

Christine McGrath in the Under 50 women’s Half-Marathon ran a new record 1:23:51; and Eliza Smith in the Girls Under 17 4km, set a new bar at 15:55.

Congratulations one, congratulations all!

Due to works along the event route of Lady Carrington Drive, this race was forcibly postponed twice – from May, to July, and then to November. Though by accident, the first time this race has been staged outside of the Winter months, proved a happy and popular outcome. With more daylight hours enabling an earlier start, the shaded course protected from the full impact of the sun, the time spent upgrading the track surface proving very well worth the effort, runners were able to enjoy the full panoply of Nature at ease – constant quadraphonic birdsong amidst a cathedral of green, lyre birds skitting alongside the runners, even a diamond python sunning itself across the full length of the path.

Only rarely is the Marathon here run in under 3 hours, yet today race winner Luke Jeffrey (2:58:23) and 2nd placed Peter Richardson (2:59:09) both claimed that feat, while in the women’s Marathon, Sarah Hammer won in 3:35:46, from Fiona Mellink’s 3:48:01. Leanne McLaughlan took out the Female 50-59 with 4:39:27, and the redoubtable Jane Trumper, the F60-69 in 5:18:31. Jeremy Smith claimed the M50-59 with his 3:43:57, David Campbell won a tight race in the M60-69 in 4:07:07 from Leon Barnard’s 4:08:39; and the heroic Ray James took out the M70+ with 6:20:03.

Helena Hayes ran the race of the day, setting a new women’s record in the Half-Marathon of 1:28:58, placing her 9th outright. The Half-Marathon attracted the largest field and greatest depth, in speed, characters and diversity. Helena’s finished 6 and a half minutes clear of 2nd placed Georgina Beech in 1:35:17, with Monique Andrea claiming 3rd in 1:40:16. Nadine Sermon was fastest in the F50-59 with 2:02:30; while Jennifer Rankine took out the F60-69 in 2:30:31.

Jonah Newton won the men’s Half-Marathon in an excellent 1:20:55, from Ilya Levchenko’s 1:22:15, ahead of a bunch of 4 runners all within half a minute of each other – Chris Lightfoot, Jack Beckinsale, Dean McNamara and Keith Hong all clocking 1:23 and change. Steve Temmo won the M50-59 with 1:35:49; and Zhang Quang the M60-69 in 1:40:57.

Winning the 10km women’s race today in 47:11, saw Eileen Cantwell claim the overall Sri Chinmoy Sydney Series pointscore championship, having placed in the top 3 in all 5 races of the Series. Next home was Natasha Hammond in 49:56, ahead of Joanne Rolland’s 50:35. Jo Tornatore-Gallo won the F50-59 in 57:27; though Joan Feeney in the F60-69 was ahead in 56:13; and the irrepressible Mieke Masselos won the F70+ in 1:00:07, winning her 5th race of the Sri Chinmoy Sydney Series for 2023 and thus taking the 70+ crown with a perfect 50 pointscore.

Angus Pearson was the only runner home in under 40 minutes on the demanding 10km course, winning the men’s race in 39:49, from 2nd placed David Winning’s 43:18 and 3rd Chris Vallely with 43:47. Stephen Mitchell claimed the M50-59 main award with 52:12; though Stephen was eclipsed by Michael Wilding taking home the M60-69 prize in 47:02; while a stellar field 5 gentleman athletes tackled the M70+, with Rob Ellis winning in 49:36, completing his 4th win in as many starts in the Sri Chinmoy Sydney Series this year – though it was the consistent David Iverach who claimed the Series award, his 52:36 earning another 2nd placing today and with 5 races completed, enough points to hold off Rob in the pointscore championship.

Regan Burnett (M17+) won the 5km race in 20:21 – but he had a job to hold off the fast-finishing Oliver Fyfe, whose 20:36 eclipsed his own course record for Boys Under 13.  Next home, Taylor Mulhere was also running in the Boys Under 13, ahead of Boys Under 17 winner Rafi Tudjman in 22:25.

The Girls Under 13 winner, Sybil Mulhere won the women’s race outright in 27:34, just ahead of F17+ winner and 2nd placegetter, Cailie Challenor (27:38) and Rada Mulhere (27:39).

