Sun rise. Sunday October 13, 2013.
Marathon day has arrived.
Arriving at the MCG.
First stop, bag drop.
The calm before the storm. The MCG is home to many iconic Melbourne events: test cricket, the AFL Grand Final .... and the finish of the Melbourne Marathon.
(Hope its not this dark when we get back here!)
Another Melbourne icon: Flinders Park Tennis Centre, home of The Australian Open .... and the start line of the Melbourne Marathon.
Yep, a wedding dress. Did this bloke borrow it from his wife? (Nearby there was also someone getting into a roman soldier's outfit; beware that chaffing!)
This bloke had not 1 but 2 cameras. And he used 1 to good effect to photograph the other one!
Lots of charity runners on the start line, for lots of good causes.
The three best lookin' blokes on the course!
Pre-race nerves.
It's cool. Its 5 minutes before 7am. The national anthem is sung, then...
... the gun goes and you walk/shuffle/jog/then .... run.... over the start line!
The race begins ..... up hill!! (And I'm allowed to run on the tram tracks!)
Down Flinders Street (not a tram in site!)
A famous Melbourne site: Flinders Street (train) Station. Some of our oldest city architecture ...
... and some of our newest (Federation Square).
The beautiful Arts Centre spire.
The MCG sits in the distance .... longingly awaiting our return...
St Kilda Road's National Art Gallery
This is not a drink stop. Repeat, this is not a drink stop!
Most creative cheer squad award looks like being given out early ...
Temptation .....
I loved this girl's running outfit ....
..... and this guy who wanted me to take his photo while he was smiling!
The Shrine of Remembrance. Our war memorial.
Only in Melbourne do you have to look out for trams during your marathon.
Not a good sign #1. This is the first few km's and you're in trouble if you're needing aid already ....
Not a good sign #2. A queue at the porta loos .... already!
Legends: 'The Spartans'. Minimum entry requirements = 10 marathons.
This guy's done that 3 and half times!!
Marathoning = permission to litter!
The beautiful boulevard that is St Kilda Road. Just imagine this in autumn (fall).
Overhead this group chatting about the guy in yellow - a crazy runner from the USA who has done 460 marathons! His friend (white hat) had only done 180!
Yes, those guys on the right are teeing off! The Albert Park Golf Course.
Fore! (And whatever you do, don't slice it!)
Icon # lots! The race track of the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix.
But we go the opposite direction (and not quite so fast!)
Volunteers .... bless em. A smile, a drink .....
.... and then they clean up after us. THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS!
Best supporter costume entrant ...
Either most inspiring or most stupid runner entrant!
Wow - another Spartan. Yes in front of me also.
Wonder if I'll be capable of that when I'm his age?
10km mark. And first time we see the runners looping back.
Exiting pit lane. Bet Michael Schumacher never had to deal with this congestion!
I can only imagine the world of hurt this guy will be in today ... (didn't stop to ask him if he had ever heard of the term "running shoe"!)
Start line of the Grand Prix track.
Down Fitzroy St. Bit early for most of these locals.
Waiting for Mum to cheer her on. Good on ya Dad!
The wind kicks in here as we reach Port Philip Bay.
Is that a drop of rain I feel? .....
Next contestant in the 'best running costume' competition
In the distance in the Able Tasman ship .... Port Melbourne.
Good leg tattoo for a day like today:
#takewhateverhelpyoucanget!
20km mark. Check out the beautiful houses along the bay.....
..... not bad views .
Depending on how you're feeling this is either glass half full ... or half empty!
One of my favourite photos of the whole run!
Down onto the esplanade ... that ice-cream shop looks tempting
It's a long haul along Beach Road, good thing you've got things to look at ...
like really bad running outfits (2nd from left!)
There was chatter that his mates were breaking out a beer for him!...
Kids handing out lollies and high fives .... always welcome!
THANK YOU KIDS!
His t shirt and flag read "God Is Love".
Always a joy to find a fellow charity team runner! So encouraging.
Back up past Luna Park, the steep Fitzroy St, and turning back onto St Kilda Rd.
The return journey begins ....
In my opinion all marathoners are super heroes .... some just dress a little more like it!
Wedding dress #2 ...
Winners: Best cheer squad on the course ... by far!
35km mark - and, having just sited the MCG, the course swings you away on the nasty last loop ...
.... but its too much for some. The tears have started ....
.... and the hamstrings start to cramp.
The half-marathoners have a tempting short cut .....
The Shrine is now on the right, but .....
... it sits atop the final hill.
Push! Push!
... pushed too hard.
And here comes the rain.
Drink cups are sent flying by the wind!...
.... but the fans keep cheering..... THANK YOU FANS!
A typical view of Melbourne .... in the middle of winter!
The MCG beckons.... somewhere over there amidst the clouds.
40km and the rain starts to wash the sweat down the face .. yuck.
A last minute entrant in best running costume.
At this stage the MCG may as well be on another planet ....
Lane closure. Ambulance. Someone is down and the paramedics get to work
THANK YOU PARAMEDICS.
Unfortunately this is about just 500m from the end!
Brunton Avenue, the final stretch.....
gonna make it ....
entering the tunnel....
... the hallowed MCG turf ....
... the rain is bucketing down now ....
... but there's the finish line ...
"I'm so happy. I'm so sore. I'm so happy. I'm so sore".
A drink and medal for the hard work.
Sucess!
Real success.
Really real success.
So there you have it. My 2013 Melbourne Marathon in pictures.
Thanks for joining me on the journey!
And if you're really keen and want to support the cause ... here's the link to my fundraising page. THANK YOU READERS!!
