Tasmanian Marathon Championships
16 Jan 2012
Local distance runners made the most of some interstate and international competition on Sunday, producing quality results at the Cadbury Marathon.
With the Tasmanian championships being contested for both the marathon and half marathon at Cadbury, most of the states best long distance performers turned out for the event.
Former Athletics Tasmania staffer Dan Smee continued his impressive career performances in being the first Tasmanian over the line in the marathon, finishing just outside the 2hour 40minute barrier.
Smee’s effort placed him sixth overall in the race and confirms his top state marathon ranking after being the first Tasmanian over the line at the Australian championships in Melbourne last October.
Coming second to Smee in the state championship was Max Ostberg. A relatively new person to running and only in his early 20’s, Ostberg was 10th across the line overall. Third place was former Perth Marathon winner Stewart Pither.
Amy Hinds was the top placed Tasmanian female in the 42.195km distance, finishing 4th overall in the women’s division.
Paula Dixon and Jacqui Guy both placed in the top 10 overall, with Dixon just placing ahead of Guy in the state title.
Launceston’s Dave Thomas who took line honours in the Cadbury Half Marathon scooped the state title in the process, in a super quick 67:30.
Thomas’s effort relegated defending champion Andy Allison of Hobart to second, with Jono Windsor from the north west claiming third.
Sandy Bay’s Jen Gillard put the disappointment of pulling out of last years Cadbury Marathon behind her to win the Tasmanian half marathon championship in a shade over 83minutes. Gillard also got amongst the prizemoney overall to finish in 4th place.
Proving her flexibility in distance running, was second placegetter Mel Daniels. After a stunning 2011 which brought her national track medals and road victories on the Gold Coast and Hong Kong, Daniels was the second Tasmanian in her first ever attempt at the 21.1km distance and 5th overall.
Seasoned performer Fiona Lennon was third in the women’s.
(with thanks to the Mercury).
Tasmanian Marathon Championships
WOMEN
1) Amy Hinds – 4:14:48
2) Paula Dixon – 3:28:33
3) Jacqui Guy – 3:30:20
MEN
1) Daniel Smee – 2:40:16
2) Max Ostberg – 2:52:27
3) Stewart Pither – 3:00:17
Tasmanian Half Marathon Championships
WOMEN
1) Jen Gillard – 1:23:07
2) Mel Daniels – 1:25:17
3) Fiona Lennon – 1:28:38
MEN
1) Dave Thomas – 1:07:30
2) Andy Allison – 1:13:11
3) Jono Windsor – 1:15:20