This time one year ago, we were attempting to process and describe the worst conditions any of us had ever experienced at a running event. By contrast, the 2023 Sri Chinmoy Dolls Point races served up an occasion devoid of extremities, a middle-of-the-road event on a reasonably fine day (with moderate winds not reaching the levels forecast), witnessing a medium-sized field returning respectable times, with moderately enthusiastic participants and supporters enjoying quite good pancakes at the finish of it all. What a relief! Always on the look out for the sensational, the phenomenal, the extraordinary – there are times when we must appreciate the median, the average and the workaday, for such occasions provide the screen on which is projected life’s more vivid colours, the backdrop against which our more intense dramas are enacted. So, for today, let’s be grateful, and celebrate in polite, muted tones!

This is not to say that today was without its impressive peaks – 2 course records were eclipsed, many runners achieved personal bests including several first-time Half-Marathon finishers – congratulations to all! – AND the fried bananas atop the pancakes were an exceptional treat.

The 5km race saw a spectacular new Boys Under 13 course record set by the flying Xavier Zahra with his 18:36 placing 2nd overall behind Male 17 and Over winner, Dustin Litster’s 17:30. Melody Song was fastest of the Girls Under 13s with 29:07, while Alissa Barker took out the Female 17 and Over category in 23:46.

10km is one of the world’s standard favourite road racing distances, and this one provides the added challenge of the climb in both directions over the imposing Captain Cook Bridge. Mieke Masselos continued her record-shattering year with an impressive new course best in the Female 70 and Over category of 55:03. Doris Mitchell won the F60-69s with 58:34, and Rita Kazzi cruised home with the F50-59 main prize in 51:20. Winner of the women’s race in the Female Under 50 was Jessica Carroll, whose winning 42:00 saw her cross the line a full 2 and a half minutes clear of 2nd placed Eileen Cantwell’s 44:33, with Natasha Hammond taking 3rd in 45:19.

Meanwhile, Craig Gilbertson ran a similarly solo effort in the Men’s race to win the Male Under 50s by 2 minutes in 35:29, from Adam Reid’s 37:38 for 2nd, with Kevin Kuechler in 41:36 for 3rd. Dan Condon took out the M50-59s with 47:13; Grant Nicholls the M60-69 in 46:06; and a resurgent Rob Ellis the Male 70 and Over with a sharp 50:36.

The largest field of the morning toed the line for the longest distance, with 110 runners fronting for the 21.1km Half-Marathon. Martin Vu led from the get-go and never looked back, forging into the wind to set a shining example for the field with a fine 1:20:46, from Henry Brunskill’s 1:24:09, with Declan McNerney filling out the podium places in 1:28:37. Christine Wang played the same role to the women’s field, winning by a similar margin, her 1:36:12 victory coming ahead of Morgan Yuen’s 2nd-placed 1:40:08, and Jennifer Lowry, in 1:40:55 taking 3rd.

The M50-59 category boasted half the numbers of the Under 50 category, an extraordinary showing demonstrating running’s ever-increasing popularity with the so-called “veteran” age groups. Matthew Beech took the title in this cohort with 1:30:49 (placing him 4th outright), from Martin Cosby’s 1:33:39 and 3rd placed Jai Yet Yuen in 1:35:47. The F50-59 saw Shannon Whiteley take the win with a fine 1:46:39, from Bron Evans’ 1:53:18 and Barbara Hemingway in 3rd with 2:06:42. Gregory Leamon claimed the M60-69’s in 1:51:56.

PERFORMANCE 0F THE DAY – One of the most impressive achievements in all of the Sri Chinmoy Sydney Series up till now, has been Helen Stanger’s amazing Female 60-69 record for the Half-Marathon at Centennial Park, of 1:44:05 set back in 2012. Today, on a course which was part quagmire and heavy going at best, and with every other winning time in each category of all 3 races being well off record pace, Raewyn Harlock surpassed Helen’s record with an incredible run of 1:42:53 – and in the process, won the women’s Half-Marathon race outright, in itself an historical achievement. Just a week after Camille Herron’s trail-blazing new 48-hour World Record of 435 km in Canberra, Raewyn is similarly soaring to new heights on behalf of not only all women, but everyone who aspires to transcend their boundaries in any field, anywhere, at any age. Raewyn, your thrilling run today has inspired our deep respect, admiration, joy and awe – long may you continue!

