120+ photos: More than 7000 in epic Noosa Marathon battles
The legendary Noosa Marathon has produced more magic moments as entrants broke through pain barriers and cramps to achieve personal bests among a field of more than 7000. ALL THE WINNERS, PHOTOS, VIDEO
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The legendary Noosa Marathon has produced more magic moments as entrants broke through pain barriers and cramps to achieve personal bests among a field of more than 7000.
There were inspirational scenes as first time competitors mixed with veterans in the gruelling 42km marathon even, the 21km half marathon, 10km and 5km runs.
For some it all about watching split times, many hoping to crack the sub 3 hour time limit for the 42km run which took place under almost perfect Noosa conditions which included a spectacular sunrise and even a rainbow, together with a couple of light showers to provide well-timed refreshment to runners.
Runners celebrated victory with their friends and family at Noosa Lions Park after flying across the finish line at ASICS Runaway Noosa Marathon.
Some were lucky enough to have their moment celebrating victory on the podium after scoring a gold medal for their age group.
Andrew Dey took victory in the men’s marathon in 2:31:10, almost four minutes clear of Craig Davis, with Dean Edmonds third.
“The race went really well, I paced it nicely early and just hung on, didn’t hit the wall which was good,” Dey said.
“ There was two of us for a good 25km and then Dean dropped off and I kept pushing,” said Dey.
“There was really good support, the whole way up and down, it was nice to have the laps you get a lot of repeat cheering, I had the family out there cheering as well.”
The women’s marathon title was claimed by a very excited Imy Briscoe, who crossed the line in 2:51:53, with Brooke Williams second and Olivia Beck rounding out the podium.
“Last year I ran a marathon and got cramp in the last seven kilometres and completely died so I was keen to pace it well today and I think I got quicker as the race went on, so I paced it well and I didn’t get into the lead until 10km to go,” said Briscoe.
“I had no idea that first was anywhere near me and then I saw the bike for the first female and realised that I could take first so I went past and was then just focusing on the finish.
” The victory was an important one for Briscoe, her first in an event like this.
“It was an amazing atmosphere, I was worried mentally about the multi-lap that it would be hard but every time you did a lap there was huge crowd cheers and an amazing atmosphere,” she said.
“I don’t think I’ve won a race ever, well since I was a child so to win my first race as an adult is an amazing feeling.”
The men’s half marathon was won by Noosa runner Alex Harvey, who covered the 21.1km in 1:07:03, just 14 seconds ahead of Kieren Perkins, with Tim Fisk third.
“I’m feeling good, I’m glad to get the win, I was saying before that I got second last year, I won the 10km a few years ago so I hadn’t quite won the half yet so that was my goal today,” said Harvey.
“I wanted a quicker time but in the end there was a few guys there so we were racing and racing comes before time.
“It felt hard a lot of the way, my PB is about four minutes quicker than that so I thought I should be running a lot faster and the splits just weren’t coming up so it got to probably 13, 14k and I just said let’s just stick with them and try and kick away at the end, it felt a lot harder, honestly I didn’t think I’d win with about 3k to go, Kieran tried to make a move and then I just held on to him and thought about giving up but ended up pushing away from him,” he said.
The Noosa local enjoyed being able to take part in the event on the roads that he trains on every day.
“I run pretty early so Noosa Parade is usually pretty quiet anyway but you don’t get to run down Gympie Terrace without traffic very often so that’s pretty special and it’s always such a nice morning with the sunrise coming up, it’s a beautiful place to run, that’s why I love living here, love training here, there are so many people out on the course that you see out running all the time cheering you on, it’s great,” he said.
Harvey had plenty of support out on course, including his wife and two young children.
“I’ve got my family, my two kids out here as well, they’re probably a bit young to understand, my wife has lugged them out of bed early, we’ve got a five-week-old and a three-year-old, kudos to her for getting them out and into a double pram, my job was a bit easier,” he said.
“Plenty of friends and family, there were non-stop cheers, that’s the best part about the looped course, your friends and family get to see you, four, six, even eight times if you’re doing the marathon, there’s nothing like that out there.”
Ella McCartney, winner of the 10km last year, was victorious in the women’s half marathon, breaking the tape in 1:16:44, over two minutes clear of Samantha Phillips, with Nerissa O’Donnell just behind in third.
“I’m really happy with the result, I didn’t get my time but I’m happy with the result given how I was feeling. It was good for the first few ks and then I went kind of bad for maybe 5k and then I had a gel and came back to life and the rest of it was really good,” said McCartney.
“The course was good, it was really fun with so many people out there cheering, everyone who doesn’t know anyone just yells at you, it’s great.” Josh Shanahan won with men’s 10km, with Loretta Melcer winning the women’s 10km, while Brayden Everett and Mia Caple took out the men’s and women’s 5km respectively.
The event had an extra 2000 runners taking on the challenge compared to the previous year.
Leanna Ali, Regional Director for The IRONMAN Group Oceania Leanna Ali said The Runaway Noosa Marathon provided a great opportunity for runners to spend the weekend in the Noosa region and relax after the event.
“We’re thrilled with the response from runners from home and abroad with this year’s event sold out for the first time ever,” she said.
“The Runaway Noosa Marathon has a fantastic mix of social runners who are out for a fun morning right up to those who are out for a marathon PB on a flat and fast course.”
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Originally published as 120+ photos: More than 7000 in epic Noosa Marathon battles
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