Running helps me help others: Andrew's blog

Sunday, January 14, 2024

Oh, the irony! Cadbury Hobart Marathon Jan 7, 2024

7th January 2024

I find some irony in Cadbury chocolate sponsoring a marathon.

Growing up I remember Marlboro cigarettes sponsoring the tennis and Benson & Hedges the cricket, but we never thought anything of it. Couldn't do that today! Thankfully, chocolate is still allowed to sponsor running events but I still think its funny.

This event is a great running tradition in Tasmania. The 41st running in fact. And this year was their highest participant numbers ever.

The event starts and finishes at the Cadbury factory in Claremont, about 20kms outside of Hobart.

That's me in the green top/white hat on the left heading off from the start. Only 42.1km to go!

Not the biggest marathon but a really nice event. About 300 in the full and 600 in the Half. There's also a 10k, 5k and 1k family run.

The course is 2 laps, beginning with a couple of laps around the old factory workers area and then out past MONA and over the bridge and back.

It's rather different to train for and run a marathon in January - you never know what the weather will be like. But it was spot on. 24 hours later it was wet and would have been nowhere near the fun.

Hobart has another marathon event starting this year in April in downtown Hobart. That could impact this one, but its heritage - and free chocolate - will help! Did I say that Cadbury gave us chocolate in our post-event showbags?

Even Deeks on the chocolate ... a nice touch

We had a great weekend away and a great start to the running year.

Lots of excitement for a photo with some poor volunteer sweating up in a frog suit!!

ANDREW'S RATINGS!

Organisation	8	Yep, all good. They know what they're doing and do it well. It was all very casual and all very relaxed. Just rock up and run. There was a muck up with the Half where they ran a bit longer, but that was a bit of a mistake, that's all. Given the size, bag drop and bib collection were really easy. Lots of nice vollies too. Only criticism was the return bus journey which was not well organised.
Crowd	2	No spectators to really mention out there. One great fan on course side calling everyone's names, but that shows how few were to be found!
Atmosphere	7	Good feel. Everyone was chilled and up beat. A great example ... who would have thought that the most prized photo after the event was a snap with Freddo Frog or Caramello Koala! There was a runner dressed as an Oompah-loompah - and carried chocolate around in a wheelbarrow, smiling happily the entire way!
Course	6	Couple of laps around the Cadbury factory and then we were away on course. It was much hillier than I was expecting. Not so much undulating as big hills with gradual climbs. Must make mention of the last km which is Cadbury Rd and is pretty much 1km up hill! 340 metres elevation over the entire course.
Expo	1	Wasn't one, it was pick up at a Hobart sports store.
Medal	8	Good medals:
Runner’s pack	6	Score higher points because its the only (post event) showbag I can remember that has given us chocolate!!
Injuries	0	No black toe nails!

https://cadburymarathon.com.au/

Sunday, July 9, 2023

Gold Coast Marathon, 2 July 2023 - 7 years revenge!

2 July 2023

7 years is a long time for revenge! But revenge becomes sweeter with time!

Back in 2016 I took on this event with big hopes for a PB and, unfortunately, it ended with me sitting in the gutter, no PB, and definitely a feeling of Gold Coast 1: Andrew 0.

So there was unfinished business to be done in 2023.

This was me in 2016. Worst marathon day ever!

Back then I labelled it deserving of the title of "best marathon in Australia". Would I still say the same all these years later?

For a start, perfect GC conditions. No wonder so many Melburnians come up here in winter! Low of 14 and high of 21 is just perfect.

So many visitors. Obviously they are doing a great job with the Japanese tourist market, building year on year to where some of the Japanese nationals are now 30 year runners! Good on them. And winning the men's event too.

Overall, 28,000 runners over the 2 day event. 6,722 of those doing the marathon.

So a great event, but also tragedy when 1 person dies and 1 person is in ICU. We saw people in the hands of medics - and we are always extremely grateful for them. The person who passes away was just "metres from the finish line" and had a cardiac arrest. A traveller from France in his 50s on holidays. That could have been me travelling to France in my 50s instead.

With satisfaction I looked back at the 2016 event and reviewed the photos. I remember in detail how bad it was! Yes I was slower this time but 20% slower doesn't match 80% more enjoyment!

So is it still the best marathon the country has to offer?

Melbourne has sold out months ahead of its 2023 event. Sydney is working hard to win its World Majors title. And I experienced Brisbane just a few weeks ago.