On a morning which saw intermittent deluges from the early hours before first light peeped from behind further ominous blanketing banks of darkening rainy-stuff, it turns out that to reach the starting line proved to be a significant victory – with over one third of all entrants not arriving at that primary destination. Ironically, once the actual running started, the skies released barely a drop from their copious stores, holding back further blessings till the packing up was nearly done.

Hot on Raewyn Harlock’s heels, winner of the Female Under 50 race was a flying Nikki Tulliani with 1:43:12, just edging out Stephanie Bian’s 1:43:46, with Jilly Collins taking 3rd in 1:47:52. Susan While was best among the Female 50-59 with 2:13:30.

With the course passing the start/finish area twice each lap, spectators get 6 glimpses of the action over the 3 laps of the Half-Marathon, to follow the tussles for podium spots among the leaders, as well as numerous other contests unfolding throughout the field. The men’s race saw several changes up front, with Angus Pearson finally drawing away to win in an impressive 1:21:24, from Maurice Kelter of Ireland – who had come across the race by chance while on his morning run through the park, and entered at the last minute – with 1:22:30, sprinting to the line to hold off a charge from Craig Gilbertson who claimed 3rd a mere two seconds later, in 1:22:32.

Steve Temmo was 4th male home, and fastest among the Male 50-59s with 1:37:05, from Eddie Guo’s 1:40:15; Lars Lindvuist, running with his son Martin, took out the Male 60-69 category with a sterling run of 1:39:12; while the indefatigable Bob Fickel (175 Half-Marathons and 302 Marathons to his name) claimed the Male 70 and Over award with 2:49:41.

Chris Vallely took out the 7km men’s race in 29:08, though not too far ahead of the Male 50-59 winner, Shane Maundrell whose 29:38 stood him in 2nd place outright. Mark Bligh’s 32:09 to take out the Male 60-69 category also placed him in the top 5; while David Iverach took out the Male 70 and Over in 36:17, despite still recovering from Covid. Eileen Cantwell was in amongst the leading men home, to claim the premier women’s prize with 32:36; while Sha Zhu took out the Female 50-59 with 42:42; and Sally Warneford the Female 60-69 with 42:24; and Mieke Masselos the Female 70 and Over in 45:27.

The 4km race saw a close finish between Boys Under 13 1st place-getter and outright winner, Oliver Fyfe in 16:41, from Girls Under 13 winner, Eliza Smith (16:52). Eliza’s sister Ruby, running in the Girls Under 17s, was next in 18:31, ahead of Oliver’s brother George (18:35), with Terry Couchman coming next to claim 1st place in the Male 17 and Over category. Caroline Fyfle brought a third medal home for the family, with 1st place in the Female 17 and Over in 20:06.

Pursuing the dawn, a creeping fog claimed Iron Cove, as though veiling the day’s prospects. Yet this mask held no mystery, for all apps foretold a sunny day – and a sunny day we would have. After months of incessant rain, Sydney stepped forward to show its Springtime finest.

Today’s Sri Chinmoy Half-Marathon was notable for the performances of those just commencing, and those continuing long running careers. The male winner, Hayden Redfern, was participating in his first ever race, having taken up running only 3 months ago, and impressed all with a fine debut of 1:18:02, to win 4 minutes clear of the field. Katie Rogers, the women’s winner, was likewise running her first ever Half-Marathon, showing immense promise to win by a massive 18 minutes in a superb 1:27:48. Next home among the women were Sabina Rogers in 1:55:38, and Michelle Fitzpatrick with 1:56:38. The podium finishers in the men’s race after Harden, saw a close tussle between Darren Lake in 1:22:17 and Matt North with 1:22:23.

The stars came out and shone brightly at the upper end of the age categories today, with Anne Elizabeth Boyd establishing an inaugural F70+ course record of 2:36:38, just one week after running the Sydney Marathon. David Iverach holds most of his age group records for most courses of the Sri Chinmoy Sydney Series, but had never run the Half-Marathon distance at Iron Cove. He rectified that today, duly setting a new M70+ record of 1:52:37. The final finisher had also run the furthest distance – David Vuaghan started today’s Half-Marathon needing only 4km to complete his virtual “Around Australia” run which has taken him no less than 5 years to complete – and added a further 17km for good measure. That’s an amazing effort, David!

