12.10.2009

Engler, Flint collect national marathon crowns

Melbourne has turned on its best spring weather for the weekend's St.George Melbourne Marathon and national marathon championships, providing the perfect backdrop for a record field of over 23,000 runners and walkers as they made their way towards the finish line on the magnificent MCG.

Over 4000 runners took part in the full 42.195km marathon. Every finisher had a special story or moment of inspiration, however there were some that really captured the hearts of all who were at the MCG.

For Jenny Gillard, today was a day to celebrate the life and sporting achievement of her late sister Kerryn McCann, who gave Australia one of its greatest ever sporting moments when she won the Commonwealth Games marathon at the MCG in 2006.

Kerryn’s son Benton fired the start gun for the marathon.  Gillard raced in memory of her sister to finish in eighth position, in what she said was a thrilling and emotional day.  “I’m happy, emotional and proud to be a part of the Melbourne Marathon.  It was a great feeling running in to the MCG,” she said.

“It’s been an emotional few weeks of tears and happiness and when I saw Benny (at the start line) it was such a great feeling. There’s so many memories for us here.”

Event ambassador Rob De Castella summed up the day.  “It’s been absolutely sensational, a huge day. The weather has really contributed to the quality of the event. The event itself has lifted and continues to get better and better. It’s Melbourne at its very best.”

MELBOURNE MARATHON

In the men’s race, Ethiopia’s Asnake Fekadu became the first international athlete in 25 years to successfully defend his Melbourne Marathon title, while Lisa Flint, a 24-year-old from Newcastle, NSW, took line honours in the women’s race.

As first Australian female and overall winner, Flint picked up the hat-trick of Melbourne Marathon champion, national marathon title and winner of the inaugural Kerryn McCann Memorial Trophy.

Remarkably, Flint only started running three years ago after watching Kerryn McCann win the Commonwealth Games marathon in 2006. “I remember watching Kerryn’s face at the finish (of the marathon), and she’s been an inspiration. It was a buzz just entering the stadium today.”

Flint beat pre-race favourite, Japan’s Satoko Uetani, by 46 seconds, smashed her personal best time by more than 13 minutes and recorded a Commonwealth Games qualifying time of 2:34.08. “Honestly, that (Delhi) wasn’t even on my radar,” said a genuinely surprised Flint.

Fekadu was led out for the first half of the marathon by compatriot Wondwosen Geleta, who also recorded a PB to finish second overall. Fekadu left Geleta at the 25km mark, and despite the early pace set by the two Ethiopian runners, he faded over the final few kilometres to win in 2:17.32, just 14 seconds quicker than in last year’s more challenging conditions.

“I was a little bit slow today,” Fekadu said. “My target now is to be a three-time winner.”

In another promising sign for Australia’s rising marathon stars, first-time marathoner Dale Engler (SA), finished third overall in the marathon and won the men’s national title.

The 27-year-old steeplechaser only entered to be part of the South Australian team, and he could not believe he had claimed the national title. “When I went through halfway in about 70.30, I thought I’d gone out too hard and was waiting to fall apart. I might have to run another one now,” he said.

St.George Melbourne Marathon: Top five males

1. Asnake Fekadu (ETH) 2:17.32

2. Deresse Wondwosen (ETH) 2:23.05

3. Dale Engler (SA) 2:24.42

4. Jay Philpotts (Vic) 2:25.15

5. Richard Gleisner (Vic) 2:25.21

St.George Melbourne Marathon: Top five females

1. Lisa Flint (NSW) 2:34.08

2. Satoko Uetani (JAP) 2:34.54

3. Magda Karimali-Poulos (NSW) 2:40.54

4. Michelle Bleakley (Vic) 2:41.21

5. Anita Keem (NSW) 2:45.10

HALF MARATHON AND 10KM EVENTS

Victorians took the honours in both the men’s and women’s half marathon events, with Clinton Perrett and Hanny Alston winning overall. Perrett, the reigning national cross country champion, beat last year’s winner and fellow Victorian Shane Nankervis, with the ACT’s Anthony Haber rounding out the podium.

WA’s Lauren Shelley was second and Claire Ashworth from South Australia finished third in the SALONPAS half marathon.

The 10km run was won by Mark Tucker after a three-way duel with Liam Adams and Leon Griffin. After running nearly the entire distance together, Tucker and Adams broke away as they entered the MCG, with Tucker winning by a short half head in a thrilling photo finish.

As expected, Sarah Jamieson comfortably won the women’s race in her first appearance at the MCG since winning silver in the Commonwealth Games 1500m event in 2006.