Sydney Marathon Set To Be Annual Event
30th April 2000Preliminary results - Host City Marathon
Selection trial highlights The Host City Marathon
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A Sydney marathon ending at Homebush Bay is set to become an annual event following the success of today's Host City marathon over the picturesque Olympic course.
Over 5,500 people entered today's race on a course which began in North Sydney and went over the Harbour Bridge, through the city and Centennial Park before winding westward to the main Olympic Stadium.
"Apart from the permanent facilities, the marathon can be the most visible legacy of the Olympics for Sydney," Athletics Australia (AA) chief executive Simon Allatson said. "Australia needs a major marathon like New York or London."
Former Australian long jump star David Culbert, who made his marathon debut today, said he was amazed by the amount of crowd support right along the course. "Even early this morning at the start, there were people everywhere, clapping and cheering," he said.
Allatson said the likely future date for an annual Sydney marathon would be in September or October and he had been encouraged by the support for the idea from Lord Mayor Frank Sartor and the state government.
SOCOG ran the Host City marathon this year as an official Games test event with a budget of $1 million, but ownership of the race reverts to AA next year.
