761 replies to this topic

[TheRuns]

The results are online now. You can check to see what they classed you as.

If it is indeed the case that they allowed someone to finish that late, then that's prety rough.

My only complaint, as mentioned above, was the chook who kept elbowing me etc. I saw someone try to use the dunnies near the Glenloch interchange, onlt ot find they were tied closed. She then tried the one next to it to no avail. For blokes, it's easy enough to use a tree or other shrubbery. Not so easy for females!

Now, is it too premature for me to contemplate the Sydney Running Festival? I feel I have more in me than the 3:45:43 for my first. I was thinking of Gold Coast, but this is probably too early and I might do the half instead.

[Ayla2010]

My name has nothing next to it.
But I do see the last person in the 10 km came in at almost 2 hours, and saw that the cut off for the 10 km was 100 mins, so that person was well over. I had 3 km to do and it was not quite 90 mins when I was nearly there. So maybe I could have limped the last 3 km after all.
I gave in because of that cut off time. I didn't want to be told I couldn't finish, so stopped before where the finish line was.
I am even more upset about the whole thing now

[TheRuns]

I'm sorry if I have contributed to your pain Ayla. You did what you thought was right at the time, and what was right based on what you were told.
I also saw dozens of people with ipods despite being asked not to wear them. I guess there was a lot of rule bending yesterday.

[Ayla2010]

Its OK, I should have just carried on and asked, but I didn't think that cut off times would not be enforced. Its OK, but I think it will be a long while before I am able to run again, as I am still in a lot of pain. I am hoping I haven't caused permanent injury.

[allrounder]

the last two finishers in the 10k were walking...the cut off was an indication for those that were still going to move to the footpath so the roads could be re-opened at 5:45pm...I'm sure you would have been able to finish...

I was the marshall at the last intersection before the finish and we weren't even sure if there were people still out there (it was darkish when I left my post)...I was still there when the 3rd last finisher went past to stop traffic but we weren't aware that the last two people were still out there (who had walked slowly the whole way as I remember them going past the first three times)...

[Tuttle]

Robert Song, on 11 April 2011 - 01:57 PM, said:

I think the running of a Half is a welcome additiion to the week end.

I agree - some logistical issues notwithstanding, the Half is an added attraction.

Well done yesterday, RS, a top effort.

And warmest congrats to Tesso, who won her Division!

Chris

[Kookaburra]

TheRuns, on 11 April 2011 - 07:23 AM, said:

... and hit me a couple of times in the ribs near parliament house.

Am interested to know what part of the anatomy is parliament house, obviously it is located just below the rib cage!

[TheRuns]

Kookaburra, on 11 April 2011 - 05:21 PM, said:

Am interested to know what part of the anatomy is parliament house, obviously it is located just below the rib cage!

A bit to the centre, and around the back...

[Pink Lady]

Congratulations to everyone who persisted - despite all of the anticipated and unanticipated things that can go wrong when we challenge ourselves.
Even warmer congratulations to those who achieved their goals.

Just a quick report of my experience. I knew that I was going into this run underdone and had pretty well convinced myself that this was a training run for another marathon later in the year.
Yeh - right - tell that to a runner once the gun goes off and the pack is away.
Surprising the greatest problem that I had was in the 16-20k stage was with my gut (both ways and don't ask for any more details) - one pit stop and a couple of tree stops - and a reminder to myself that this was 'just a training run' helped a bit. However, If I could have cut my losses for a half at this stage I would have definately taken it. I even contemplated a DNF before giving myself a severe talking to.
After getting my head (and my gut) back into a better space I pushed on and really enjoyed the 'alternate course' except that it took me a long time to work out that the distances were painted on the footpath.
I was therefore very surprised to find at the 37k mark that I was definately in with a very good chance of a PB. Didn't quite make the 5 hour mark - which I had set as my stretch goal. I Finished in ~ 5.05.09 -  that's a 22 minute PB    
My next streath goal will have to be something starting with 4

It was great to see, and speak to many CRs before, during and after the run. Thank you for all of your cheers

Edited by Pink Lady, 11 April 2011 - 05:59 PM.

[runhard]

Well done Everyone.  Mrs RH did her first half and loved every minute of it!  Finished in 2:13:xx. I didnt run (very hard not to)  but got to stand in the cold and rain for over 5 hours.  Just as enjoyable as running!!!  I got to take pictures of everyone (well nearly everyone) wearing CR gear and gave a CR cheer as well. some great efforts out there.  Will try and work out how to up load the photos sometime this week.  Will definately be there next year to hit up the 50k!

