The Canberra 50km Ultra Marathon, which has been incorporated with the Canberra Marathon for the past 13 years, has been allocated the inaugural Australian 50km Road Championships.
The race has also been endorsed by the International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU) and is proposed to become part of a new world series of 50km races. Subject to certain conditions, the male and female winners in Sundays’ ultra marathon will win trips to the World Final, proposed to be held in Europe later this year.
The Canberra Marathon is unique in giving all marathon finishers the opportunity to go on and complete the 50km ultra marathon.
Last year’s marathon winner, Magnus Michelsson, intends racing the 50km this year. He won the 50km in 2002 and on that occasion was third over the line in the marathon. He’ll be trying for the double – marathon and ultra wins - on Sunday. This feat has not been achieved by any runner to date.
Challenging Michelsson will be experienced New Zealander Mark Hutchinson, who is now based in Queensland. Two years ago Hutchinson ran a strong race in the Gold Coast Marathon, and then ran a great 100km race at the Gold Coast just six days later. So his stamina is certainly not in question.
Victorian Sandra Timmer-Arends, who set an Australian women’s record in Canberra in the 1999 ultra, has entered again this year and shares favouritism with last year’s ultra winner Suzanne Kelly, from NSW, and Siri Tarjesen, from Queensland.
About 120 runners from the 800 pre-entries have advised that they will attempt the extra distance.
The 30th Canberra Marathon and Canberra 50km Ultra Marathon will be held this Sunday 9 April, starting at 7am from the Telopea Park School. Support events include the Asics Marathon Eve 5km and 10km Fun Runs, to be held at 4pm on Saturday afternoon and the Kids Marathon, which starts at 8am on Sunday.
Late entries are accepted on Saturday afternoon at the Telopea Park School for the fun runs and marathon. Entries have closed for the Kids Marathon.
The marathon is a member of AIMS (the Association of International Marathons), an Athletics Australia gold medal event, and supported by Asics and the Australian Capital Tourism Corporation.
Dave Cundy
RACE DIRECTOR
5 April 2006
Ph: 0417 285609
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