The 1999 Adelaide Festival City Smartplay Marathon

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The 1999 Adelaide Festival City Smartplay Marathon - Race Results

race results

Race Director's Article

Getting to SANTOS stadium at 4.00 was relief time for the organisers; ideal weather with just a little early wind and slight warming later. Initial setting up was peaceful, but the pace gradually picked up. At 5.00 we sent off 6 early birds who had predicted slowest times, and at 5.45 the walkers and some slower runners were away. The schedule’s own impetus rolled on, with buses to take half marathoners to their start, coning, setting up course markers and drink stations already well under way, taking late entries, and always watching the clock for the next start time! It would be much later that the organisers could stand back with relief at what had been done! But worth it!

Once again we had ideal conditions. Participants’ comments showed they enjoyed the encouragement from our volunteers, our brand new road course, and rewards for their efforts with goody bags, medallions, massage and the carnival atmosphere in the stadium, where the sounds of the jazz band and the great crowd feel made for a great day and a finish area atmosphere that it was wonderful to be a part of. A good race to see out the century!

The marathon was quite a race, with Mark Howard, the pre-race favourite and Chris Muirden flying in the day before to run with him, and then to pull away to win in 2.28.2. He claimed the mantel of Australia’s fastest journalist! Mark came in at 2.35.07, followed by Nigel Pietsch in 2.38.06. The women’s race was the closest for years, with Leah Wright (3.02.32) and Pat Galvin (3.02.37) fighting it out in the home straight. Nicole Newman (3.03.14) was close behind. In the ASA event Mark Howard won the open, and Magnificent Seven member John Bannon the vets trophy in 3.21.12 . Darren Bown had been hot favourite in the marathon walk, and triumphed in an event record time of 4.01.07. Brian Glover (4.44.50) and Noel Heinrich (5.02.22) completed the minor places. 1999 winner Helen Sulicich won again in 5.22.11, ahead of Helen Sikkens (5.32.58) and Carol Knezevic (5.34.10).

Brett Worley won the half marathon run in in 1.16.38, ahead of David Brasher (1.17.31) and Paul Weymouth (1.18.26). Joanne Lambert 1.20.39) beat Susan Peter (1.24.31) and Georgina Whittem (1.26.00). Joseph Colarich (2.23.03), Robert Manning (2.32.47) and John Doyle (2.33.16), Karen Smith (2.37.47), Helen Robinson (2.38.04) and Karen Rolfe (2.38.18) were the winning walkers. Mercedes College won the Schools Relay Challenge again in 1.21.19.

Last year’s half marathon winner Andrew Burns won the 6 km in 19.54, ahead of Adam Thompson (20.58) and Peter Sandery (21.20). Louise Miller (23.34) beat Penny Harris (24.48) and Lee-Ann Turner (25.06). The winning walkers were Peter Derrick (42.51), Simon Boyley (44.46) and Glen Brooks (45.10), and the winning female walkers Vicki Lines (43.14), Judith Virgo (43.17), and SARRC Board member Gaylene Button (47.28). Gaylene and Judith promptly joined the rest of our 130 volunteers to help out at the finish line! Congratulations to all these folk, but also to every one of the several hundred personal winners who took part.

For me the best thing was watching all of the Magnificent Seven finished their 21st Festival City Marathon, with Peter Slagter carrying in his grandchild on his shoulders, and Ross Martin finishing during the presentation ceremony, which stopped to applaud. No-one will ever be able to beat the effort and dedication of having run every Adelaide Festival City Marathon of the 20th century! Victoria’s 77 year old Ken Matchett and Adelaide’s Sue Bardy (60 something) again proved you can run marathons forever. Richard Quirk and Andrew Dubois broke 3 hours in their first marathons. Too many other highlights to mention, but it was a privilege to be part of it, and the terrific ABC and Advertiser coverage meant it could be relived later.

Our race was a terrific event largely because of the support we received from our sponsors and community organisations:

The Department for Recreation and Sport who contributed to our funding, whose banners promoted self care, whose tents gave us some shade, and whose logo will live on in the memories of all finishers as they show off their medallions.

The Muscular Dystrophy Association, who supplied ten volunteers, and who will be flying two people to London, one as a lucky random draw winner and one to run the London Marathon in recognition of fund raising for the Muscular Dystrophy Association via the muscle team which once again raised several thousand dollars for this worthy charity.

SupaServas, who donated the marathon running placegetter’s cash prizes.

Salisbury North Football Club and Ultratune, who donated the marathon walkers cash prizes.

Joggers World who contributed random draws and whose tent was a great display of the latest in sports shoes and clothing.

Piccadilly Springs whose water was much appreciated in the warm weather

Scaffold Hirers who once again provided the finish structure

Adelaide Fresh Fruiterers whose fruit was provided each competitor in goody bags and on the tables at the finish

Coca Cola who supplied cups Power Ade for use throughout the race

our own volunteers; we had about 130 people helping with entries, coning and course marking, starting arrangements, course marshalling, and involved at the finish area.

Athletics SA, who worked with us so that the State Marathon was held as part of our event, who supported us with volunteers of their own, and shared the stadium costs.

the SA Police whose involvement in pre-race planning and on the day road control was indispensable

St Johns whose volunteers had more to do than usual this year

Sports Medicine Australia who supplied the essential services of Dr Paul Temme, and those of sports masseurs, physiotherapists, and podiatrists at the finish.

Girl Guides who staffed our eight drink stations.

The Lockleys Bowling Club who allowed us to use their clubrooms as a marshalling area for the half marathon start.

The City of Adelaide and other councils through whose areas our course passed.

The many sponsors, who gave us random draw prizes that added to the presentation ceremony.

A long list. Our thanks to all participants, volunteers and contributors for making our event a great one. We could not have done it without you. Thanks.

Piet Crosby
Race Director
August 1999

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