December 2011 Newsletter - West Australian Marathon Club

Fremantle Half Marathon - A view from within
By Ray Lampard
This was not going to be a repeat of my commentary
stint at the Perth Half Marathon. Instead it was time
my turn to get back running and join in the fun of
the Fremantle Half Marathon. Given that Evan had
competed in the 5k last year it was my turn to run, no
on course commentary though, one needs to be able to
breathe to run. I was under strict orders to get back to
the commentary booth before 1.25 to call the majority
of runners over the line... Evan’s turn next year.
Yet another perfect day greeted runners. It seems
every time I write a report of this nature I always say
what an amazing day it was ... Oh for the day that a
storm rolls in!
The field was wide open this year as many of the
usual suspects were nowhere to be seen and
spanning the crowd before the race, it was looking
to be an exciting race. Fremantle Councillor Robert
Fittock fired the gun and 700 runners were on route
in another Fremantle Half Marathon.
Out on course you get a different perspective of what
takes place, the moves, the surges and the faces...
The saying that a picture speaks a thousand words is
an understatement; rather it’s the grimaces speak a
thousand words.
In the women’s field, Tina Major all but had it
wrapped up in the first 2km. She was definitely on a
One of WA’s best women’s runners, Tina Major, on her way to victory at
the Fremantle Half Marathon. Photo credit: Dash Photography
mission and is poetry in motion - crossing the line
in 1.21.49 with the ability to still blow out a candle.
Katherine Ryan finished second with Visnja Jareb
crossing third.
In the men’s it was Brett Johnson, doing what he
does best, leading from the front. After the Perth
Half he was determined not to let this one get away,
and ran from the front the whole way and take an
emphatic win from fast running Chris O’Neill. Third
was Eric Watson, pipping running stalwart Stephen
Stockwell on the line.
In the 5km event, which gets underway a little before
the half marathon, the first three men were just 10
seconds apart, with Chartt Miller taking line honours
in 16:09, Tommy Lovekin in second in 16:19 and Bruce
Hogg in third in 16:29. Among the women, Lauren
Shelley had the race sewn up as she continues her
great come back, winning in 17:51 with Mathilda
Connell in second in 18:25 and Rachael Smith in third
in 18:48.
Smiles all around at the half marathon.
Photo credit: Dash Photography
The course itself had more twists than a Hollywood
blockbuster. It makes it for a very different run from
the usual out and back courses. Next year, if you
are find yourself lacking in exciting races, then the
Fremantle Half would be the one for you. I could
almost guarantee you won’t be running longer than
2km on the same road!
26