Race Report: 2013 McDonalds Townsville Running Festival, QLD, Australia

Sarah Mathiesen from Harsh Mellow sent us this race report from the 2013 McDonalds Townsville Running Festival, in QLD, Australia, which took place on 4th August:

Record numbers soak up sun at McDonald’s Townsville Running Festival

Three Sydney men have claimed the top spots in this year’s annual Tony Ireland Holden Townsville Marathon held in Townsville this morning (Sunday, 4 August, 2013).

Neil Pearson of Rozelle took out the top spot in 2 hours, 36 minutes, 14 seconds; followed by Epping’s Ray Wareham (02:41:27) and Manly’s Richard Banks (02:42:52).

Pearson said he was pleased with his efforts for his debut at the Townsville Marathon.

“It was a good run: I was aiming for 2:40 so I was happy to get inside of that,” said Pearson.

“It’s a great course. I thought it might get a bit boring with the multiple loops to start, but the race kicks if while it’s still dark and as you run round the course it gets lighter and lighter so the view keeps changing as the sun comes up.

“I also like that there’s a party set up about 3km from the finish and everyone is in their pyjamas having a beer at 8 o’clock in the morning.”

For Wareham, who ran his 35th Marathon today, starting slowly proved to be a good strategy.

“I went out a bit slower in the first half than because I was worried about blowing up before the second half. Thankfully I felt good and was able to pick the pace up in the second half when some of the other runners on the course were starting to feel the heat of the day rising,” said Wareham.

“Neil, Richard and I are all Sydney Striders so we can claim a Sydney Striders trifecta here today.”

The Sydney-siders were among a record number of runners for the McDonald’s Townsville Running Festival, with 2,664 people taking part in six events – the Tony Ireland Holden Townsville Marathon, Queensland Country Health Half Marathon, Townsville Airport 10K Classic and a range of 5K fun runs/walks.

Other winners on the day were:
Name Event Time
Lucie Hardiman, Darwin, NT Tony Ireland Townsville Women’s Marathon 03.04.13
Darren Peacock, Jingili, NT Queensland Country Health Half Marathon 01:14:38
Amy Curtis, Mascot, NSW Queensland Country Health Women’s Half Marathon 01:26:24
Thomas Briggs, Mareeba, QLD Townsville Airport 10K Classic 00:32:43 (CR)
Helen Motti, Townsville, QLD Townsville Airport Women’s 10K Classic 00:39:47
Jack Wilson, Townsville, QLD Townsville Bulletin Men’s 5K Fun Run 00:18:23
Jacinta Large, Townsville, QLD Townsville Bulletin Women’s 5K Fun Run 00:19:40
Tesfa Nethery, Townsville, QLD McDonald’s Junior 5K Fun Run 00:17:04
Chelsea Gerrard, Townsville, QLD McDonald’s Junior 5K Fun Run 00:20:30

Running Festival spokesperson Melissa Graham said organisers were delighted with the event’s turn out.

“We’d set ourselves a goal of 2,500 runners this year and thanks to a late surge in registrations on Saturday increased our competitor numbers by more than 22 per cent compared with last year,” said Ms Graham.

“More than 400 runners travelled from outside of Townsville to take part, with a large portion of those being our neighbours from Cairns and Mackay. We’re always pleased to welcome back our regular visitors and are thrilled with the support we receive from other running clubs and individuals across North Queensland.

“We also had a lot of first time runners and people giving longer distances a go, which is what the Townsville Running Festival is all about. Congratulations to everyone who took part in the Festival and made it the best one in the event’s 15 year history,” Ms Graham said.

“We look forward to seeing everyone again next year.”

The 2014 McDonald’s Townsville Running Festival will be held on Sunday, 3 August, 2014.