So the ultimate ranking is in. If I could choose to do one marathon in Australia to show off the best we have to offer, I would still say this is "the best marathon in Australia".

But the result is different this time: Gold Coast 1: Andrew 1.

My event ranking:

Including a comparison to the 2016 event.

Organisation	2016: 9 2023: 9	They bring everything together so well. To a standard seen at even bigger events around the world. I'll repeat what I said in 2016 because 'when you're on a good thing, stick to it'... Its easy (free transport); its user friendly (lots of space, signs, etc); its runner friendly (huge drink stations and a dedicated runners area after the finish line). Compared to Melbourne and Sydney it really is a notch above.
Course	2016: 7 2023: 7	Sunrise over the Gold Coast never looks so good as coming out of the dark at the start and crossing the bridge and heading towards the beach. Parts of the course heading south are starting to get a bit squeezy. Not as bad as other events, but if they want to increase the numbers this will have to be considered. And really clever to start the marathon heading south and then the 10km heading north on the same day. Marathoners finish the day running the same 10km segment.
Atmosphere	2016: 8 2023: 8	So many big Aussie names. Seeing legends like Eloise Wellings (4th) and Liam Adams (3rd) on course is a buzz. Liam ran the fastest marathon by an Aussie on Australian soil in 2:08:39.
Crowds	2016: 7 2023: 7	Like it was in 2016, I'll call it "best in Australia". It's because its the GC and so many people are outside and cheering along so much of the course.
Expo	2016: 7	No score this year because we were late (due to flight delays) and ran in to collect bibs just as it was closing! But I'm scoring them up - knowing we were running late I sent a message via social media mid-flight and got a response back in 5 mins. They gave me the office number to call and they said, very calmly, that it would all be fine and I could collect my bibs in the morning if needed. Very impressive customer service.
Medal	2016: 6 2023: 8	Yep, definitely gone up a notch.
Runner’s pack	2016: 7 2023: 9	One of my bug bears is bad t-shirts. Especially when the event has a big apparel sponsor. The designs are a matter of opinion and I haven't been a big fan of the GC designs, but I really like this tshirt - subtle on the front and loud on the back. And good quality. Thanks Asics. And I like how you collect your medal, tshirt and mini towel as you exit the runner's precinct, via your short size!! (Which is also labelled on your bib). .
Injuries	2016: 6 2023: 0	Nothing really - the big black toe nail from Brisbane a few weeks ago probably just got bigger!

Obligatory daggy kiss the medal photo!

https://goldcoastmarathon.com.au/

Runjani.com
@runjanji

Sunday, June 18, 2023

Brisbane Marathon 2023

4th June 2023

Brisbane's a beautiful city for running.

It’s the first week in winter and it comes with an overnight low of 15 degrees. A high for the day of 24. Perfect.

This makes the prospect of running here enticing! (As compared to the gloves and beanies I’ve been wearing in training).

Welcome to the 2023 Brisbane Marathon.

It's not a huge event. 7 or 8 thousand people across the 4 distances.

The Half and Full go off together at the same time - 6am. I quite enjoyed having both events on course at the same time and the two laps of the same course gives you lots of people to see. (There’s also a 10km and they would really struggle going fast and having to pass the slow longer distance runners.)

And I do love a big city marathon.

They close the Storey Bridge only four times a year - and this is one of those days. That’s cool. It’s an iconic landmark of Brisbane and worth running over.

There's a couple of other unique elements too ...

* There’s a boardwalk (New Farm River Walk) that's about 30m into the water - and you run along that.

* Starts and finishes in the Botanic Gardens. Good on them.

Finish Line video!

It was a really nice size event. Not too big. Not too small.

A nice tshirt and nice medal.

I keep writing the word ‘nice’. And I think that’s what it was. Nice is about right. Not ‘gobsmacking outstanding’. Not ‘oh that was ordinary’. Everything was just about right.

What can I complain about? Nothing comes to mind. They close the roads and give us the city for the day. Nice!

I’d definitely encourage people to do it. You can’t lose. Make a weekend of it. What a great winter escape.

ANDREW'S RATINGS!

