Sydney shone with stunning blue skies while 34,000 runners took part in 4 events in this years Blackmores Sydney Running Festival yesterday. In perfect conditions the harbour glistened as runners took part in the 4km Family run, the very popular 9km Bridge run, the half marathon (21.1km) and the Sydney Marathon (42.2km).
Kenyan runner Willy Koitile won the marathon in a time of 2:13:48 beating Frenchman El Hassane Ben Lkhainouch (2:14:28) & South African marathoner Lucky Mohale, third in 2:15:48. Africans dominated the women’s marathon as well with Ethiopian Biruktait Degefa smashing the 12yr old course record by more than 5 minutes in her 2:32:46 to finish ahead of compatriot Workitu Ayanu Gurmu (2:33:20) and Kenyan Irene Mogaka (2:38:20). It’s a great sign of increased popularity of the event as 
more elite runners from around the world are attracted to the Sydney event. Also the Australian Marathon Championship in 2013 the Sydney Marathon attracted a strong local field with Sydneysider Alexander Matthews (2:25:32) taking the men’s title while Queenslander Sharon Ryder (3:01:43) claimed the women’s crown.
Wheelchair racing superstar Kurt Fearnely (1:39:15) won his 5th marathon title in Sydney with a 12minute win over Nathan Arkley (1:51:30) & Richard Nicholson (1:54:35). In 5 weeks time Fearnely will head to New York in his quest for another New York City Marathon title.
The Half Marathon was another great tussle with Yoshihiro Nishizawa (1:07:02) of Japan beating home Australians Gemechu Woyecha (1:07:56) & Vlad Shatrov (1:09:20) in perfect cool crisp conditions. In the women’s Half Australians finished 1st & 2nd with Laura James (1:18:36) and Jane Fardell (1:19:26) finishing ahead of Ema Harada (1:20:16) of Japan.
The 9km Bridge run attracted over 14,000 runners as David Mainwaring (28:57) claimed the men’s crown beating home 2 other Wollongong locals Barry Keem & James Davy, while Belinda Martin beat home Australian Steeplechaser Milly Clark by 8sec to win the women’s title with Anita Keem taking 3rd.
The Family fun run attracted close to 5000 participants of all ages to cap off a perfect Sydney Running Festival. To add to the excitement a host of local celebrities ran including event ambassador Glenn McGrath, Kate Hollywood, Eric Grothe Jr, Lachie Turner, Damien Leith & Kate Nieland.
Our very own #OUTFITrunners had a great day on the course with several PB’s & fast runs. Special mention to Claire Stewart, Martin Allan, Bobbie Crothers, Katie Jones, Libby MacGregor & Matt Richell. Congratulations guys!
Stay tuned for more marathon news as we follow the 40th Berlin Marathon this weekend (29th Sept), and then head over to Chicago for the Chicago Marathon on 13th October.
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