Choose from the links below for full results by category for the Sri Chinmoy Centennial Park Half-Marathon, 7 km and 4 km Runs held on Sunday 23 November 2008 (results are in PDF format).
Sri Chinmoy Centennial Park Race Report
23 November 2008: Whoever was orchestrating the weather for Sunday morning in Centennial Park seemed unable to make up their mind- will it be calm or will the wind blow? Will it rain or shine? In the end, we got a bit of everything- a few light showers and a morning too cool for sunbathing, but ideal for a run in the Park.
With a field nearly twice the size of any other race in the Sri Chinmoy Sydney Series for 2008, there was a buzz of anticipation as runners prepared for their cross-country Half-Marathon- 3 laps of a scenic 7 km circuit on dirt tracks and grass, taking in most of the ponds, fields and glades of this delightful park, one of the true treasures of Sydney.
Those not opting for the Half-Marathon could select one 7 km circuit, or an alternative 4 km loop, so there was a race distance to suit most athletes. The Half-Marathoners were first to head out around the perimeter of the McKay Playing Fields and into the distance; followed by the 7 km athletes in two waves- men and women- and lastly the 4 km runners and walkers.
Dave Holtsbaum was first home in the 4 km in 13:46, followed closely by the first Under 17 Boy, Daniel Siepen in 13:49. Daniel Heaslip took first in the Under 13 Boys in 15:58. Simone Newton came in first for the women in 17:45, with the first-placed Under 17 Girl, Katherine Squire (19:53), also placing second outright. Georgia Holtsbaum won the Under 13 Girls' race in 22:15.
The outstanding run of the day in the 7 km came from Natasha Cole (pictured), clocking 27:05 over the challenging cross-country course, a time bettered by only 3 males, including outright winner Hao Lu's 25:52. Kieron Blackmore took first place in the Men 50-59 with 28:56, and Sylvia Nichols the Women 50-59 in 34:06, while John Bowman was the premier 60+ Male in 38:07, matched by Dot Siepman, first Female 60+ in 42:43. The 7 km saw a record field of 88 women and 80 men crossing the line.
Through all the excitement of the 4 km and 7 km races the Half-Marathoners kept coming in alongside the finish- and heading out again, three times in all. With the orientation of the course taking the route past the start/finish area again after 1.5 km of each loop, this gave onlookers and supporters a chance to see the Malf-Marathoners no fewer than 7 times, from the one vantage point. The seventh sighting came as the athletes headed into the finish chute.
First home in a new course record (this is the first time this course has been used for the Half-Marathon distance), was Darren Moyle, who ran solo for almost the whole race and finished over 2 minutes clear of the field in an impressive 1:17:44. Ryan Waddington, Pete Conway and Richard Green (pictured) arrived within 20 seconds of each other, vying for the minor placings behind Ryan. Wayne Gregory was first Male 50-59 in 1:27:31, Rob Connolley first Male 60-69 in 1:34:59, and Bert Sloan flew the flag for the 70+ group in 2:09:47.
The women's race saw a tighter tussle for line honours between the superb Amy Wilkinson (1:28:08) and Kate Hodson (1:28:28), with Greta Truscott not far adrift in 1:29:24. Ann Owen was first Female 50-59 in 1:58:55.
Full results are now published.
A photo album from the day is coming soon.
Choose from the links below for full results by category for the Sri Chinmoy Iron Cove 16 km, 8 km and 4 km Fun-Runs held on Sunday 2 November 2008 (results are in PDF format).
Sri Chinmoy Iron Cove Race Report
Sydney, 2 November 2008: Conditions could not have been kinder for the Sri Chinmoy Fun-Runs at Iron Cove this morning. After the mini heat wave of last week, we were greeted by a cool but not-too-brisk morning, the gentlest of breezes and a benign cloud cover.
A sociable group of 185 diverse runners gathered to test themselves over one of 3 distances on offer- 4 km, 8 km or 16 km.
Under 17 runner, Daniel Siepen was first to tread the finish chute, completing 4 km in 13:31, followed by Tim Sheedy in the Male 17+ category in 13:45, and Daniel Heaslip (Boys Under 13) in 15:15. Simone Newton won the Women's 4 km race by over a minute in 17:24, with Erica Stubbings first Girl Under 17 in 21:07, and Georgia Holtsbaum first Girl Under 13 in 21:13.
The 8 km saw an extraordinary turn of events, with Over 50's David McEwan winning the race outright in 30:52. He was followed in by Sri Chinmoy Sydney race regular, Pavol Sefcik from Slovakia, winning the Under 50s category in 31:14. Not far back came John Burroughs, taking first place from two other Johns in an impressive contingent of Over 60s Men.
Meanwhile Audrey Hall was outstanding in winning the Women's 8 km race by several minutes, finishing in 34:47. Pennie Psaltis continued her good form in the Women 50-59 with a fine 39:38, while Kerry Bray led the charge for the over 60's in 45:43.
