News
World Record Holder v Commonwealth Champion v World Champ v Weekend Warrior
In what has quickly become the best quality road race ever staged in Australia outside of the Sydney Olympics, the men’s field for the HBA Great Australian Run will feature the world marathon record holder, the world marathon champion and now the reigning Commonwealth Games marathon champion, after it was announced that Tanzanian Samson Ramadhani will toe the start line on Sunday 30 November.
Ramadhani will join reigning world marathon champion Luke Kibet, the great Haile Gebrselassie and Australia’s number one road runner Craig Mottram at the head of the field for the 15km classic on the streets of Melbourne.
However, the vast majority of entrants will be casual weekend joggers and walkers of all levels, enjoying this unique opportunity to run with the world’s best athletes whilst targeting their own personal goals and in many cases, raising money for their own favourite charity.
Entries are still open at www.greataustralianrun.com.au
In a further boost, Kenyan star Patrick Makau, the two-time world half marathon silver medallist, has also confirmed his intention to run.
Makau has run more sub-one hour half marathon times than any other runner, and his best 15km time of 41:34 produced last year, is just five seconds outside the world record of 41:29.
However at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Ramadhani, now 25, stole the show in the men’s marathon, crossing the finish line in 2:11:29. The two-time Olympian has a best time of 1:02:07 for the half marathon.
One man who was very impressed with Ramadhani’s feat, and the support that Australians gave him as he made his way throughout the streets of Melbourne and onto the hallowed turf of the Melbourne Cricket Ground, was Great Run founder Brendan Foster.
The 1976 Olympic 10,000m bronze medallist was commentating on the Commonwealth Games for the BBC when he fell in love with the city and its people and decided that a Great Run had to be staged in Melbourne.
“I thought the atmosphere and response from the city to the major events happening on their roads such as cycling, triathlon and the marathon was superb,” Foster said.
“I believe that the people of Melbourne will respond to a world class event such as the HBA Great Australian Run.
“We will deliver a world class event with the best athletes in the world all being joined by the masses motivated to achieve their own personal goals and raise money for their favourite charity.”
The once in a life time opportunity to run with the world’s best athletes and thousands of pavement pounders has enticed a number of our well known sports stars including AFL footballers Trent Cotchin (Richmond), Bryce Gibbs (Carlton) and Jobe Watson (Essendon), HSV Dealer Team members Rick Kelly and Paul Dumbrell and jockeys Steve Baster, Brad Rawiller and Chris Symons. And not forgetting the most recognisable voice in the entertainment industry – comedian Dave Hughes – who is also set to have some fun in the run on November 30!
The race will be telecast live by Network Ten around Australia from 8.30am on race day, and the coverage will also be seen by millions around the globe when the highlights program is later transmitted by Great Run partner stations in Europe, Africa and Asia and by Fox Sports in Australia.
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