RH

[Perseus]

Only nett times have been published. Fairfax certainly have official/gun times so why not publish them too?

[fatboyslim]

runhard, on 11 April 2011 - 05:59 PM, said:

Well done Everyone.  Mrs RH did her first half and loved every minute of it!  Finished in 2:13:xx. I didnt run (very hard not to)  but got to stand in the cold and rain for over 5 hours.  Just as enjoyable as running!!!  I got to take pictures of everyone (well nearly everyone) wearing CR gear and gave a CR cheer as well. some great efforts out there.  Will try and work out how to up load the photos sometime this week.  Will definately be there next year to hit up the 50k!

RH

Thank you runhard, Mrs runhard and Mrs fatboyslim for all your support.   Looking forward to seeing the photos properly.

Thinking now I wished I had pushed on for the 50km but I guess it is too late now. Next year 50km for sure. 12 months more training.  

Thanks also to the guy on the motorbike that was riding along with us slow coaches to see if we were OK.

Mrs runhard well done. Great effort.

[Haberfieldhare]

I timed myself at 4.14, but Fairfax have me at 4.13...ok, if that's what you want?!

Not too bad as it beats my previous attempt in Sydney in 2008 by 31 (or 32) minutes. I went off quite fast (too fast?) I think because of all the 1/2 marathoners - 1.55 for the first half, and 2.19 for the 2nd. There's still a bit to do to bring it down a bit more, but overall it's a good feeling to be back finishing a marathon. The damp conditions helped, although my feet did seem to find the deeper puddles with alarming efficiency. For all that - wet beats heat?!

The volunteers were very positive, given the grotty conditions. I'm glad I was "happily toileted" as I don't think I'd've been very happy at all with closed lavvies on the course - that just smacks of really poor organisation.

One other gripe, already mentioned by others, where were the food bits at the end? I went in the "info hall" and was offered lovely new runners from Rebel Sport - hmmmm, not top of my needs list right at that time! Fortunately the hotel place was only a few hundred metres from the finish, so hobbled back there.

Well done to all who took part.

[Lotsahare]

Runhard you deserve the biggest medal standing out all that time in the cold rain. ! You made Running Angel & myself laugh so much each time we crossed you    As fatboyslim said ..maybe we have outdone your 37photos on 6ft track !! Mrs.RH im sure you have the best photo of all.

Edited by Lotsahare, 11 April 2011 - 07:08 PM.

[TheRuns]

Haberfieldhare, on 11 April 2011 - 07:01 PM, said:

...was offered lovely new runners from Rebel Sport...

Did they try to convince you that you should buy them because they were dry?

One other thing that would have been nice were space blankets. My wife came from home (with the 2 kids in the rain) to see me finish and stodd about 100m from the end. She brought a beach towel. It was, without fear of contradiction, the nicest part of the morning. (although in retrospect I know realsie what I have accomplished).
Anyway I digress. The weather was predicted to be cold several days in advance. It would have been lovely if Fairfax had thought about blankets or something like that. Even a warm drink would have been nice. To be fair, we can all pick holes in what was otherwise a wonderful occasion.

[Supersam1979]

TheRuns, on 11 April 2011 - 07:12 PM, said:

It would have been lovely if Fairfax had thought about blankets or something like that. Even a warm drink would have been nice. To be fair, we can all pick holes in what was otherwise a wonderful occasion.

Mate in fairness as stated before, Fairfax's team are event organisers and marketers (they don't have intricate knowledge of runners needs) - they are there to deliver the bottom dollar in profit. They are not there for your or my well being. They are in it to make profit plain and simple.

One of the easiest ways to make profit is deliver less but market it as the same (a good example is cereal boxes that will stay the same size, but decrease in weight - instead of 1Kg you now get 800g for the same price etc) - looks the same on the outside, but meanwhile inside you get less.

Now back to the marathon - pay the same. Get to run, but then get less (no water bags, no cut fruit, no hot drinks, no space blankets etc etc). All those things you mention are nice to haves, but the reality is as Colin has said, Fairfax aint going to spend any more money than they have to on these things.

Pay me no heed - I am still fired up about the time cutoff malarkey!

