Sri Chinmoy Sydney Series 2016, race 5: Dolls Point Marathon, Half-Marathon, 10km & 5km runs, Sunday 10 July 2016
After a week of relentless rain in Sydney, one could have been forgiven for assuming that the Bureau of Meteorology’s forecast for Sunday was a joke: a UV warning was issued!
When the rain started falling again at 3.30am, another day of drizzle beckoned. Yet the Bureau’s forecast proved absolutely correct – the sun shone, coats were cast off and yes, sunscreen was applied.
The Sri Chinmoy Dolls Point Festival of Running has seen all manner of conditions over the years: cold, rain and gale force winds which once blew hats and even eye glasses off runners on the crossing of the Captain Cook Bridge. Yet today’s conditions proved the best yet, with mild temperatures and nary a breeze.
Construction works on a section of cycle path just south of Peter Depena Reserve enforced a late change to the course, with a detour along suburban footpaths and a consequent shortening of the northern turnaround point. Because this revised course could not be officially measured and certified in time, unfortunately any course records which might have been set cannot be recognised.
The marathoners were first to get the legs turning over, at 7am, followed an hour later by the Half-Marathoners, then in turn the10km and 5km runners. Thien Vuong led from the outset and ran a steady pace the whole way to record a good win in the men’s marathon in 2:58:24, though Lachlan Dansie was not far behind in 2:59:48, delighted with his first-ever sub-3 hour effort. Glenn Gielissen was 4th outright and 1st in the Male 50-59 with 3:10:56; while Leon Barnard led home the Male 60-69 in 3:44:51.
Athene Chariot, making her long-awaited return to the Sri Chinmoy Sydney Series after a lengthy hiatus, looked comfortable in the lead of the women’s marathon, but sadly had to withdraw from the fray due to injury. We hope your absence will not be not so long this time Athene, and wish you a speedy recovery!
Kirby Clarke, running in her first-ever Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team event, ran strongly throughout to record a fine win in 3:36:09; while Jane Trumper was dauntless in her Female 50-59 victory in 4:07:19.
Sara Burgess was dominant in the women’s Half-Marathon, winning in an exceptional 1:31:14. Vicki Jeffreys was 2nd overall in the women’s race in taking out the Female 50-59 with her strong run of 1:37:30; while Veronica Hopkins won the Female 60-69 in 2:29:25.
Timothy Molesworth meanwhile had won the men’s race in a solid 1:17:45. Stephen Orr took out the Male 50-59 in 1:29:45; and Noel Weeks the male 60-69 with 1:51:23.
The closest race of the day was in the men’s 10km event, with Matt Craft (37:03) just edging out Nelson Santos’ 37:07. Greg Rankin took out the Male 50-59 in 47:17, though both more senior age groups did progressively better – Brian Radburn winning the Male 60-69 in a faster time of 45:42; and David Iverarch the Male 70 and Over with a splendid 45:29.
Bronwyn Wood won the women’s 10km in 43:11; Tracey O’Donnell the Female 50-59 in 49:37; Rosemary Roedigger the Female 60-69 in 46:37; and the indefatigable Kerry Bray the Female 70 and Over with 1:02:47.
A relatively sparse field turned up for the 5km race today, though what they lacked in numbers was certainly made up for in eagerness. Carter Clifton was rewarded with 1st place in the Boys Under 13 with 26:08; Gerard McMahon took out the Male 17 and Over in 21:49 – but it was Louise Graham who took line honours in the race for the women in 21:17.
Our special congratulations and gratitude to Trent Morrow: congratulations for completing his 309th marathon today, and gratitude for supplying 2 pairs of superb Altra running shoes as prizes for a few of today’s winners!
Please also enjoy this wonderful selection of photos from Shane Braz Photography!