Cadbury Marathon registrations on track to break records race director says
Runners will be aiming to break records at the popular Cadbury Marathon, but its race director says it could do so before the starting gun on Saturday. Here’s how.
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A record-breaking turnout is expected for this weekend’s Cadbury Marathon.
At noon Wednesday, the number of registrations sat at 3704 – 1500 more than the total registrations for last year’s event.
Athletics Tasmania CEO and race director Blake Steele said the event was on track to be one of the largest in its 42-year history.
Steele said as the only state suitable to hold a marathon in the summer due to temperature weather, Tasmania had become a “destination” for interstate runners.
There is more than double the number of interstate and overseas registrations compared to last year – 1940 and 197 respectively, compared to 852 and 64 last year.
He said the ongoing Cadbury sponsorship had attracted global attention, citing a team of 70 runners in the UK who had registered to participate virtually.
The advent of running clubs in the state had also led to a change in attitudes towards running – from a mere exercise to a “social endeavour” – he said.
“It’s not a fast marathon – we don’t get the elites but it’s very much a community marathon.”
The Cadbury Marathon was founded in 1983 by then-Cadbury HR manager Bob Gozzi.
The success of the London Marathon in 1982 left him so inspired he teamed up with runner Ted Best to push for a similar event in Tasmania.
The first marathon featured just 40 runners.
Steele said he was proud to uphold the “legacy and heritage” of the event.
The scenic track from the Cadbury Chocolate Factory in Claremont across the River Derwent and back, and the bespoke medals lent the event a “unique flair”, he said.
“And there’s chocolate at the end.”
While in-person registrations have sold out, virtual registrations are available online. For more information visit cadburymarathon.com.au
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