[sammo72]

Perhaps if Fairfax are interested in what runners want or need in OUR event, then we should tell them.

Anyone know a direct email address that will actually get read by someone.

And if Fairfax were chasing the mighty dollar, they certainly missed out by not selling shirts. What a better way to make a bundle of $$$, then by charging $40 for a $10 event t-shirt. I would have paid $100 for one, seeing it was my first marathon/ultra.

[TheRuns]

Or they could peruse the CR forum. Now there's a idea!

[Supersam1979]

On a lighter note where was the drunken clown who used tyo stand under the bridge in the last 3KM and cheer. My guess is they probably graduated now and sold out and got proper jobs with suits and such  

[Ted]

The runners made this event special, as well as the volunteers. Personally, I think Fairfax's effort was very average. From memory I paid $100 for the pleasure. Yes I know there are insurances to pay and it's a hassle dealing with local councils etc. But lets face it - no pacers, no T shirt, poor toileting, poor post-run organisation (no massage, no medicos, no space blankets, list goes on), diverting marathoners off at 30k/ 3 hour splits. Pretty average IMHO.

They need to get a few marathoners in there to advise, or at least go up to Gold Coast and have a look at what can be done.

So to all my fellow runners - I salute you! Thank you for making the day a special one. There's nothing like sharing the experience with those of us mad enough to keep going!

[fatboyslim]

sammo72, on 11 April 2011 - 07:32 PM, said:

Perhaps if Fairfax are interested in what runners want or need in OUR event, then we should tell them.

Anyone know a direct email address that will actually get read by someone.

And if Fairfax were chasing the mighty dollar, they certainly missed out by not selling shirts. What a better way to make a bundle of $$$, then by charging $40 for a $10 event t-shirt. I would have paid $100 for one, seeing it was my first marathon/ultra.

Well done on your first. It was my first also and I went looking for a shirt or singlet also. I would have paid good money for one as well.

[Lynda]

Just back from a great weekend in Canberra. Thank you to my good friend Horrie for trying to pace me to a sub-4, and to Eagle for company for part of the way. It wasn't to be as I faded badly from 26k. Still it was a great experience and I was very happy to finish with a 10 min pb (4.10). Well done to all the JORG runners who ran pbs over all the different events. Super well done to Cazzy1 for breaking 4 hours. And a special mention to my beautiful husband for breaking his pb set 14 years ago and running 3.09!

[sammo72]

TheRuns, on 11 April 2011 - 04:36 PM, said:

I also saw dozens of people with ipods despite being asked not to wear them. I guess there was a lot of rule bending yesterday.

I will put my hand up to this one. Sorry.

But I actually emailed the event organisers about it and was advised just to have one ear piece in, which I did (most of the time). At one stage the sound of a police siren on the bridge almost caused me to jump over. Wish I was wearing a heart monitor at this stage, would be interested to see how high it got. At least i can laugh about it now.

As for my reasoning. Well I am prone to panic attacks and after 16 years of policing and dealing with ptsd, i get extremely anxious around police vehicle and anything to do with emergency service. So seeing the police cars throughout the course caused me to drift back into a time/situations i would rather forget and the ipod helps keep my mind from wondering. Reminiscing about tragic scenes that i used to call 'work', does not help make a run enjoyable.

But whenever I saw some people standing in the rain, I made an effort to pull it out and acknowledge their kind words of support and I also limited the use during the ultra section to when there were no runners near me.

So I wish to officially apologies to everyone i upset by wearing my ipod during the event.

[MrsBails]

On the medals front, it appears if you email fairfax, they will post you a medal!

I just want to say well done to all the Mara, HM and ultra virgins that got through this weekend. To all the CR's that I didn't have the breath to shout out to, great job. I especially noticed a gentleman with a beard and a full brimmed hat, and a guy with "shortarse" embroidered on his hat.

[MrD]

Perseus, on 11 April 2011 - 06:19 PM, said:

Only nett times have been published. Fairfax certainly have official/gun times so why not publish them too?

Perseus, in the Canberra Times, results were published in official/gun times. But I agree, way to go confusing people Fairfax, now listing the results on the web in nett times.

Unfortunately this means on the web I drop out of the top 10 (I definitely was the 10th marathoner across the line) and even more regrettably it has me being beaten by the man wearing thongs (and I mean absolutely no disrespect to him...in fact what a freaken legend!)

