15.12.2009

Good Tucker at Cadbury

Athletics Tasmania and Cadbury have confirmed the signing of current Burnie Ten and Launceston Ten title-holder Mark Tucker for the 2010 Cadbury Half Marathon.
 
Thirty-year-old Tucker has been one of the top Australian distance runners in 2009, clocking big city 10km victories at Burnie, Launceston and Melbourne. In August he represented Australia at the IAAF world championships in athletics, placing 47th over the marathon distance.
 
One of Australia’s most versatile distance runners, Tucker has won national medals over all distances from 1500m to 10,000m and represented Australia in both the half marathon and marathon.
 
On Sunday, January 10 he will run the Cadbury Half Marathon with the course record of 66 minutes firmly in his sights. “It will all come down to weather. I’m in shape to run that fast and will be doing my best to run as fast as I can,” Tucker said from his home in Melbourne.
 
With close to 300 entries already received, the 2010 Cadbury Marathon has also captured the attention of many more elite athletes. Making a return to the event are Cadbury Marathon defending champions David Criniti and Liz Bennett.

Criniti enters the race with form on his side, posting his maiden marathon victory at the 2009 Cadbury Marathon and going on to win the Australian 50km Championships held in conjunction with the Canberra Marathon in April. Following his win at Cadbury in January, Criniti declared he would be back to break Colin Oliver’s course record of 2:23.59 in 2010. Bennett returns to the Cadbury course attempting to add to her wins from 2004 and 2009.
 
Joining Criniti on the start line for the 2010 Cadbury Marathon will be Sydneysider Anthony Farrugia, who recorded a personal best 2:27.35 in placing third at the Canberra Marathon this year. Californian Larry Claylock will also be making the trip over from the USA for the race on January 10 and is likely to add interest to the race, given he carries a personal best time of under 2:40.00.
 
Combined with the interstate and international interest, many of Tasmania’s top runners are also set to line up for the races which double as the Tasmanian Marathon and Half Marathon Championships.
 
In another coup for the 2010 Cadbury Marathon, the Australian Masters Half Marathon Championships will also be run in conjunction with the event. The AMA Championships have already attracted aver 50 participants from around the country.
 
Adding to the day's program will be a new race, The Running Edge 2.5km. The full day's program features:
 
· Cadbury Marathon (including Tasmanian Championships) – 6am

· Cadbury Half Marathon (including Tasmanian Championships and Australian Masters Association Championships) – 7am

· Caramello 1.25km kids race – 9:30am

· The Running Edge 2.5km race – 10am

Many new initiatives have been implemented for the 2010 Cadbury Marathon, including the SKINS recovery centre for post event massages and recovery tips.  With over $11,000 in cash and spot prizes up for grabs, it is one of Hobart’s premier running events.
 
Entries to all events are now open at www.cadburymarathon.com.au, or entry forms can be collected from The Running Edge, Europcar, Athletics Tasmania or the Mercure Hobart.