Australia’s best go head-to-head at Marathon festival
GBR MARATHON FESTIVAL
THE half Marathon is gearing up to be a tight competition as two of Australia’s best face off.
Dual Commonwealth Games Marathon gold medallist Michael Shelley will hit Port Douglas this Sunday and is tipped to take top honours in the half Marathon.
Shelley won Commonwealth Marathon gold in Glasgow in 2014 and again earlier this year on the Gold Coast. However, while he may be in top form it wont be a walk in the park as he goes up against Olympic champion Steve Moneghetti.
Moneghetti will be back in town for his 8th time as a Run for the Reef Ambassador and will also be competing in the Half Marathon.
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Upon hearing that Moneghetti would be returning, Shelley said he couldn’t resist the offer to attend the event so they “could belt out the course together”.
“Monas was my boyhood idol growing up,” said Shelley.
“I always aspired to be a Monas and so to be able to run with him in what is becoming a major event on the Australian sporting calendar is just fantastic.”
However, Moneghetti wont be his only challenge as a strong contingent of talented regional, interstate and international competitors also take on the half marathon.
There will be 750 runners in this event and a hot contender is local Nick Carling who still holds the Half Marathon event record at 1:21:17 (ave 2:08). Nick also helped design the course and placed 2nd in the Townsville Half Marathon in August.
Other challenges hot on their heels include Ipswich champion Jon Camilleri who placed 3rd in the Townsville Half Marathon and Cairns athlete Phil Bradshaw.
Almost 2,500 competitors from thirteen countries and every Australian state and territory will also be competing on Sunday at the Tropical Journeys Great Barrier Reef Marathon Festival.
There is still time to register to join in the fun and run the 2km, 5km, 10km, half or full marathon with everyone who registers going into the draw to win a trip to Rome!
Enter the Tropical Journeys Great Barrier Reef Marathon at: www.greatbarrierreefmarathon.com.au
Marathon Festival Offical Course Maps
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