Blacktown City Council - Media Release - Westlink M7 Marathon Garners International Attention

30 July 2019

Runners from across the world descended on Blacktown for

the Westlink M7 Blacktown Running Festival on Sunday, 28 

July.

Marathon runners from across Australia, Great Britain, Hong 

Kong and the Unites States were eager to pound the 

motorway in one the world’s most unique running circuits.

Blacktown City Mayor Stephen Bali MP congratulated the 

winners who ranged from well-trained athletes to children 

taking part in their first run.

“Congratulations to everyone, young and old, athletes, 

families and kids who enrolled to take part in one of the five 

races held during the Westlink M7 Blacktown Running 

Festival,” Mayor Bali said.

Victorian Olympian Liam Adams from Moonee Ponds made 

it back-to-back wins when he took out the Westlink M7 

Men’s Marathon in a time of 2.21.10, just 8 seconds slower 

than his time last year.

Charlotte Wilson, also from Moonee Ponds, Victoria, 

returned this year and improved her time taking out first 

place in the Women’s Marathon in a time of 2:58:40.

“It was a pleasure to be among all these amazing athletes

and watch community members make the most out of this 

wonderful event,” Mayor Bali said.

More than a thousand people took part in the various runs.

“Once again this Festival was a hit among the Blacktown 

From Left: Councillor Kathie Collins, Westlink M7 community 

specialist Tracey Baker, Marathon winners, Charlotte Wilson 

and Liam Adams, Blacktown City Council Mayor Stephen 

Bali MP.

community and beyond,” Mayor Bali said.

“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.

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

More than a thousand people took part in the various runs at the Westlink M7 Blacktown Running Festival.

Blacktown City Council - Media Release - Western Sydney’s Favourite Running Festival Is Back

20 June 2019

The annual Westlink M7 Blacktown Running Festival is now

open for registrations for this year’s event.

Families, devoted marathon runners, joggers, walkers, kids 

and adults are all encouraged to get involved in the July 

28^th event.

Blacktown City Mayor Stephen Bali MP said the annual run 

is a unique opportunity to combine fun and fitness.

“This is an excellent opportunity for the City of Blacktown to 

come together and get active. There is a race for everyone, 

from professional athletes to families and kids just having a 

go!” Mayor Bali said.

“Blacktown Running Festival is unique in that it is a traffic 

free circuit despite being held on roadways,” Mayor Bali said.

This year marks the 14^th year of Westlink M7 and Blacktown 

City Council’s partnership.

The Marathon, half Marathon, 10km and 5km events will be 

run on the Westlink M7 Shared Pathway and are certified by 

IAAF/AIMS (Association of International Marathons and 

Distance Races).

A 2km Kids Marathon will also be run on the Blacktown 

International Sportspark running track.

Mayor Bali said: “A unique aspect of Blacktown’s Running 

Festival is that the course starts and finishes at Blacktown 

International Sportspark making it very convenient for 

families who wish to enter different races.

“There are also prizes for 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place runners in all 

events.”

Don’t miss out on this year’s Blacktown Running Festival. 

Online registrations close at 5 pm on Saturday 27^th July. On 

the day, registrations will be open from 6 am at the late 

registrations tent at the event.

For more information and to register online, please 

visit www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/runningfestival

Event information

Date: Sunday 28 July 2019

Where: Blacktown International Sports Park, Rooty Hill – 

Athletics Facility.

Start Times:

6:45am     Start of Marathon

7:15am     Start of Half Marathon

7:40am     Start of 10km Run

7:50am     Start of 5km Run

7:55am     Start of Kids Marathon 2km

Blacktown City Council - Media Release - World Audience For The 2018 Westlink M7 Marathon

MEDIA RELEASE

 30 July 2018

The Westlink M7 Blacktown Running Festival has again attracted international and interstate runners.

More than 800 people including participants from Hong Kong, China, Western Australia and South Australia attended the festival on Sunday, 29 July.

Kirsten Molloy from Port Macquarie, NSW, came out on top for the third year in a row in the Women’s marathon.

Molloy took out the women’s marathon in 2:58:40 – slightly quicker than her win last year at 3:01:01.