[TheRuns]

sammo72, on 11 April 2011 - 08:03 PM, said:

I will put my hand up to this one. Sorry.

So I wish to officially apologies to everyone i upset by wearing my ipod during the event.

No need to apologise. You sought confirmation from the organisers and my comment about rule bending was referring to Fairfax bending the rules they had put in writing before the event 9specifically about the cutoff times).

You at least had the sense to use one earbud. There was one person who was running up the ramp near parliament house whose music was so loud I thought there was a motivation station next ot the road. I don't think it would be as big an issue if there wasn't a mixed start and turnaround where there were people giving (audible) directions. I saw one person doing the HM continue straight and he was bailed up by one of the marshals about 50m down the road. That said, during the Canberra Times Fun Run I saw a greater proportion wearing them.

[TheRuns]

MrD, on 11 April 2011 - 08:47 PM, said:

Perseus, in the Canberra Times, results were published in official/gun times. But I agree, way to go confusing people Fairfax, now listing the results on the web in nett times.

Huh? Both my times match. So was I faster or slower than the time they published? Not to worry. I have a target and plan to reach it by year's end.

[Lotsahare]

Cazzy1 your running plan was perfect...no plan at all. You blitzed it!Mega Congrats my very clever running buddy on breaking the Sub 4hrs mara!!So happy&proud of you    Incredible achievement to Sammo&Fatboyslim,  wow you guys  can feel very proud of yourselves. I'm so glad you hung in there to achieve your dream goals.   Lightning  Lynda how you pushed through your virus to be able still get a 10min. pb is absolutely amazing  & to Patrick for his amazing pb after 14yrs.well done to you both      Now i have to thank my running partner for the day Running Angel. RA had her trusty garmin pacing us the whole of the way. We both  planned to run the Mara.around 4.15-4.30 & complete the ultra around 5.30 guess what we did 5.28! We were more than happy with that.   It certainly made a big difference having good company..thanks RA. Have to thank F.Emu also  who paced me for awhile when RA took a  pit stop &  managed to sprint back  to us over a few k's!Then of course F.Emu had the pleasure of  gradually leaving  us in his dust.. Bert had an incredible come back in the half mara..will let him tell you.. he is so clever .That's good Ms Mook, i'll be wating for u next year. R.A & I had to laugh at Barefoot as he ran by us so excited like a kid as he  informed us that he had just run about 3k's with Mr.D and it was sooo much fun! Whippet Gal no amount of pain seems to stop you! Loved seeing you again Tesso you should come & stay here with us.Huge thanks to SMC42k for setting up the SMC  camp tent and looking after us with all  pre race & post race food& lovely hot coffe much appreciated   & to all the wonderful runners who just make every race so enjoyable & the pain tolerable.  p.s. ,  bring back the water bags & finishers shirts please.

Edited by Lotsahare, 11 April 2011 - 09:10 PM.

[Tesso]

As the saying goes, it was "just the half" for me yesterday. But I must say it has to be one of the best, if not the best half marathon courses I've ever run on. Managed to clock 96:02, my 3rd best time ever I think, so am pretty pretty happy. Will definitely be back for it next year.      

Robert Song, on 11 April 2011 - 01:57 PM, said:

An added bonus was being able to chase down Tesso over the last 6k and pip her on the post. The only down side was that I wasn't able to drag Johnny Dark along with me so he could do the same.

  

Lotsahare, on 11 April 2011 - 08:59 PM, said:

Loved seeing you again Tesso you should come & stay here with us.

A tempting offer .... as long as you aren't in cohorts with the above mentioned pair       Was great to see you again, and super congrats on your 50k. You are truly amazing!

[sfGnome]

Supersam1979, on 11 April 2011 - 03:48 PM, said:

Negatives
2. Having full and half start at same time - chaos. Start the half 1 hour earlier.

I'd respectfully disagree with you there. The start was great - just a nice big start like any other decent sized marathon - and it was really nice to have so many running in the early stages before things started to thin out. What was *really* good about having them start together was that there were none of the "running into the back of the halfers" problems that plague Melbourne, and having so many more people on course really adds to the atmosphere without it becoming ridiculously crowded like the Herald Half in Sydney.

Supersam1979, on 11 April 2011 - 03:48 PM, said:

Finally to those complaining about the ablutions, this is the nature of things in big events and not something you will stamp out at all unless you provide each person with their own personal toilet. Sad to say, but relieving oneself on a tree is far preferable to having someone perform that function on your shoes at the start as has happened to me by someone else in the past.

