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A GREAT START TO THE RACE
26 October 2001The inaugural Flora Sydney Marathon and The Sunday Telegraph 10K Bridge Run will celebrate its success this Sunday with thousands of runners enjoying one of the world's most spectacular running routes. The "blue line" route was made famous at last year's Sydney Olympic Games, when footage of the world's top marathon runners was beamed across the world as they raced around the streets of Sydney
More than 7,000 runners have already entered this year's event and they will follow what is essentially the same Olympic route. Of the entrants, more than 1,500 will run the marathon. By the time entries close on the eve of the race, it is expected that close to 8,000 runners will be registered to participate, making it the most successful start to any major running event ever staged in NSW and possibly Australia.
The NSW Minister for Sport and Recreation, Mr John Watkins, said the staging of this year's combined marathon and 10K event builds on the success of last year's Olympic games.
"The opportunity to run across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, past the Opera House and onwards has obviously been an enormous drawcard for serious athletes and fun runners," Mr Watkins said. "And with a firm foundation now established, I am confident the marathon and 10K events will continue to grow and attract solid support across the international running community," he said. "I hope the Flora Sydney Marathon reaches the heights of the world's other great marathons, such as those held in New York, London and Chicago."
Joining the many local runners this Sunday is probably the world's best female marathoner and reigning Olympic champion, Japan's Naoko Takahashi. Takahashi is the Race Ambassador and will relive her memories of Sydney as she runs at least part of the course this Sunday. Since winning gold at Sydney 2000, Takahashi has become one of Japan's most popular athletes and only weeks ago broke the world record.
Australia's best-ever marathon runners, Steve Moneghetti and Rob de Castella, will join Takahashi on the day, although Deek will take the shorter option.
The Chief Executive of Athletics Australia, Simon Allatson, is equally confident that this year's Flora Sydney Marathon and The Sunday Telegraph Bridge Run will become a highlight of the Sydney and international running calendars. "Australia is now ready to stage a world class marathon, and I think that Sydney is the obvious choice following last year's Games," Allatson said. "I also think that we should not underestimate the potential of The Sunday Telegraph 10K Bridge Run to build a serious following across the international athletics community," he said. "It's a traditional distance favoured by athletes and there's no reason why Sydney cannot continue to host two great international running events on the one day. But it's the 10K fun runners on Sunday who have in many ways stolen the show," Allatson said. "The thousands of Sydneysiders entered in the shorter event should have a great time running what I think is one of the most pleasant courses in the world. Athletics Australia is very grateful to the NSW Government and its various entities for their support in staging this year's event, and we look forward to working with all of our partners to build an event that will benefit the State of NSW and City of Sydney for many years."
Entries to both events are being accepted until 8.00pm on Saturday 27 October. Those still interested in running must visit the official event registration desk at Sydney Sportshow 2001, Darling Harbour.
Entries will not be accepted on the day.
For further information: Chris Muldoon, Richmond Muldoon PR via Phone: 02 9437 9968 or 0411 157 914
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