Marathon attracts big field of runners

Marathon runner Heidi Rickard, of Blaxland won her fourth consecutive Western Sydney Marathon on the weekend at Penrith Regatta Centre.

Western Sydney Marathon winners Heidi Rickard and Brendan Davies celebrate. Picture: JGRimages

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Marathon runner Heidi Rickard, of Blaxland won her fourth consecutive Western Sydney Marathon on the weekend at Penrith Regatta Centre.

Western Sydney’s premier running event attracted 140 runners from local regions, interstate and internationally.

Regatta centre administration and marketing manager Matt Adamson said: “We had 1338 runners in the 5km 10km, half marathon and the marathon.

“That’s a record for the event,” he said.

The half marathon runners set off. Picture: JGRimages

He said several hundred spectators turned up to cheer the runners.

Rickard ran the marathon in 3hr 10min 8 sec; Brendan Davies won the men’s marathon in 2hrs 43min 24 sec.

“It was not my fastest run because we had to face a headwind and it felt like slow motion towards the end,” she said.

Start of the 10km event. Picture: JGRimages

“It was hotter in the previous marathons with the humidity and I preferred the windy conditions this time.

Rickard said she had run two marathons earlier this year in Orange and Canberra.

She said she had run about 25 marathons in her running career.

The Western Sydney Marathon attracted a big field this year. Picture: JGRimages

Rickard said the Western Sydney Marathon was growing every year and would be beneficial for the area.

Adamson said the marathon drew a number of international marathon runners who were in Sydney for other reasons.

“They are attracted to the event because it’s obvious they are keen runners — it’s a fast course, they can set a really good time, and the location, the Regatta Centre, is close to Blue Mountains.

“Both marathon winners are event ambassadors as well. We are keen to get the local residents active and outdoors as well,” he said.

The fast, flat course is a big attraction for runners. Picture: JGRimages.