Ah, yes. Ok if bushes are all you need... I don't think that providing more than 3 toilets for 1000 people can be equated to giving everyone their own personal one.

[MrD]

TheRuns, on 11 April 2011 - 08:54 PM, said:

Huh? Both my times match. So was I faster or slower than the time they published? Not to worry. I have a target and plan to reach it by year's end.

Sorry, was incorrect previously, you are right, both times are the same. I was told I was 10th in the little pop out box in the paper listing the top 10 which I was in. In the fine print I am not....seems the fella in the thongs started the race late (a mate told me this yesterday), and they have taken his nett time and slotted him in. 11th it is then.

Interesting ruling...

[SMCRoadRaceSeries]

MrD, on 11 April 2011 - 10:37 PM, said:

Sorry, was incorrect previously, you are right, both times are the same. I was told I was 10th in the little pop out box in the paper listing the top 10 which I was in. In the fine print I am not....seems the fella in the thongs started the race late (a mate told me this yesterday), and they have taken his nett time and slotted him in. 11th it is then.

Interesting ruling...

Interesting but incorrect ruling. Someone cannot finish behind you and be awarded a place ahead of you..absolutely not.

Another item to note when I meet with the Canberra RD in the next couple of months.

[SimonWall]

SMCRoadRaceSeries, on 12 April 2011 - 12:21 AM, said:

Interesting but incorrect ruling. Someone cannot finish behind you and be awarded a place ahead of you..absolutely not.

Another item to note when I meet with the Canberra RD in the next couple of months.

I have a list of feedback to add, but I am more worried about times for the moment.

• The times they published for me were 4:00:16 for the marathon and 4:57:09 for the ultra.
  
• I recorded 4:00:47 and 4:57:40 on my Forerunner 405.
  
• Netting out the delay between the gun and crossing the line (0:00:59 for 60 metres) gives 3:59:48 and 4:56:41 respectively.

That is, both of the nett times I recorded are 28 seconds less than the published times.

I could understand a second or two difference, but I can't understand almost half a minute!

(It's possibile that my chip triggered the start line before I reached it - but 30m away seems a bit much, and there'd be many runners with the same problem. And surely in that case they should be warning people that the chip times will be complete rubbish.)

I have emailed their contact address for more information - gun and chip times would be a good start.

[Unlikelyrunner]

SimonWall, on 12 April 2011 - 06:52 AM, said:

I have a list of feedback to add, but I am more worried about times for the moment.

• The times they published for me were 4:00:16 for the marathon and 4:57:09 for the ultra.
  
• I recorded 4:00:47 and 4:57:40 on my Forerunner 405.
  
• Netting out the delay between the gun and crossing the line (0:00:59 for 60 metres) gives 3:59:48 and 4:56:41 respectively.

That is, both of the nett times I recorded are 28 seconds less than the published times.

I could understand a second or two difference, but I can't understand almost half a minute!

(It's possibile that my chip triggered the start line before I reached it - but 30m away seems a bit much, and there'd be many runners with the same problem. And surely in that case they should be warning people that the chip times will be complete rubbish.)

I have emailed their contact address for more information - gun and chip times would be a good start.

My time in the Melbourne marathon was way out at the 10km and half way mark, only  be spot on at the finish.  Sometimes this just happens I am afraid.

[runhard]

Hi All,  I tried to get as many photo's of CR's as possible. They are now uploaded in the CR gallery. Some are OK and some are blurred.  Im still learning but think I am getting a little better!  Hope there are some of you if you ran in CR gear.

http://coolrunning.s...247808542_Xtz4J

RH

[Bunyip]

Was cut in front of so many times this race, especially up to the 10km mark. Agree with Supersam1979, that the HM should be seperate to the Marathon in regard to starting time, this may eleviate certain crowding problems at the start.

[Rico]

Putting aside the placing issue for a second, what is the world record for running a marathon in a pair of thongs?

[Isthisnametaken]

Can someone enlighten me on the water bags? An image or a description would be good.

Thanks,

John

[sammo72]

Isthisnametaken, on 12 April 2011 - 08:21 AM, said:

Can someone enlighten me on the water bags? An image or a description would be good.

john, you remember those frozen ice blocks that were in a long tube, think they were called 'zooper dooper' of similar. well, the same shape, but had a perforation at the top that you could tear off and squeeze the water out.

