Records tumble at Hamilton Island’s Stamford Financial Hilly Half Marathon

Sizzling times, swelling numbers and sensational weather ensured a successful Stamford Financial Hilly Half Marathon on Hamilton Island last Sunday. 

The seventh annual Hilly Half Marathon saw defending champion, Reuben McLoughlin, become the first man to defend the title with a new course record. After trailing newcomers including Mackay’s Jack Atkinson and Wollongong’s James Tunbridge over the opening six kilometres, McLoughlin stepped up the pace once the race entered the trail section. 

Moving into the lead at the 8km mark, McLoughlin powered through the technical ascents including the feared Passage Peak and Resort Lookout climbs to finish in 1:37:39. Proserpine’s Josh Dyke did his best to challenge for the title, and moved up through the field to take second place. Tunbridge held off all other challengers for third, including half marathon debutante Ali Najem of Sydney and international athlete Satoshi Ashida who rounded out the top five.

Guest athlete and two-time World Orienteering Champion, Hanny Allston, showed no ill-effects after a three-year hiatus away from competitive running. Allston dominated the women’s race, finishing fourth overall with a new women’s course record of 1:46:26. During her visit to the Island, Allston generously conducted a school visit and running technique clinic, with her tips proving immediately beneficial to a number of the runners during the races. 

With participant numbers growing by 20%, competition for age group and team relay titles has also increased. With a $1000 Harvey World Travel Voucher up for grabs in the Corporate Relay, it was going to take something special and the husband-wife team of Ryan and Lisa Stansfield from Victorian based firm JRL Land Surveyors, took the honours. Lisa ran legs one and three whilst Ryan ran the middle section, together holding off the Hamilton Island IT Department and Team qualia comprising three chefs from the award-winning resort.

There was more local success with seasoned campaigner Fred Fiedler winning his age group and the all Hamilton Island team of Maja Zepcan, Brooke Evans and Sarah Osbourne claiming the Women’s Team Relay title. Father-son team of Andrew Clode and Lloyd Clode-Roberts also proved too strong and won the Male Team Relay.

The Westpac Junior Fun Run saw 47 children compete across three distances; 3km, 1500m and 500m. The crowd was captivated by the children’s enthusiasm as they soaked up the racing experience, resplendent in their red and black Westpac race shirts. Island resident Ryder Harvey continued his form with a 12:47 to steal the 3km title whilst Shaylah Hunter led home the girls. 

More running awaits Hamilton Island this weekend with the Mother’s Day Classic being staged for the third time. A fundraising event for the Breast Cancer Foundation, the Classic is a non-competitive walk, pram push or run of 4.2 or 7km over much tamer terrain than the Hilly Half Marathon. Participants can register on the day at Bougainvillea Marquee from 6.45am onwards. 

With a family-friendly 8am start, the race is sure to attract many folk, hopefully getting into 
the spirit of the day by donning pink.

-ENDS-

Notes to editors: 
Hamilton Island is located off the Queensland coast of Australia, within the Whitsunday Islands at the edge of the Great Barrier Reef. Here visitors can experience everything that is great about Australia – natural landscapes, calm turquoise waters, secluded beaches, beautiful weather, fascinating coral reefs, diverse flora and fauna. Hamilton Island offers a wide range of accommodation options, not to mention over 60 activities and all within a short direct flight from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Cairns. There are also great connections from other Australian cities. www.hamiltonisland.com.au www.facebook.com/hamiltonisland 

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Katie Cahill, Regional Communications Manager
e: kcahill@hamiltonisland.com.au t: +61 (0)439 775 656

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