Organisation	9	Nothing to fault really. The Expo bib collection was straight forward. Lots and lots of volunteers. Lots of drink stations (water and electrolytes).
Crowd	8	Around the start/finish in the garden it was great. And the few spectators on the Bridge was cool. Out the back of the course there was a few.
Atmosphere	7.5	If you didn't know the event was on in town it would be easy to miss.
Course	8	The highlight is the Storey Bridge.
Expo	4	The Expo was at the start/finish area.
Medal	9	Really nice (there's that word again!)
Runner’s pack	7.5	Not a bad tshirt.
Injuries	1	Just a doozy of a black toe nail. On my big toe.

Obligatory daggy kiss the medal photo! (Storey Bridge in the background)

https://www.brisbanemarathon.com.au/

Runjani.com

@runjanji

Tuesday, November 8, 2022

Feeling runmotional. My 6 Star World Marathon Majors journey comes to an end ...

October 2022

Well that was fun!

The 2022 London Marathon ends a journey that was dreamed and started back in 2011.

Back then I heard about the relatively new Abbott World Marathon Majors challenge to complete the world’s 6 biggies: New York - London - Chicago - Tokyo - Berlin and Boston. These 6 events are running's equivalent of the tennis Grand Slam.

I wanted to do it to use running to help others.

After a long wait due to Covid, the goal was accomplished at the 2022 TCS London Marathon. (I had originally signed up with a charity spot for London's 2020 event.)

On the way we’ve raised tens of thousands of dollars for great charities that have made life-changing impact.

And that’s only been possible for those of you who helped along the way - you bought caricatures, sausages, raffle tickets and more. Much more.

While running the streets of London I thought of all of you. I was a fair bit “runmotional” as my mate Michael Chitwood would say.

Mike Dolbey you started this off with the first donation. I will never forget.

Johan Vilhelm Eltvik, Peter Burns and Stephen Bendle you were great friends and bosses who gave me time to pursue this dream.

So many more of you who made it possible - Rose Levien, Liam Harris, Paul Littmann, Kelly Addis, and so many more.

I’ve made friends from around the world and home - Tim Fearn-Wannan.

While running in the London Marathon I saw one of them - amazingly - on the course. Juampa Martinez was at my first event for World Vision in New York - and he was there in London enabling and empowering runners to do the same thing - help others by running. Out of 50,000 runners and zillions of cheering fans over a 42km course across London how is it possible I saw him and he hears my call? Blessed.

Here is Juampa running in New York with me back in 2011. He hasn't lost his spark and passion and has helped countless others experience this joy too.

I have been so encouraged by my running family Diamond Valley Striders and I couldn't have done it without their care, encouragement and support. Everyone should find a running group to encourage them like I am fortunate to have.

And to my family who came on the journey with me - Aaron McKenzie (New York), Benjamin McKenzie (Boston), Amber McKenzie (Tokyo), Bella McKenzie (London virtual) and Debbie McKenzie (Berlin and - appropriately- crossed the finish line with me in London).

It’s now time to think of new ways to use running to help others.

253.2 kms done. And a big special medal to show for it

For the majority of these events I've worn the same yellow singlet with "Janji" plastered on the front. Janji is a special running company that shares its profits with water benefitting projects in countries from where their designs are inspired. Running and water is pretty important for each other, That's why I'm glad to promote this apparel company above any other. Janji

SOME STATS ABOUT THE MAJOR SERIES

* More people in the world have now joined the "6 Star" Club (7,584) than have climbed Mt Everest (6,014)!

* I'm one of just 190 Aussies in that Club! And 1 of 230 from Oceania. (The largest are the US 1,433 and UK 733).

And now my name is on the Wall Of Fame! Another nice touch. These photos from the New York Marathon Expo one month after London (and taken by Juampa for me!)

ANDREW'S RATINGS!

Organisation

Really impressive. The WMM team do a great job - the website is easy and they communicate to you regularly.

You can log all your details in their runners portal.

And nice little touches like this ... a bib for your back. It worked! Lots of encouragement during the race.

Scanning my bib at the finish line to make it all official...

Atmosphere

There has been a buzz about finishing this challenge. The Covid-delay saw London's event delayed from April 2020 to Oct 2020, then 2021 and then to October 2022. It was worth the wait.

... and then I get the medal :)

Courses

Each of them different, each of them special. (Have a read of my other blog post about which one is my favourite).

You can't miss the WMM signage at these races nowadays - here's London's start corrals

Expo

They have really upped their game from when it began. Now the WMM is front and centre at the Expo and they have fun things like runner treadmills and ways to promote the series and engage with people.