Liam Adams from Moonee Ponds in Victoria took out the Men’s Marathon in 2:21:02.

“Congratulations to Kirsten and Liam on a race well run,” Blacktown City Mayor Stephen Bali MP said.

Mayor Bali 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.”

Results:

MEN’S MARATHON TOP THREE

Place	Name	Time	Suburb
1	Liam Adams	2:21:02	Moonee Ponds, VIC
2	Matthew Cox	2:21:29	Chester Hill, NSW
3	Barry Keem	2:38:35	Wollongong, NSW

WOMEN’S MARATHON TOP THREE

Place	Name	Time	Suburb
1	Kirsten Molloy	2:58:40	Port Macquarie, NSW
2	Kaori Hirakawa	3:03:35	Redfern, NSW
3	Magda Karimali-Poulos	3:18:07	Caringbah, NSW

MEN’S HALF MARATHON TOP THREE

Place	Name	Time	Suburb
1	Thomas Do Canto	1:10:03	West Ryde, NSW
2	David Byrne	1:13:04	Darlington, NSW
3	Mike Lichtwark	1:16:12	Greenwich, NSW

WOMEN’S HALF MARATHON TOP THREE

Place	Name	Time	Suburb
1	Milly Clark	1:17:53	Abbotsford, NSW
2	Belinda Martin	1:18:35	Sylvania, NSW
3	Charlotte Wilson	1:21:00	Moonee Ponds, VIC

Click here for previous post on 2017 M7 Marathon

Blacktown City Council - Media Release - Family Gears Up For Running Festival

MEDIA RELEASE

12 July, 2017

For the Olbrichs of Rouse Hill, running is a family affair.

On Sunday July 30, Thomas Olbrich and his three children Chelsea, Emalee and Mitchell, will line up for the 12^th Westlink M7 Blacktown Running Festival.

They will be cheered on by their one-woman “support crew”, mum Jill.

“It’s good for the kids,” Mr Olbrich said.

“That’s the main reason I do it. When my 18-year-old son first started he used to be behind me.

“Now he’s in front of me and the younger two are closer to me now too.

“It’s a good incentive for them: if this old man can do it, I can too.”

The family is competing in the 5km race, which starts and ends at the Blacktown International Sportspark.

For the past three years, Mitchell has finished in the top three, and in 2014 he won the race.

This year, he’s hoping to repeat his success.

“I’m injury free, so hopefully it goes well,” he said.

“Just to finish the race is the main goal, but a top three place would be nice.”

Mr Olbrich said the family , who are all members of the Hills Seniors Athletics Club, 

enjoyed the camaraderie of the event.

“There are lots of other running groups taking part, so it’s always a good day,” he said.

“There is an array of runners, from elite athletes to people like myself who are going for fitness and to encourage the younger generation to come through.”

Mayor of Blacktown City Stephen Bali also encouraged everyone to get involved.

“There is a race for everyone from professional athletes to families and kids just having a go,” he said.

“We have 2km walks for parents and little kids, 5km and 10km races, right up to the half marathon and marathon for elite runners.”

More than 460 people have registered for the running festival so far, including a group of five runners who are competing in their 12^th consecutive Blacktown marathon.

“This says a lot about the popularity of the event,” said Mayor Bali.

“We will be doing something special to recognise their achievement.”

The marathon, half marathon and 10km race are all IAAF/AIMS Certified Accurate and the event is a member of AIMS (Association of International Marathons & Distance Races).

Race day entries welcome.

To register follow the link below: http://www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/News_and_Events/Events/2017/July/2017_Westlink_M7_Blacktown_Running_Festival

Event Information

Date: Sunday, 30 July 2017

Location: Blacktown International Sports Park, Rooty Hill – Athletics Facility.

Start times:

6:45am     Start of marathon (42.195km)

7:15am     Start of half marathon (21.1km)

7:40am     Start of 10km run/walk

7:50am     Start of 5km run/walk

7:55am     Start of kid’s marathon 2km

Thomas Olbrich with his children: Emalee, 13, Chelsea, 11 and Mitchell, 18.

The Olbrich children Mitchell, 18, Chelsea, 11, Emalee, 13, with their father Thomas and Mayor of Blacktown City, Stephen Bali.