The Melbourne Marathon is one of my personal favourite runs! The race orgnaisers IMG continue to improve the event making it world class. The leadup to the event, the race start organisation and drink stations are well equipped with the water pouches making it so much easier than cups provided at other events.
There was no comparison in terms of how much healthier I felt the morning of the race compared to the most recent efforts in Sydney. The temperature was perfect race morning and it was great to see some familiar faces preparing to take on the ultimate marathon through Melbourne.
Rob de Castella was on the start line providing some special words of encouragement and one comment made really said it all ... "Anyone can run a half marathon - It is that marathon that really sets those apart!" Now this resonated with me due to the fact that I have often had a strategy of going very hard in the first half of the race and then struggling in the back half.
It was a magic experience running through the streets of Melbourne and feeling the energy of fellow competitors surging towards the front of the pack. It was almost relaxing running around Albert Park and meeting a fellow runner who mentioned that we had met in Hobart during the Cadbury Marathon earlier in the year.
It was important to pace myself and not attempt to keep up with the fellow runners surging after the 10km stage and I managed to hold my time for the next 11km to make the half way split in under 2 hours. The key was Deek mentioned earlier was to hold the back half of the run. Although the last half was not easy the constant change of scenery helped make the time go faster. In the end the back half was more than 30minutes down on the first half and the journey continues to improve this element of my progress towards being the best Marathon Man possible.
Distance Race Time Leg Time Position Cat Pos Gen Pos Distance
10km 58:03 58:03 1,785 326 1,506 10.5km
21km 1:56:27 58:23 2,429 427 2,007 21.2km
2nd Half 4:29:24 2:32:57 3,054 507 2,395 42.2km
The real highlight of the event was crossing the finish line where I was fortunate enough to be interviewed and had the opportuntity to thank fellow competitors and the supporters for helping to make the Melbourne Marathon such a incredible event on the Australian sporting calendar.
