FITZROY FALLS MARATHON DAY.
Saturday 27th September, 2008
Race Day Review
Near perfect conditions – at 8am the start time for the Fitzroy Falls Fire Trail Marathon. But by 10am the temperature had built up and accordingly cancelled out any thought of record times.
The lead male runners throughout the race are both Australian representatives, in both 24 hour and 100km teams. Tim Cochrane ended up winning in a time of 3 hours 4 minutes 42 seconds, with Jonathon Blake (winner in 2005) second in 3 hours 4 minutes and 58 seconds. Brendan Davies was third in 3 hours 7 minutes and 37 seconds.
In the women's event Kate Hodson was a clean winner in a time of 3 hours 24 minutes and 51 seconds from Kerrie Bremner ( 3hr45min49sec) and Sarah Leal (3hr58min58sec).
A total of 97 runners faced the gun – 27 of whom were women, a record.
Records were broken in the shorter races.
Emily Brichacek (2nd in the City to Surf) won the 10Km in a record time of 36 minutes 53 seconds, bettering her own previous record by 1 minute 39 seconds. Second was Zoe Cameron (46min18sec) with third Trish Keating (47min46sec).
In the men's 10km Stephen Brown (10th in the City to Surf) again won – this time in 33min 58sec, ahead of Scott Imhoff in 37min 40sec.
But it was in the 5Km that the top runners were on fire. Lara Tamsett won in a record time of 17min 32sec from Bridey Delany (18min25sec) and Alexis McKillop (who fell) in 18min54sec. All are Australian team runners.
Michael Harrison from Sydney Uni took out the men's 5Km – another record in 16min19sec. This broke the time of last year's winner Ryan Gregson who is another Australian representative. Second Henry Hobson from Exeter in 20min 51sec is only 15 years of age, with Denis Ling aged 54 years third in 20min 58 sec.
The number of entrants was again up, ensuring a record disbursement to the Rural Bush Fire Brigades in our area. Last year we raised $6027. The total number of entrants was 288 – let's get above 300 next year.
Again the feedback from runners has been very supportive. Great part of the world, great course, great organisation. But of critical importance is the underwriting of the evens by MFGlobal, an International Funds Manager. They provide the very generous prize monies – costly which otherwise would have to be met by the Rural Fire Brigades. A great day – but next year our 10th will be even better.
Max Powditch
Race Director