Kaye Johnson won the F50-59 category with a wonderful 1:43:52, and Razz Wilkins the F60-69s in 2:00:27. Jon Schol was fastest among the M50-59 in a slick 1:38:45, with Christopher Jones taking out the M60-69s in style with 1:44:28.

It seems that runners nowadays are staying fitter and runner faster, for longer. It has been a distinct trend in recent years, that course records for older age categories have been challenged and eclipsed more and more often, by significant margins. The one-lap 7km race, for those who enjoy speed or just like to be home early, saw outright wins to runners in more mature age categories.

Raewyn Harlock already owns the F50-59 record for this distance, and today stepped up to take the F60-69 course best time and win the women’s race outright with a simply stellar run of 30:42. She makes it look easy! Sophie Collett was impressive in winning the Female Under 50 category in 31:05, with the next two finishers representing the Female 50-59 category – Sachiko Spears winning her age group with 32:04 from Zoe Melling’s 33:00. Next were FU50’s Mayumi Jomkamsing’s 35:11 and Rebecca Karantonis in 35:25. The other standout performance in this distance was Kathy Stanley, claiming a fine new course record for Female 70 and Over of 47:35.

The men’s race saw a fine win from the Male 50-59 category to Greg Churchill with 26:49, ahead of 1st placed Male Under 50, Nicholas Foale in 27:54. Next was another in the M50-59, Trevor Thomas with 28:00, then Ian Tattersall’s 28:26 and David Winning’s 28:33 in the MU50. Andrew Panos took out the M60-69 with 43:32, and Brian Rayburn the M70+ in a princely 38:31.

Louise Graham was in a class of her own in the 4km “sprint” race to run away in a new course record time of 15:31, from the Female 70 and Over category. Next home was Boys Under 13s winner, Oliver Fyfe with a fine 16:52. Yuya Sugiyama took the Male 17 and Over in 20:43, with Emma Sugiyama taking out the Girls Under 13 in 21:00, and Isabella Vincent Delgado, the Girls Under 17 with 22:02.

The Royal National Park is an ideal locale to appreciate the beauty and splendour of Nature. Running is the ideal way to imbibe and assimilate the power and sweetness of Nature. Racing in such an environment nourishes us integrally on all levels of our being, in the process drawing us inexorably closer to each other and to our inner selves: a shared celebration of the best in us all. So, under a benign forest canopy framed within a greater canopy of radiant blue, today was bound to be special.

Bringing together extraordinary people from all corners and walks of life, the running community is a wonderful family of mutual appreciation and support. One of the earliest to arrive on the scene in the pitch dark this morning to help register everyone and get the ball rolling, Annabel Hepworth is a 4-time Australian Ultra-Runner of the Year, fresh from another world-class performance in the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 6-Day Race in New York a few weeks ago. All who recognised Annabel eagerly serving up pancakes for hours post-race were at once in awe and appreciation of the dauntless enthusiasm and charming humility of a true champion. In praising Annabel, we appreciate the epitome of each and every volunteer, organiser, supporter and spectator who offer their all for the simple reason – they love to. Always, we receive more than we give.

It’s never a bad idea to go for a run in the bush. That was the philosophy informing one of Sydney’s foremost running clubs – “Billy’s Bushies” – back in the day, who would enjoy much for their running and training in and around Royal National Park. So it was especially pleasing to see Billy himself – William Hick, no less – front up to vigorously walk today’s 5km along the ever-delightful Lady Carrington Drive. Billy would have been proud also of another one of his early local members, Bob Fickel, who today completed his 297th marathon, with no sign of letting up any time soon.

Months of rainfall have left the track sodden in places, making the going a little more challenging today, though you wouldn’t have known that from the beaming, satisfied smiles around the pancake table. Congratulations to all who completed their first marathon, or their 297th, or anywhere in between, and to all who finished their respective Half-Marathons, 10km and 5km outings. Even the most-used cliché sometimes proves true, and so it was today: everyone was a winner.

It is said that one can never have too much of a good thing. In the case of running around Iron Cove, this adage certainly holds true. No matter what the conditions, in this inner city haven there is always beauty to behold, happiness to inhale and valour to savour. The course presents a passing pedestrian parade, a murmuring hum of contemporary humanity, from ambled conspiratorial gossip to aspiring elite athleticism. In amongst it all, each of us fits perfectly with our own gifts, goals, dreams and daily dramas. The Bay Run is so special, because we are The Bay Run.

