Blacktown City Council Media Release - Marathon Runners Make It Two In A Row

MEDIA RELEASE

31 July 2017

Matthew Cox and Kirsten Molloy have taken two on the trot at the Westlink M7 Blacktown Running Festival on Sunday, July 30.

For the second year in a row, Cox from Moorebank won the men’s marathon in 2:23:51 – slightly slower than his marathon winning finish last year.

Molloy from Port Macquarie also enjoyed consecutive wins, taking out the women’s marathon in 3:01:01 this year and in 2:51:16 last year.

“Congratulations to Kirsten and Matthew on a race well run,” Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Stephen Bali said.

“The Westlink M7 marathon is a gruelling track, so to win two years in a row is an impressive feat.”

More than 900 people from across Australia and the world took part in the Westlink M7 Blacktown Running Festival.

This year’s Blacktown City Council-organised event was one of the most popular in the running festival’s 12-year history, Mayor Bali said.

“This year we had 948 people participating in the Westlink M7 Blacktown Running Festival,” Mayor Bali.

“The marathon attracted 144 participants and the half marathon attracted 222 participants, starting and finishing at Blacktown International Sportspark.

“We also had five international runners, including three from Kenya, one from Hong Kong and one from Ireland, lining up to compete.”

Blacktown City Sport and Recreation Advisory Committee Chairman, Councillor Brad Bunting, said the fact the marathon was held on the Westlink M7 shared pathway contributed to the event’s success.

“The Blacktown Running Festival is one of the few traffic-free marathons in Australia, meaning runners have a smooth running event without having to worry about kerbs, gutters or traffic,” he said.

“It also means that motorists are not inconvenienced by road closures.

“This is partly why the event is so popular; with runners from all over Australia and across the world gearing up to compete every year.”

First “local” across the line was Jonathan Hayes of Blacktown, clocking in at 3:41:15, placing him 41^st in the marathon.

First “local” woman across the line was Caroline Wooden of Lalor Park, with a time of 4:56:49, placing her 108^th.

Five of the runners completed the marathon for the 12th time, having competed every year since the Westlink M7 Blacktown City Running Festival was first staged in 2006.

The marathon attracted 146 participants and the half marathon attracted 234 participants, starting and finishing at Blacktown International Sportspark.

They were Jane Trumper from Dee Why, Anne Owen from Oatley, Gary Aitkenhead from Naremburn, Bob Fickel from Sutherland and Eric Schmierier from Terrey Hills.

Men’s marathon winner Matthew Cox with his prize.

Women’s marathon winner Kirsten Molloy with her prize

Bob Fickel, Jane Trumper, Anne Owen and Gary Aitkenhead line up to compete in their 12^th consecutive marathon.

International runners Shan Ching Chan (Hong Kong), Andrew Kimanthi Kilonzi (Kenya) and Elizabeth Adokomit (Kenya) with Cr Brad Bunting.

Children start the Kids Marathon at the Westlink M7 Blacktown Running Festival.

Results:

MEN’S MARATHON TOP THREE

Place	Name	Time	Suburb
1	Matthew Cox	2:23:31	Moorebank
2	Dane Verwey	2:31:35	Edithvale
3	Andrew Kimanthi	2:38:12	Sippy Downs

WOMEN’S MARATHON TOP THREE

Place	Name	Time	Suburb
1	Kirsten Molloy	3:01:01	Port Macquarie
2	Kaori Hirakawa	3:05:15	Pots Point
3	MagdKarimali-Poulos	3:09:25	Carinbah

MEN’S HALF MARATHON TOP THREE

Place	Name	Time	Suburb
1	Thomas Do Canto	1:09:11	West Ryde
2	Tim Ford	1:20:12	North Parramatta
3	Gary Howard	1:22:42	Kaleen, ACT

WOMEN’S HALF MARATHON TOP THREE

Place	Name	Time	Suburb
1	Daniela Burton	1:26:38	Cammeray
2	Brooke Hammond	1:26:58	Sydney
3	Lilian Molesworth	1:30:53	Birrong

The 10km Run and 5Km Run events, attracted 394 participants starting and finishing at Blacktown International Sportspark.

MEN’S 10KM RUN

Place	Name	Time	Suburbs
1	Angela Leadbeatter	0:36:07	Pelican
2	Elese Gallan	0:36:47	Oakville
3	Louise Noble	0:38:55	Wattle Grove

WOMEN’S 10KM RUN

Place	Name	Time	Suburbs
1	Harry Summers	0:30:30	Mortdale
2	Russell Dessaix-Chine	0:31:47	North Wollongong
3	Liam Ridings	0:32:33	Haberfield

MEN’S 5KM RUN

Place	Name	Time	Suburbs
1	Kevin Batt	0:13:49	Ryde
2	James Tunbridge	0:15:23	North Wollongong
3	Stefan Music	0:15:23	Edensor Park

WOMEN’S 5KM RUN

Place	Name	Time	Suburbs
1	Marine Pontoon	0:16:40	Glenbrook
2	Paige Campbell	0:16:44	Warren
3	Imogen Stewart	0:17:00	Stanhope Gardens