[SMCRoadRaceSeries]

SimonWall, on 12 April 2011 - 06:52 AM, said:

• The times they published for me were 4:00:16 for the marathon and 4:57:09 for the ultra.
  
• I recorded 4:00:47 and 4:57:40 on my Forerunner 405.
  
• Netting out the delay between the gun and crossing the line (0:00:59 for 60 metres) gives 3:59:48 and 4:56:41 respectively.

That is, both of the nett times I recorded are 28 seconds less than the published times.

Both of the 'gun times' you recorded are 31 sec more than the nett time they published- assuming you pressed start at the sound of the gun, which is what you should be doing. You then crossed the mat 31 sec later.

These times are not 'made up', they are from actual readings as you cross mat. ( in the case of the Melbourne example the split mats may have been at wrong places).
The gun time is official and gives everyone the same start time (and also missed readings at start), hence the guy who started after MrD and finished after him should be placed after him irrespective of nett time from mat to mat.

Isthisnametaken, on 12 April 2011 - 08:21 AM, said:

Can someone enlighten me on the water bags? An image or a description would be good.

We have them at SMC.Come have a try.

Only $20 for a certified 21km with more aid stations than Canberra. $55 for 3 races (non member) $75 for 3 races (member) inc R4YL subscription, 25% disc to Cities/M7 and other benefits.

Edited by SMCRoadRaceSeries, 12 April 2011 - 09:07 AM.

[Robert Song]

Rico, on 12 April 2011 - 07:53 AM, said:

Putting aside the placing issue for a second, what is the world record for running a marathon in a pair of thongs?

... and the bucket hat was the icing on the cake for a legendary performance from that guy.

[Isthisnametaken]

sammo72, on 12 April 2011 - 08:28 AM, said:

john, you remember those frozen ice blocks that were in a long tube, think they were called 'zooper dooper' of similar. well, the same shape, but had a perforation at the top that you could tear off and squeeze the water out.

SMCRoadRaceSeries, on 12 April 2011 - 08:58 AM, said:

We have them at SMC.Come have a try.

Only $20 for a certified 21km with more aid stations than Canberra. $55 for 3 races (non member) $75 for 3 races (member) inc R4YL subscription, 25% disc to Cities/M7 and other benefits.

Thanks very much Sammo. Makes it easier to know what people are on about and sounds like that they are perfect to use. Can see an issue with the cost though.

Cheers SMC. I have thought about it but living on the Central Coast it is a fair drive. I might take you up on the offer in prep for the Canberra full next which I am hoping to do.

John

[wildcoyte]

I'm a little upset with my performace in the 5km on Saturday i was running really well and controled for the first lap and the i put a little surge up the hill after the finish to keep the me moving at the same pace and i think that was what killed the rest of the race for me just couldn't get back into the pace that i had set before and up the hill. After that it was a struggle but what really upset me was when the announcer said my name and said i was most likely the first person over 20mins as i like to be a sub 20min runner. But happy my time was 19:59 so made me feel better. The weather for the marathon was just appaling. it was not going to be a race of time when it started to rain so to everyone who got pb's that is awesome!!

Cheers Brandon Nairn(WC)

[rachinaus]

An awesome weekend in Canberra - both running and non running.

Great to catch up with a few running buddies and a big thanks to Striders and SMC for bring the tents!

Missed my pb by 5 seconds finishing with a net time of 1:44:03 but pretty happy all things considered

Spent much of Sunday and Monday enjoying Canberra after the weather cleared up - can't beat it in Autumn

Back to the full next year I reckon (though didn't really envy those heading out along the lake in the rain as the half marathoners got to turn back)

Thanks for egging me on Gnome when you realised I was running the half but judging by our respective finish times we were running a pretty similar pace

Well done everyone who took part, some great runs

[PeterBee]

Had a fantastic run on Sunday, and managed to get my fourth PB from four starts, which surprised me greatly given that my last attempt at the Canberra Marathon could be described as miserable at best. I managed to sneak home in 3:40.03, which is 35 minutes better than my previous best at Canberra, and am now hoping to push closer to 3:30 at the Gold Coast.

Thanks to anyone who encouraged me, particularly those who had a laugh with me at the hideous streaks of blood which were seemingly gushing down from my nipples all over my nice white shirt. I'll remember to bring some band aids next time.

