By LIAM DELANY
THE 4th annual Mansfield Marathon was blessed with amazing weather and strong numbers with over 600 competitors toeing the line in the 2km, 5km, 10km, 21.1km and 42.2km events.
The event was a big fundraiser for women’s cancer research raising over $10,000, as well at the Mansfield Athletics club and the Friends of the Great Victorian Rail Trail.
Run entirely by volunteers the community can be proud of organising such a big event and raising important funds for cancer research and also going back into our community.
Somali born but now living in Melbourne Abdi Rhoble took out the mens marathon in a strong time of 2:32.26 followed by John Clark and Tomas Franklin who where only 9 seconds apart and both just dipped under 3hrs.
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In the women’s marathon Emily Hill ran 3:38.44 to win with Lauren Scott and Tarryn Elvish close behind rounding out the podium.
Thanks to Mansfield Constructions they shared $1800 prize money for their effort.
In the Proactive Tax Half marathon it was Shepparton’s Jack Gospel who took out the men's race in a time of 1:12.51 from Andrew McGrath and Bryce Leigh.
Melbourne’s Tracey Austin claimed the women’s victory with Bel Bainger and Kate Blampied coming in just 4 secs apart to make up the podium and sharing $1500.
The Delatite Hotel 10km saw Albury’s Eric Wood win the mens with 35:51 followed by Mitch Whitham and Josh Rankin.
In the women’s race Natalie Rooks won in a time of 37:30 with Alice Walker and Elidh Grigg completing the podium and sharing the $900.
The Sportspower 5km saw Ringwood's Max Andison win in a time of 16:35, Toby Prothero was just 6 seconds behind and then Evan Brophy turned back the clock to out sprint a teenager by a chest hair to get that all important bronze!
Mansfield young gun Franzi Stumpf ran 20:18 to win the women’s race with Emma Wyatt and Sarah Cavill placing second and third respectively.
The 2km Primary Challenge had over 70 runners who all did amazing, there were U8, U10 and U12 category winners as well as overall.
We also accidentally introduced a category for the first 5 runners who missed the turning point (our fault) at the 1km mark and did 5km instead!
We plan to make some changes to the event to grow the 2km event and do a much better job, promise!
The event hub was like a party with so many local food and drink stalls, Felix the DJ and heaps of people there to cheer, it really was a fantastic atmosphere.
Massive thank you to the Mansfield Shire for helping with all the organisation and infrastructure to make it such a great event for the Mansfield Community but also for the many visitors to our town.
Mansfield Athletics has regular running training sessions and holds small club events and social runs suitable to all ages and abilities.
Please get in touch with Liam if you would like to find out more on liam@northeastsports.com.au