Is it because the pancakes are not on offer in these times that overall participation numbers were slender today? In any case, the field was more intimate than usual, enabling a broader spectrum of contenders to claim prizes and glory. Congratulations to all who turned up and played your part, no matter what the distance!

The 3-lap Half-Marathon saw a breakaway run from James Costello, who early on realised he would be running solo and took up the mantle with a stylish showing of 1:16:59, with a chasing pack including Nero Zhang (1:18:04) and Michael Mangili-Vincent (1:18:28). Richard Sarkies ran a heroic race in the Male 50-59 to claim 6th outright with 1:21:23, well ahead of his rivals Eddie Guo (1:29:41) and Wai-Yat Yuen (1:35:24).  Gregory Leamon took out the M60-69 with 1:45:17; and Ben Dallamico the M 70 and Over in 2:15:06.

Jemima Bissett led home the women’s field with an impressive 1:38:04, ahead of Morgan Yuen’s 1:39:27, just edging out Phoebe Fear with 1:39:30. Lily Iamundi won the F50-59 with 2:00:19 from Barbara Hemingway’s 2:01:06; though both trailed the impressive June Southwell, who took home the F60-69 main prize in 1:52:26.

Thomas Virgona was a stand-out winner in the 7km men’s race, leading from the outset to finish with a huge lead in 23:14 (just 16 seconds outside the course record), from Joe Ghilks’ 25:52 and Eamon Bullock in 27:33. Lorenzo Modesto was first home in the M50-59 with 26:01, from Philip Balnave (27:18) and Bruce Burns (27:58); while Jimmy Owens stood first in the M60-69 with 33:51 from Christ Webster’s 34:58; and Derek Bolton took his category of M70 and Over with an impressive 37:01.

The women’s 7km race saw a fine win to Rosheen Boyle from the Female 50-59 category with 32:21, just ahead of Portia Palmerlee (F Under 50) in 32:24, from F50-59 2nd placed Zoe Melling (32:31), and Erin Jones’ 33:07, then Jessica Monaghan with 34:27. Tracey O’Donnell took 3rd spot int he F50-59 with 34:54. Rita Webster was fastest among the F60-69 in 3G 6:08; while Anne Elizabeth Boyd again excelled in the F 70 and Over with a new age group record of Phil Balnave ran 51:50.

Amber Kusano showed fine form and style to win the 4km race outright from the Girls Under 13s, in a wonderful 16:15. Erin Allison was next, 1st in the Girls Under 17 with 18:11. Laura Heaney won the Female 17 and Over category with 24:28, while Douglas Upton took out the Boys Under 13 with 44:31.

Our immense gratitude to all helpers and volunteers, especially the ever-enthusiastic Albert Ho and the irrepressible Kieron Blackmore.

Being the shortest distance and smallest field, and catering primarily for kids and newbies, we don’t usually start a race report with coverage of the 4km event. Today we do!

The all-comers course record for the Sri Chinmoy 4km loop at Centennial Park was set on Easter Monday in 2013 by Ali Najem, and stood unthreatened for 8 years – until today, when it was lowered by a full 8 seconds in a head-turning display of style and speed  – by Ali Najem. His new best time, 12:40. Thank you Ali, for the inspiration and sheer joy you bring through the passion, power and grace of your running!

Ali was not the only super-fast runner burning up the grass today, as he was chased by a flying Max Russell – whose awesome 12:59 set a new record for the Male Under 17 category – with Brady McIntyre also streets ahead of the rest of the field in 13:08.

Natasha Ward was next runner home, winning the Girls Under 17 in the process with an impressive 14:48. Tahli Weigand took out the Girls Under 13 with a well-below-4-minute-pace run of 15:45; and Natalie Malligan the Female 17 and Over with 17:18. Evan Rowbotham meanwhile won the Boys Under 13 in 15:11.

