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ADF runners sizzle in City to surf race
By Barry Rollings
Volume 49, No. 16, September 06, 2007 |
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HARD WORK: FLTLT Paul Martinovich from RAAF Base Williams (Laverton) put in a strong effort during the City2Surf Fun Run.
Photo by Billy Cuneen |
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Versatile and consistent FLTLT Richard Gardiner added to his list of achievements with a second Defence Athletics Club (DAC) place in the 14km City2Surf Fun Run in Sydney on August 12.
Former Navy Lieutenant Rowan Walker was the first Defence runner home in a record 43mins 16secs against a field of 60,000 other fun runners who made the journey from Sydney to Bondi beach.
That gave him eighth overall in the famous fun run this year, but paradoxically, Mr Walker, of Russell, does not figure as the first official Defence runner home because he was not registered with the Defence Athletics Club.
“Granted that he is also a vet (over-35), his time was a remarkable nine minutes quicker than the previous best – 52.40 (set in 1997),” the secretary of the Defence Athletics Club, CAPT Nick Marcovich, said.
LT Anthony Craig was the first of the registered runners in 45.16. He was 21st overall.FLTLT Gardiner, from RAAF Base Williamtown, was second registered Defence male runner home in 47.17 and 39th overall, and Army’s CPL Jarrod Owen was third in 48.02.
The first female was PTE Rhiannon Brown in 57.53. She also placed third overall in her age category
(21-25). Equal second were CPL Rebecca Cristou and PTE Haley Park, both in 68.11.
Another Air Force placegetter was FLTLT Paul Martinovich from RAAF Base Williams (Laverton), finishing in 53.35 to place less than six minutes behind the third ADF open male placegetter. He ranked 257th overall.
“Great weather made for perfect running conditions and the Defence field of 59 comprised 44 males and 15 females,” CAPT Marcovich said.
“The quality of the male field was one of the best in recent memory with four new top 15 times. In addition to a new overall record and vet time, MAJ Greg Barrowcliff’s 53.59 was 23 seconds faster than the previous 54.22 (1998) in the Masters category (over-45).” |
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