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2001 Sydney success to grow into world's 'greatest' category
28 February 2002The NSW Minister for Sport and Recreation Mr Morris Iemma today announced 'blue line fever' would hit Sydney on the 2nd anniversary of the Sydney Olympic Games Opening Ceremony, Sunday 15 September, with the second annual Flora Sydney Marathon. Following the success of the inaugural Sydney Olympic legacy event in 2001which attracted more than 8000 participants, Mr Iemma was positive the Flora Sydney Marathon would grow to rival the world's greatest community events in the world. Never has an inaugural Australian running event attracted such interest. And it is back in 2002.
The 2002 Flora Sydney Marathon was launched by Mr Iemma, Athletics Australia CEO Simon Allatson, Commonwealth Games marathon favourite Kerryn McCann and inaugural Sydney Marathon winner Damon Harris at Mrs Macquaries Chair overlooking the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
In the year 2000, many of the world's best distance runners followed a blue line from North Sydney to Homebush as part of the Olympic marathon.
In October 2001, Athletics Australia and the New South Wales Government through the NSW Major Events Board organised the Flora Sydney Marathon and The Sunday Telegraph 10K Bridge Run.
The initial aim: to give the Sydney community an opportunity to participate in a fun and healthy event developed as a legacy from the Sydney Games. The long-term aim: to grow the event to become a prestigious international major city marathon.
At 6am on Sunday 28 October 2001, history was made when more than 8000 runners set off from North Sydney Oval for the Flora Sydney Marathon and The Sunday Telegraph 10K Bridge Run. By 9am, NSW's Damon Harris and Queensland's Krishna Stanton won the male and female marathons, NSW's Paul Nunnari took out the wheelchair marathon, while NSW's Ben Du Bois and Victoria's Susie Power were victorious in the men's and women's 10K races. Mr Iemma said Sydney had all of the ingredients to build upon the success of the first-year Flora Sydney Marathon.
"The opportunity to run across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, past the Opera House and out to Homebush Bay has obviously been an enormous drawcard for serious athletes and fun runners, and with a firm foundation now established, I am confident the marathon and 10K events will continue to grow and attract greater support across the international running community."
Athletics Australia Chief Executive Simon Allatson said 2001 was a milestone for the sport and showcased that Sydney has the support and infrastructure to host its own international marathon. "It won't be too long before the Flora Sydney Marathon reaches the heights of the world's other great marathons, such as those held in New York, London and Chicago. We are pleased that the inaugural Flora Sydney Marathon male and wheelchair winners have accepted an invitation to compete in the 2002 Flora London Marathon on 14 April 2002 with the support of Flora and Singapore Airlines. Athletics Australia is fully committed to developing Out of Stadium events in Australia as part of our vision to bring walking, running, jumping and throwing to all Australians for enjoyment and personal development and to a level that matches their desires and talents," he said.
Athletics Australia acknowledges the support of the NSW Government through the NSW Major Events Board, the Roads and Traffic Authority and NSW Police in staging the Flora Sydney Marathon, event manager Sporting Frontiers, and the tremendous sponsorship injection by Event Partners Flora and News Limited.
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