[prk]

For me, the worst aspect of the day was the re-opening of one lane of Parkes Way before the slower runners had finished that section. I was among the last 20 or so to be allowed on the road section, before runners were diverted to the bike path at the 28km mark. After I’d gotten to the turnaround and then come back through the tunnel, they opened up the outside lane to traffic (presumably by that time the last of the runners had reached the u-turn and were coming back). It was a bit disconcerting to have cars whizzing past at 80 or 90 with only a line of cones between me and them, but what was far worse was that at one point the cones had been removed so cars could use one of the exits. I saw three cars come along the outside lane, cut across the lane runners were using (we were few and far between by that stage) and go up the exit ramp. Fortunately none tried it when I reached that point. But it looked like a recipe for disaster.

[MrD]

SMCRoadRaceSeries, on 12 April 2011 - 12:21 AM, said:

Interesting but incorrect ruling. Someone cannot finish behind you and be awarded a place ahead of you..absolutely not.

Another item to note when I meet with the Canberra RD in the next couple of months.

I have heard back from Fairfax with this reply...

"Official places for prizes etc. are based on the order that you cross the finish line (official/gun time). However, for those who aren’t running at an elite standard it is much more relevant for them to see their place based on their net time. This is why other than break out box in the paper listing the top 10 by gun time all other results were listed by net time."

"For all of our events we use the net time placing for everything other than the 1st, 2nd, 3rd places. In our experience people would much prefer this information than their gun time places."

So this looks like a new direction Fairfax is taking with their results. I will point out though that the reply from them is actually incorrect... "For all of our events we use the net time placing" in that Fairfax events have always listed placings by gun times for the entire field an had a separate column for nett time (City2Surf and SMH half are examples from last year)

I have been part of a big marathon database project with Perseus amongst others, and all our data is in gun time. This will be the first time marathon placings has gone by nett time.

Edited by MrD, 12 April 2011 - 05:48 PM.

[PeterPlodder]

water bag, on 10 April 2011 - 11:09 AM, said:

Congratulations to all those runners that competed in the running festival.

This year was the first year since 2005 that water sachets were not used for the marathon.  This year the event organisers were approached but declined the offer, instead opting for cups.
As part of the running community I would appreciate your view on this. For the last 6 years I have been the only manufacturer of water sachets in Australia.

I introduced this product because of the difference it made to my own running, and I felt that I needed to put something back into running.  
This will be your only public opportunity for me to determine whether this is something that I should continue to provide.  Please express your opinion on this.

Kind Regards,
waterbag

Water sachets all the way. So many advantages, as expressed in this thread and in various others. Please continue making them. I note that they will be used at the Canberra Half Marathon on 22 May - excellent.

When it comes to sachets vs cups, sachets are a runaway winner!

[runhard]

For those that missed my earlier post.  If you were running in CR gear there are some photos posted at

http://coolrunning.s...247808542_Xtz4J

RH

PS sachets all the way!!!!

[PeterPlodder]

A bit slower this year. I could blame the weather or similar, but it's probably something boring like "inadequate preparation".

It was still a good weekend. Saturday, conditions were excellent (typical Canberra Autumn weather). I was marshalling and was able to connect some faces to names. Sunday was actually not too bad for running, despite the nearly continuous rain - it's a lot better than heat. I have a lot of respect for the volunteers that day - at least us runners were keeping warm, but they were standing in the cold and wet for hours. But they still had lots of smiles - great stuff!

As for my marathon, halfway in 2 hours without much worry, but I knew at that point that sub 4 was not going to happen. So I reset my goal to a sub 5 ultra. Although that turned out to be way too optimistic. From around 30k onwards I was living up to my name. Reached the finish line in 4:19 feeling pretty worn out. But headed straight on through anyway. I was told I was the 100th person to set off on the ultra. My final place was 99th - a bit surprising, as I don't remember passing anyone. Did a fair bit of walking on that extra bit - I found that my speed walk was a similar pace to my "run". Managed to reasonably run the final kilometre, and pulled of a reasonable sprint finish, although there were not many there to see it. Finished in 5:23, so both times were about 20 minutes slower than last year. It's interesting that the extra 7.8k took the same time both times.

Saw lots of coolrunners - Moog, NKOTB, Lotsahare, PinkLady, and lots of others who I names I don't know. So, despite the saying, I can tell you that long distance running is not lonely!