McGrath Launceston Running Festival

HAFTU STRINTZOS!!

GOLD COAST MARATHON WINNER
2:06:20
AUSTRALIAN RECORD

What. A. Run.

So... maybe Launceston really is the perfect lead-up event?

Congratulations to our 10km winner Ed Marks on his Half Marathon debut at the Gold Coast this morning.

He clocked the third-fastest time ever run on Australian soil. An outstanding performance that earns its place in the history books.

Check out the updated All Comers Records on our website to see where it ranks: https://www.launcestonrunningfestival.com.au/event-information/australian-all-comers

For now, Haftu's incredible run in Launceston this year still reigns supreme!

Strap in, this one is amazing.

Mandy Mac is quite possibly the most inspiring runner we've ever met.

Represented Australia at the 1998 Commonwealth Games and former Australian 1500m champion.

Defeated breast cancer years ago and has been a regular participant ever since.

But 9 months before this years event, she underwent a heart transplant. The most serious of serious operations.

On May 31 this year, she completed the Peppers Silo Half Marathon.

From September 26 - October 3, Launceston is hosting the Transplant Australia Games. There is a 5km fun run that is about raising awareness for DonateLife which is free to enter.

Find out more https://australiantransplantgames.com.

The Athlete's Foot 5KM

It had a distinctly Tasmanian feel as a quality local field assembled on the start line.

The men's race delivered a showdown for the ages as Harris, Hamerlok and Laurence went head-to-head. With vastly different preparations leading into the event and plenty of friendship put aside for race day, the trio put on a great contest. In the end, it was Josh Harris - the runner turned cyclist - who claimed the victory ahead of Jamie Laurence, with Douglas Hamerlok close behind in third.

The women's race featured two familiar faces lining up side by side, with Darcy Miller taking on Ashley Fehlberg. Miller proved strongest on the day to take the win, while Fehlberg secured second place. Amarli Palmer rounded out the podium with a strong run for third.

.chiro 10KM

With so much talent on the start line, and athletes arriving with vastly different form lines and goals, picking an outright favourite was no easy task.

In the men's race, the two fastest Australians of all time over 10km, Sam Clifford and Jack Rayner, went head-to-head. But it was Victoria's Ed Marks who stole the show, leading from start to finish to break the course record and stop the clock in a stunning 27:57 - the fifth-fastest time ever run on Australian soil.

The women's race promised an enthralling contest between Caitlin Scott, Georgie Grgec and Ruby Smee. Just like the men's race, Caitlin took control from the gun and never looked back, smashing her personal best and equalling Leanne Pompeani's course record with a superb 31:38.

Two dominant performances. Two course records. One unforgettable morning in Launceston.

Our medical servicing team received a welcome boost this year, with the addition of new kids on the block Performance Medicine North.

If you're in need of a dedicated sports medical service in Launceston, see Matt and the team.

Performance Medicine North provided medical support for the McGrath Launceston Running Festival.

It was a fantastic day and great to see a huge turnout of runners and supporters.

It is always exciting to see athletes pushing themselves to perform at their best amongst a great atmosphere!

HALF MARATHON

The weather gods were certainly smiling on our Half Marathon participants.

A new and improved course, a stacked field, and a record 1,550 entrants took to the streets of Launceston.

It was Haftu Strintzos who broke the tape first, setting a new All Comers Record, Course Record, and an outstanding time of 60:41. He was followed home by three-time champion Brett Robinson and Japan's Jinya Ozaki.

Izzi Batt-Doyle led the women's field home in a blistering 68:46, also setting a new course record and recording the fastest ever time by an Australian women on Australian soil. Gen Gregson claimed second, while Yumi Yoshikawa backed up her podium finish from last year with a third-place result.

A massive congratulations to all finishers on an incredible effort.

A special thank you goes to our Foot Soldier, Ash, for being out there and helping get everyone to the finish line. We couldn't do it without you!

MILE

Our first finishers of the day, and it was almost over before it began - that's how quick they were!

In just over 5 minutes, Arthur Cooney became the first participant ever to cross our brand-new finish line. He was followed home by Lachlan and Matthew.

Our first female finisher was Molly Pilkington, who was pushed all the way to the line by Poppy and Asta.

What a fantastic way to start the day!