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 - 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 - 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