Usually one expects the early finishers in these races to be populated by the Male Under 50 category, yet the big story of today’s 7km one-lap race saw 3 of the top 5 placings upsetting this dominant paradigm. Yes, Nic Bailey won the race outright from the MU50s with his accustomed sleek style in 26:27 – yet next home was a flying Ella Higgins, taking out the women’s race and 2nd outright with a fantastic 26:39, a mere 12 seconds adrift of Nic. Ella barely held off the charge of Alan Wheat, 1st in the Male 50-59 and 3rd outright, winning his category in 26:42. Shaun Malligan got one back for the MU50 for 4th outright with 25:56, before Audrey Hall flew across the line next in 27:33. 3rd placed Female Under 50 was Amber Kusano with 32:45; with the same trophy in the Male Under 50 claimed by Joe Park (27:53).

Zoe Melling took out the Female 50-59 category with 33:27, from Kathleen Wallington’s 34:00 and Rosheen Boyle’s 34:47. Visiting legend Belinda Soszyn – who was also timing and producing results for the entire event with husband Greg D’Arcy – showed her ageless pedigree in winning the Female 60-69 with 35:44, from Rita Webster (39:11) and Sylvia Nichols (41:43); while Anne Elizabeth Boyd came home 1st in the Female 70 and Over with an impressive 50:43.

2nd in the Male 50-59 was Shane Maundrell with 32:22, from Aaron Francey’s 33:12; while Craig Saphin took out the Male 60-69 in 33:23, from Chris Webster with 36:51 and Marc Jarman in 39:28.

The advantage of the loop course is that spectators – while not seeing the entire race unfold – are at least treated to regular snapshots of the action, observing the entire field passing by 6 times in the course of the Half-Marathon. So it was that the excitement and anticipation built through the race as Gerber Koster was shadowed by Stuart Rennie through most of the distance. Who would make their move and how would the other respond? As it turns out, Gerber eased away over the final mile, to claim victory in 1:19:39 from Stuart’s 1:20:21, with John McCormack completing the podium positions with 1:24:33.

Though a lovely day for spectators and supporters, it was nevertheless deceptively warm for running more than one lap, and most runners found their times a little slower than might have been anticipated on a cooler morning.

Ruth Thomas was best on the day among the women, winning by a clear margin in 1:34:28, from Krista King (1:39:47) and Georgia Auchterlonie with 1:41:15. Soonchul Shin won a tight race in the Male 50-59 in 1:32:00, from a close-finishing Eddie Guo with 1:32:13 – a good distance ahead of their competition. Rob Ellis won the Male 60-69 with 1:51:51 from Gregory Leamon’s 1:57:53; while Paul Feain won the Male 70 and Over in 2:33:45. Elaine Glass earned the main prize in the Female 50-59 with 1:58:38; while Cheryl Parnham took home the trophy for 1st Female 60-69 with 2:21:29.

Congratulations to all participants and thanks to all helpers! Our special gratitude to Belinda Soszyn and Greg D’Arcy of Multisport Australia and Sports Splits for their generosity, kindness and superb professional service.

The deprivations of forced abstinence from competitive “actual” racing has had varying effects on runners. Some have gone into their shells and focussed on other pursuits; or hit their couches; or racked up dizzying miles on solo runs – while some have trained with single-minded purpose and discipline to be poised and ready – like a tautly coiled spring – to offer their transcendent best when the time would inevitably come … to race again. And when that time came – today – some were absolutely ready…

It’s a rare occurrence that a woman wins a Half-Marathon outright, amidst a strong male field. Rebecca Brown, listed first alphabetically among the online entrants, was issued with race bib Number 1 by the timing software … automated algorithm, or auspicious prescience? Among the earliest starters, some might have assumed Rebecca would be reeled in by some later-starting, fleet-of-foot strutters, yet each lap saw her only increasing her margin at front of field. Her dazzling rendition of 1:21:20 is an all-time female course record for this event in its 13-year history. Equally incredible and inspiring was the performance on the other side of the gender divide and farther edge of the age spectrum – David Iverach’s paradigm-bending new Male Over 70s record of 1:47:06!

Tiffany Knight followed Rebecca into 2nd placing in the Female Under 50 with a fine 1:32:17, followed by Sarah Maton’s 1:34:09; while Kim Pluess took out the Female 50-59 in 1:59:10.

