Mansfield Marathon along GVRT draws record crowd

The third annual Mansfield Marathon was an outstanding success with nearly 600 runners and walkers converging on the Mansfield end of the Great Victorian Rail Trail (GVRT) to have a go, get active and have a good time.

Organised by the Mansfield Athletics Club, the event was held on Mother’s Day, 12 May to raise funds for both cancer research and the local Athletics Club. Five different events from the full and half marathon to the 10-, 5- and 2-km provided a course length to suit all ages and experience levels.

Martina Brennan took out the women’s marathon while Michael Fries took out the men’s marathon with each taking home a $500 cash prize. The half marathon had Somalia’s Abdi Rhoble setting a cracking pace to record a course record of 1 hour, 9mins and 18 seconds. Brooke Williams from Buronga, NSW ran super-fast to take out the women’s half marathon.

The 5km numbers were massive with great support from Lauriston Girls School year-9 girls all having a run joined by many parents to help the Mother’s Day Cancer fundraising. Winner of the 5km event was Mansfield teenager Charlie Watts with Koa Parker taking out the women’s race. Special mention to Mansfields Franzi Stumpf on placing third in the open category; at only 13 years old, she is one to watch.

The 2km Primary School run was arguably the race of the day with so many children having a run which was great to see. Every child received a finishers medal as well as the top three in the U8, U10 and U12 getting a trophy. Gippsland’s Lilijah Deveson from the Wellington Athletics Club took out the girls race with Archie Delany taking out the boy’s race.

“This event was an example of what the Mansfield Community can achieve” said Liam Delany, race director. “Just one major running event can inspire us all − especially our children − to lead a happy, healthy life. Whilst it’s great for the outright winners to receive awards, every participant is a winner. Having a go is what this event is all about and that’s what we saw with big numbers and great support from our volunteers.”