<10.10.06> World Champion To Make Marathon Debut



10 Oct 2006

MEDIA RELEASE

 

WORLD CHAMPION TO MAKE MARATHON DEBUT

 

Athletics Tasmania today confirmed that in conjunction with Cadbury and the Glenorchy City Council, it would once again hold the Cadbury Marathon on January 7 2007 at the Cadbury Estate.

 

The upcoming Cadbury Marathon will be the 24th running of the event which doubles as the Tasmanian State Championships. 

 

Events to be conducted are;

 

·        Cadbury Marathon, including the Tasmanian State Marathon Championships for men and women.

·        Cadbury Half Marathon, including the Tasmanian State Half Marathon Championships for men and women.

·        Caramello 5km Fun Run

·        Freddo 2.5km Fun Run

·        Coaching clinic (to be held on Saturday 6th January at Cadbury)

 

The 2007 Cadbury Marathon will see the current World Junior and World Senior Orienteering Champion, Hanny Allston make her debut over the marathon.

 

Allston created history in becoming not only the first non-European to become a World Champion Orienteer, but also the first person to hold both a World Junior and World Senior title at the same time.

 

One might think that 20 years of age is too young to run a marathon, however at 18 years of age, Allston won the Cradle Mountain 82km Ultra Marathon, just 20min shy of the course record.

 

“One of my goals for 2007 is to run under 3 hours for a marathon.  It’s a personal goal I have set and I believe I can do it in the Cadbury Marathon.”

 

If Allston does run under 3 hours, she will break the course record which stands at 3 hours 10min and earn herself a $300 course record bonus on top of $650 prizemoney.

 

Becoming a recent World Champion, the invitations have increased for Allston to attend events.  “I get many phone calls each day with people asking me to attend something, but having grown up in Hobart I want to support a local event such as the Cadbury Marathon.”

 

The course sees competitors begin at the Cadbury estate, meander their way around Austins Ferry and Claremont, before making their way out onto the Brooker highway to the Derwent Entertainment Centre and back. 

 

Taking part in the Cadbury Half Marathon in 2007 will see one of the strongest fields ever assembled.  Four time winner Jason Allie will be back and will have tough competition from defending champion Mark Jackson and Australian Representative Kim Gillard.

 

“It’s great the event is picking up momentum.  It looks like there will be a real race in the 2007 Cadbury Half Marathon, not a race against the clock for a fast time.  The increase in prizemoney is also a positive.”

 

Adding further prestige to the event in 2007 will be Australian Marathon Champion Jenny Gillard.  Gillard will run the Cadbury Half Marathon in 2007 in preparation for her competing at the 2007 IAAF World Championships in Osaka where she will have her sights on representing Australia in the Marathon.

 

Race Director and course record holder Colin Oliver is excited about the progress of the Cadbury Marathon.  “I have won this event on five occasions and love still being involved albeit not competing.  With the continued support of Cadbury’s, this prestigious event will continue going from strength to strength.

 

Steve Foster of Athletics Tasmania is excited about the future of the Cadbury Marathon.  “We are pleased to announce two new sponsors this year in Brooks and Run 4 Your Life Magazine, and of course thank Cadbury for their ongoing support in many capacities.”

 

“Thanks to Cadbury, and after trialling them last year, we have introduced the Caramello 5km Fun Run and the Freddo 2.5km Fun Run, for those not quite ready to take on the Cadbury Marathon.”

 

One completely new initiative this year will be a coaching clinic for Under 15’s on the eve of the Cadbury Marathon at the sporting grounds on the Cadbury Estate.  Participation will be free and all participants will receive a free entry into either the Caramello 5km or the Freddo 2.5km.

 

Entry forms are now available at www.tasathletics.org.au, Talays sportstore and the Athletics Tasmania office.

 

Hobart10 October 2006

 

 

Further information: Richard Welsh                                              0409 820 248