Monday, May 10, 2021

Canberra Marathon Festival 5.45k Fun Run

This race was held on 11 April and to fit the course in with the half marathon and 10k events we raced over 5.45 kilometres. It was sure to be a PB as I've never raced that distance before! There were large fields for all events, these being the first 'mass start' races since Covid-19 restrictions started in March last year. There were 702 runners in the 5.45k race.


My start position was good, about 10 metres back from the line. After the initial rush I settled in behind my rival Jim, following him around the first bend before easing ahead. I was more or less maintaining position on the gradual climb up to Parliament House (first kilometre in 5:26). Around the back of PH I passed a few of the fast starters and was feeling fairly comfortable with the pace. The second km (a bit of up, then flat) took 5:20 then we enjoyed the downhill from the other side of Parliament House — 5:06 for that split. There was plenty of space to run now as we headed towards Lake Burley Griffin. I was sticking with the nearby runners pretty well and feeling good. The next two kilometres passed in 5:01 and 5:13, then 2:13 for the 450m to the finish.


I was pleased with the result, 65th place and 1st in the M60-69 group, and how I felt during the race. Average pace was 5:12 per km, so a better result than the 26:04 track 5000m, considering the hill early in the course. I'm looking forward to the Autumn/Winter races with their typically calm and sunny conditions.


Races are back! With Jim (red singlet) for the Sri Chinmoy Cooleman Clip 5k trail race.

9 comments:

Niffy Nev said...

Well Done Ewen, especially with first 1 km the up hill start. 👍 We enjoyed watching the 1/2M and marathon races - a good day. 😀

Ewen said...

Thanks Nev, yes, it was a good day. Tough for the marathoners with that westerly breeze.

Secret Blog for Killing Track PBs said...

Well done Ewen, hope you find a nice place for that medal :-)

Grellan said...

Well done on the category win Ewen.

Ewen said...

Thanks SB, the medal was a nice surprise!
Good to hear from you Grellan, hope you're doing well.

Grellan said...

Doing fine Ewen , thanks. Still running, which is the main thing ;-)

Black Knight said...

Well done! 1st in the age group and 65 of 702 overall is a very good achievement.

canute1 said...

Ewen,

I am afraid I have not been following your blog (or any others) in recent times, but I was pleased to read about your run at the Canberra Marathon Festival. Well done in winning your age group and also on your very creditable time.
It was great that racing was back on the agenda in May. However, on the basis of the more recent news regarding Covid in NSW I suspect that you might have faced renewed restrictions in the ACT. With the summer season approaching I hope that the situation is improving and that the 25 min target for 5K is still in your sights

Ewen said...

Thanks for dropping in Grellan and BK.
Thanks Canute, things are ticking over but yes, back in lockdown so no races or parkruns until probably November at the earliest. My 5k time trials are still stubbornly over 26 minutes at the moment, but haven't given up on running close to 25. Hope springs eternal!