The 8 km attracted the largest field of the day, with 89 finishers thoughtfully staggering their arrival so the queue at the pancake table was never too long.
The stellar performance of the day came from Paul Himberger (left)- 55:12- in the 16 km race, maintaining a considerably faster pace throughout than any of the runners in the 8 km. Paul led from the outset and, despite his commanding lead, never relaxed his focus, form and determination. The only other runner under the hour was Pete Conway in 59:22.
John Dawlings was untested in taking line honours in the Men 50-59 in 1:07:45, while Rob Connolley, fresh off the plane from England, was not far behind John in 1:10:11 for a remarkably fresh first-place Men 60-69. Bert Sloan championed the cause of the older runner, first home in the Men 70+.
As shining as Paul's run was, Christine Wong was even further ahead of the field in her race, clocking an impressive 1:08:07 for the 16 km- always looking calm, poised and in control. Ann Owen was first in the Women 50-59 in 1:27:58.
A friendly, jovial mood pervaded the race today, both along this classic course and at the post-event gathering.
Full results and a photo album are now published.
Click on the link below to see full category results for the Sri Chinmoy Cooks River 16 km, 8 km and 4 km Runs held at Ewen Park, Hurlstone Park on 7 September 2008
Click on the link below to see full category results for the Sri Chinmoy Prospect Creek 24 km, 12 km and 6 km Runs held at the Jack Ferguson Recreation Area, Greystanes on 3 August 2008
Sri Chinmoy Iron Cove Race Report 18 May 2008
Sometimes we blame the weather forecasters when they 'get it wrong.' Today we couldn't have been happier! Forecast- cold, with constant rain and strong wind; actual weather- refreshingly cool under sunny skies with a sea breeze.
The SMH Half-Marathon occupied thousands of runners this morning, leaving a smaller but no-less enthusiastic and appreciative field to enjoy a more open run around the bay at the Sri Chinmoy Iron Cove 16 km, 8 km and 4 km, the third race in the Sri Chinmoy Sydney Series for 2008.
Understandably, the 16 km race was the most effected by the proximity of one of Australia's largest Half Marathons, a friendly field of 26 runners enjoying near-perfect conditions for an extended morning run. Joel Organ took line honours in 1:01:59, with Christine Wong leading home the women in 1:10:52. 6th fastest time on the day was recorded by David Elliot in the M60-69 division with a stirring 1:18:53!
69 runners assembled for the 8 km race- once along the scenic bayside pathway to the 4 km turnaround point and return. Heading the majority female field, Louise Graham performed fantastically well to place 5th outright in 33:18, while Male 50-59 entrant Greg Muir ran 3rd overall in 30:53, behind outright winner Greg Greene's 29:39.
The 4 km race is usually a more intimate outing, this time drawing 21 runners and walkers to the start by the bay in Leichhardt Park. Unusually, the first 4 runners across the line all placed 1st in their category: Mohan Dhall (Male 17 and Over) breasted the tape in 14:56, followed by Will Chaffey (1st Boys Under 17) in 15:24; Benjamin Moss (1st Boys Under 13) in 15:29; and Rebekah Cormack (1st Girls Under 17) in 15:46.
Full results are now published. A photo gallery will follow soon.
The next race in the Sri Chinmoy Sydney Series will be held at Mirambeena Regional Reserve (Georges Hall) on Sunday 22 June. Distances are 16 km, 8 km and 2 miles, along a most beautiful course following cycle paths through refreshing natural bushland between Prospect Creek and Lake Gillawarna. Online entries are now open.
Meanwhile, follow the progress of an inspiring relay enjoying the Australian countryside and hospitality while carrying a peace torch around the globe- the World Harmony Run- at www.worldharmonyrun.org/au.
"Each individual
Is a runner along Eternity's Road,
Passing on
The inspiration-torch of life."
- Sri Chinmoy
Sri Chinmoy Centennial Park 14, 7 & 4km Race Report
Easter Monday, 24 March 2008
The modern steeple-chase includes water troughs on a synthetic track - a quaint hangover from the peculiarly English notion that any proper cross-country course (as the steeple-chase originally was) must include getting wet - and preferably muddy - as a necessary feature.
Such purists would have been pleased to awaken this morning to the pitter-patter of gentle rain, sent it seems to 'soften up' the tracks of Centennial Park in preparation for the Sri Chinmoy 14 km, 7 km & 4 km cross-country races. The pitter-patter had become a mild deluge by the time the race got under way, ensuring not even the most pernickety puddle-o-phobe would remain unmuddied. The rain in turn made way for sunshine so fierce that the final few kms of the long race became a toil in the heat.
Despite the muddy conditions, every winner of every category in every race with the exception of the Under 13 girls in the 4 km, set new course records! This may be partly because the only time these races were previously held (in September last year), it was even wetter and muddier than today...