Meanwhile, John McCormack won the men’s Half-Marathon with a breezy, consistent 1:23:23; with Nathan Tucker’s 1:26:39 earning him 2nd placing, ahead of David Lynch in 1:31:01. In the Male 50-59, it was Andrew Harris setting the bar with 1:32:23, only just outpacing Jeremy Smith’s 1:32:46, with Tom Reeve filling out the podium with 1:34:08.

With “pulse starts”, runners depart at random intervals, producing the uncertainty of not knowing exactly how one is faring against runners who might have started way ahead, or be bearing down on us from far behind. The only way to run in these circumstances is against oneself, giving it everything in the hope that will be enough to outpace one’s rivals. The final results show some incredibly close finishes, which invite speculation as to how these contests might have panned out if they had yielded real sprint finishes from a standard mass-start…

The 14km was a late addition to the palette of distances on offer, due to the City to Surf Virtual Race being held the same day, providing the perfect opportunity to effectively race two events simultaneously. The chance was embraced by a small, yet eager gathering.

Gerber Koster led the field in the 14km men’s contest with 50:47, ahead of Matt Dawson’s 51:22 and 51:55 from Chris Truscott – all 3 runners were spread across the field and would have had no idea of how their rivals were faring, or perhaps even who their rivals were!  Silvio de Vecchio took out the Male 50-59 with 1:07:28, from Stephen Bourke’s 1:09:36; while Tetsundo Kato was triumphant in the Male 60-69 with a fine run of 1:04:55, from Ron Schwebel’s 1:06:10.

Laura Roderick was fastest-finishing female in the 14km, a lone star under the hour with 58:42, from Sarah Whitely’s 1:03:50, just eclipsing Sophia Anicic with 1:03:56. Catherine Bolshesolsky was too good in the Female 60-69, finishing in style with 1:09:55, from Leonie Montgomery’s offering of 1:10:46 and 1:11:45 from Roisin Boyle. Anne Elizabeth Boyd claimed the inaugural Female 70 and Over 14km record with her outstanding contribution of 1:40:35.

In the 7km circuit, Audrey Hall ran the 2nd-swiftest overall time to win the women’s race in 27:33, with the next fastest time outright also coming from a female, Eva Laverty’s fine 28:09, while Kriszta Kovacs took 3rd in 29:49. The classy Katherine Wallington won the Female 50-59 with 34:45, from Susan MacCallum’s 37:10; while in the Female 60-69 it was the ever-reliable Sylvia Nichols again prevailing with 41:24 from an exceptionally strong group including Kathryn King (43:48) and Merridy O’Donnell (45:08).

It was Lachlan Stanfield who stole the glory of the men’s 7km one-lap exhibition, with a blistering 24:17, wining by the proverbial country mile from Manuel Geier’s 27:33 and Ochirkhuu Nansaljav with 29:03. Michael Parker took out the Male 50-59 with 37:09, from Kieran Bowie’s 38:01; while the lightning-fast Craig Saphin stormed the Male 60-69 with 31:28, ahead of the swift Rob Ellis (34:28), and a tight race between Marc Jarman (36:26) and Brian Radburn (36:29).

In the shorter races, the Under 17 Boys and Girls categories are sometimes under-represented, but not today! Outright race winner, Max Russell set an outstanding new Boys Under 17 record of 13:37, while 2nd-placed outright, Natasha Ward, similarly smashed the Girls Under 17 all-time course best with her outstanding 14:32. Nicky Verco was next home, taking 2nd in the BU17s with 14:43, while Grace Henry followed Natasha in their category with a classy run of 15:15.

In the Boys Under 13, Piers Galvin took the honours through his 15:23, from Thomas Altundag’s 16:22, while in the Male 17 and Over, it was Brad Sharpe (15:56) who set the pace from Joseph Tesvic’s 17:22. Lily Cooney was best among the Girls Under 13 with 16:59, from Nancy Newton’s 17:03; while Zyra McAuliffe took out the Female 17 and Over category with 19:38, ahead of 20:55 from Rebecca Williams.

On behalf of all runners and organisers, our deep gratitude to Greg D’Arcy and Belinda Soszyn of MultiSport Australia for their superbly professional registration and electronic timing and results service, and to the inexhaustibly cheerful Penny and Stephen Redfern, Kieron Blackmore, Eddie Oba and Rita Kazzi, along with volunteers from the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team of Mongolia, Canberra and Sydney.