Canberra Half Marathon

Perfect conditions this morning...cool, still, low humidity.

Michelle: 89:45 PB and first time under 90 mins...great run and elated

SB: 73:28 Second overall...very happy

Of me: The process today was to look to see if there was any help out there, if not have a crack at the M50 Australian record of Ron Peters 71:30ish on my own, if not recovered from last weeks racing then get to the finish in the easiest manner which would give me the fastest time and best placing.

After 500m it was clear I had no help so I had a crack on my own. After the ascent of Parliament House it was clear I was fatigued and an Australian age record was out of the question. I started to look for help to get me to the finish the easiest I could. From there on it was use all the people around me including the marathon runners I would have until 5km to go. There was one half marathon runner who was at my level. I tried to let him run on his own while I took rides off any marathon runners who were having good patches. At the turn onto the bridge my fellow half marathon runner caught sight of me 20 metres back and got spooked. It was a drag race to the line from there with me fading slightly over the final 3km.

Splits: 3:12, 3:16, 3:22, 3:28, 3:35(hill,16:55@5km), 3:33, 3:23, 3:38, 3:24, 3:24 (33:57@10km), 3:30, 3:40, 3:23, 3:27, 3:26 (51:25@15km), 3:35, 3:41, 3:32, 3:35, 3:39 (69:28@20km), 4:00=73:28

1st 72:58 Sean Bowes , 3rd 74:42 Matt Crane

Women: 1st Hannah Flannery 78:57, 2nd Jessica Mitchell 80:11,3rd Laura James 81:00

Marathon
Male: 1st Anthony Farrugia 2:28:23, 2nd Matthew Fenech 2:28:44, 3rd Sam Walker 2:32:00

Female: 1st Magda Karimali-Poulos 2:47:45, 2nd Clare Williams 2:50:36,3rd Sara Burgess 2:54:47

The only marathon placegetter in the top 4 when I veered off the course was the eventual winner. There was a large bunch about 40 seconds back where the other placegetters came from.

Post race brunch was had at Manuka, My Cafe with Michelle and Minnie...so nice in the sun even if a couple of flies decided to mate in my flat white:-)

Comments

GRIFFIN said…
Fantastic race Sbx - Knew you were in good shape, shame about Ron Peter's record, but you can get that next time :-)

Top effort by Michelle - to crack 90 mins is awesome in anyone's book :-)

GT
David said…
Top performance Bruce, getting anywhere near Ronnies record is very good going
SBx said…
Thanx GT. You are right David. Getting to a start line in 32 minute 10km shape and and having all the stars line up with weather, course and pacing is tough. I'll have another crack in Melbourne in October all being well, then leave the half marathon alone for a couple of years.

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