The 4 km race was last to start and first to finish, with Boys Under 17 entrant Jordan Williams winning the race outright in 14:48, a fine time in the conditions. Girls Under 17 runner Emily Hancock narrowly missed emulating Jordan's feat, finishing second overall to Rebecca Gorman in 17:46. Fine races also from Emily's younger sister Isabelle, winning the Girls Under 13 division in 21:57, and Benjamin Moss taking the Boys Under 13 title in 18:21.
Dimitri Kontopos set the 7 km course alight (figuratively), finishing a minute and a half ahead of his nearest rival in an outright course record of 23:48. Lucy Starrat meanwhile ran an even more impressive race to finish in 25:27, just behind 2nd place outright. Other outstanding performances in the 7 km race came from James Bok, winning the Male 60-69 division in a dashing 30:25, and the ever-green Norma Wallett, 1st place Female 70+ in 48:49, just behind Lidy Groen in the Female 60-69 division.
While 64% of the 7 km field were female, over 67% of the 14 km field were male, indicating... no idea, but a statistic none the less.
The Under 50 men's 14 km race saw a ding-dong 3-way tussle for most of the race, with Richard Green (53:12) outsprinting Craig McLear by a second. Pete Conway completed the trifecta, all 3 besting the previous course record. Aurelie Daix was first woman home in 1:03:06. also a course best time. Ray James saw off John Dawlings to take out the men 50-59 course record in 1:01:17, and Linda Barwick led the women 50-59 home in 1:18:16, only a few minutes behind Steve Dennett's 1:15:54 in the men 60-69.
Full category results are published, along with a photo album from the race.
The next race in the Sri Chinmoy Sydney Series is back to Iron Cove for 16 km, 8 km and 4 km on Sunday 18 May. If you are not racing the SMH Half Marathon, or would prefer a shorter distance or a smaller crowd, we look forward to seeing you there. Online entries are now open.
Sri Chinmoy Iron Cove Race Report
24 February 2008
It has been four years but on Sunday (24 February) it seemed like only yesterday that the last Sri Chinmoy race was held around Iron Cove. Many of the 'old' faces returned, along with plenty of runners sampling their first race of the new Sri Chinmoy Sydney Series for 2008.
The "Bay Run" is rightly renowned as one of Sydney's most popular running venues. The flat, wide cycle path following the shoreline offers a scenic, rejuvenating and never lonely run. The very popularity of the course also offers one of its main challenges: there are always plenty of recreational runners, walkers, cyclists and roller-bladers enjoying the same benefits! Most users are very respectful of others, and runners accept that navigating a route betwixt pedestrians is part of the adventure of this course.
A remarkable feature of the field assembled for Sunday's race was that the women outnumbered the men - 115 to 95. This ratio would have been unheard of during the first 'running boom' of the '80s when women were still minority participants. That more women are not only running nowadays, but also participating in races is a great testimony to the progress of the sport over the last 30 years.
35 runners lined up for the 4 km race, which was convincingly won by John Hughes in 14:35. Clara Dziedziczak, first in the Under 17 Girls was also first female overall in 19:07. With medals for Under 13 and Under 17 Categories, it would be pleasing to see more younger runners participating in the shorter distance race at future events.
8 km proved to be the preferred distance on the day, with 110 entrants completing the once-out-and-back course. While Natasha Cole (left)scorched the field in the women's race - her 31:26 placing her 6th outright and over 8 minutes ahead of her nearest rival - the men's race saw a much closer tussle with Charlie Brooks only drawing away from Greg Greene as they entered the finish chute, to win by a mere one second.
The pace was on in the men's 16 km, passing through half-way in a little over the time of the winners for the 8 km race. Darren McClellan (right) and Sebastian Hatercamp both narrowly missed breaking the one-hour mark, finishing in 1:00:21 and 1:00:36 respectively. Sally Lynch (1:11:47) meanwhile powered ahead from Sharon Antonir (1:12:35) in the women's race.
A cooler morning was welcomed by all runners, and when the mercury started rising by the second lap of the 16 km run, it was tempered by a sea breeze. The feeling amongst all competitors was friendly and convivial, a perfect start to a glorious Sunday in Sydney.
Full results by category are now published for all 3 races, along with a photo album from the day's action.
Race 2 in the Sri Chinmoy Sydney Series is a delightful cross-country course in Centennial Park, with 14 km, 7 km and 4 km options to be staged on Easter Monday, 24 March. Online entries are now open.
Meanwhile on Sunday 16 March, escape to beautiful Jindabyne in the foothills of the Snowy Mountains for a race you will never forget: the Sri Chinmoy Multi-Sport Classic is 12 legs of running, mountain biking, swimming and paddling for solo athletes and relay teams, a varied and tremendously satisfying course with something for everyone.