14.05.2009

Record field gets set for Canberra Half

A record 800 runners are set to line up for the 40th annual Canberra Half Marathon on Sunday.

Entrants will start the 21.1km half marathon course at Yarralumla in the ACT, with the winner of the event expected to cross the line in Lennox Gardens just over an hour later.

The best-credentialed male athletes gearing up for Sunday’s run are Scott McTaggart and Erwin McRae, both highly experienced runners who would be right at home in any distance running event around Australia.  

A former winner of the event and runner-up in 2008, McTaggart enters the event with form on his side.

Earlier this year McRae blitzed the field in the Weston Creek Half Marathon, stopping the clock at 66.34 to take out the event more than six minutes ahead of his nearest rival.

McTaggart and McRae will be expected at the finish line just over an hour after the starter's gun sounds, the pair set to cover the Canberra course in the equivalent of 2:12.00 marathon pace.  

In the women’s field Sydney athlete Sara Burgess, third in last year’s event, will start favourite for line honours.

To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the annual event Julian Scott, winner of the inaugural race through Canberra back in 1970, will send the runners on their way. He will be joined at the start line by fellow competitors from the first Canberra run Dave McInnes, Alan Wilson, Graeme Small, Dennis Smith and Geoff Moore.  

Local runner Nick Blackaby will become the first person to complete 20 Canberra Half Marathons when he crosses the line on Sunday.