Perth Marathon: 07:30AM on 19th June 2011 – www.perthmarathon.com.au

For pictures from our athletes, please see our picture gallery.

19 June 2011 CHRIS KOVALSKI wrote :

Many, many thanks to all the NSRG groupies who were out there today supporting,encouraging,taking photo’s and marshalling today. You made our day special.

All the NSRG runners that started the Marathon Finished and there were some stand out performances today. Especially first timers. We breed them tough in our group so well done to every one of you.

If you would like to write a race report I would be happy to send it around the group and post it on the website.

Once again thanks much appreciated.

Chris

19 June 2011 EULALIA VAN BLOMESTEIN wrote :

Dear NSRG Runners

I have to second Chris and say a huge thanks to all of you out there today who encouraged and supported myself and so many others along the way. I found it a bit tough going MOST of the way ( begging Voltaren’s off of all of you I knew…… I was in pain and desperate, what can I say…) but with determination and your encouragement I made it.

Well done to all who finished – especially first timers and PB achievers. Have a good rest for a few days.

Cheers

Eulalia

19 June 2011 DAVID JOHNSON wrote :

Hi Chris

Got to agree with you. Support from nsrg cheer squad was amazing. It’s a long run that’s made so much easier with friends supporting you all over the course.

Congratulations to all who finished. Especially first timers and pb ers.

Davie

19 June 2011 LEE J HALEY wrote :

Many Many Thanks to you Chris, we had a ball supporting you all, congratulations and well done! you are an amazing an inspiring lot to say the least and I am so lucky to be part of the wonderful NSRG

see you out there xx Lee

19 June 2011 SHARON BAIRD wrote :

I definitely second, third & fourth  that thanks – to all NSRG members on and off the course today.

Your inspiration, advice, motivation and support were so appreciated before, during and after the marathon.

Thank you for putting up with this novice who arrived at WAMC this morning and immediately wanted to sit in a corner and cry!

I was fine once the legs got moving – but wouldn’t have made it to the start line, let alone the finish line without NSRG.

Before joining NSRG about 15 months ago, I had never run over 12km and thought marathons were for nutjobs! Today I became a fully inducted nutbjob and completed my first marathon. J

You are a beautiful bunch of people.

(Thank you also to being so lovely to my family along the way.)

Shar (white hat)

19 June 2011 ROBERT FAWLER wrote :

WELL DONE

I thought I would get in first before all the normal quotes and pats on the backs are handed out. While number 12 was nothing special in the time department from a personal perspective it easily became one of my most enjoyable. While out on the coarse the support from the gang was suburb from Terry, Lee and the their little girls, Ali and her sister, Brian and his own personal support vehicle and drink station, Fiona and her bike, Andy and his willing and almost ready to run with me, Louie and his camera, Dennis and his skirt and ghetto blaster and signage, Heather and her contagious smile and Phil O and many others who willed us all on well done.

The feeling at the finish was even better, SUPER DOOPER SEAN COOPER who less than 14 days ago completed the gruelling KEP 103K in a unreal time only to blitz his Marathon P.B in 3.12 and I did kiss him this time. Eulalia who fought some tough pain to still be in the top 5 of the state and smile to play another day.  Bob who also lost his Australian marathon virginity in a comfortable 3.13 closely followed by Steve a first time marathoner 3.14. Peter who seems a natural runner and went out to test himself first time at the distance 3.18. Bruce finally proved to himself he is a quality runner at the 42.2k and may of just run a P.B at 3.28 he and was stoked with his effort. Kevin J who likes to get the job done around 3.30 always enthusiastic and happy with his efforts.  Ed in his first crack at the marathon blazed away for a 3.36 and worked hard for it. Caroline who with a very bad burst blister and a grit and determination impressed her husband, little boy and many around her with her first time effort. Phil Selfe who managed his 18th Perth said they weren’t getting easier but he will continue to turn up and get that 20th done before he moves on to the next 5 to 25. Keith who was just there to do one could not get the smile off his face at under 4 hours for his first attempt. Chris our patron SAINT and the man who would help anyone out there to achieve their goals again a respectable sub 4hours. The elder statesman of our group Dave at 70 years of age a fantastic sub 5 hours. Gail who looked as happy as with having taken herself to the mountain and conquered it with her all girl crew. Rob Rob who lost some 12 kilos on his journey was slowly enjoying the moment but not the thought of putting his nipples in eth shower woo hoo and a well done finish. Ian my training buddy who would have taken anytime was wrapped in his 4.20 which he may not have even contemplated some 6 months earlier. Simon who only 3 weeks ago conquered Comrades managed a P.B not a bad backup for a guy who joined NSRG just last year. Sheila who managed her first Ozzie marathon and amazingly her 49th and looked to comfortable and good at the finish was more happy with her cup of Tea that Bob got her straight away, than the fact that she has 1 more to do. To Nigel the man for all seasons and still remaining one of my heroes only 3 days after his 59th birthday and having had a 5 week taper (he ran one 21k, 5 weeks ago due to injury) soldier on to the finish to but himself one step closer to the SPARTAN badge a super effort.

If I missed you out I apologies, but all of you need to write your story, it helps others and makes us all enjoy the memory for as long as we can. I will remember this one for the people who smiled, cried, grimaced, laughed, swore, joked and generally enjoyed themselves. It is a great group of people and many people were asking “What are those NSRG tops for” They are for people who love life and love to run with a group or by themselves well done to all.

Rob F

FIRST TIMERS

20 June 2011 DENNIS TAN wrote :

Hi all,

Well done to all runners and Marathon finishers, especially the first timers. It was so much fun being there cheering you all on.

Here are the photos taken from Perth Marathon: http://picasaweb.google.com/dennistan7/PerthMarathon2011

Rest well and City to Surf is calling Perth Marathon

Regards,

Dennis Tan

20 June 2011 VINCE PERE wrote :

Hi Chris, First of all, congrats to all who participated in the marathon or  the relay  yesterday, great work and excellent effort by all.To all the organizers and wardens, fantastic job.A  Big thanks goes out to all the supporters out there (to many  to name and you know who you are) for the great entertainment and the encouragement you gave me especially around the last 2km mark.It was great to see so many  face’s  from the club cheering you on.

To Chris, Ali and Tory and others behind the scenes, you guy’s run a fantastic club and should be proud with the caliber and experience this club has got.I know I’m always learning from the guy’s and girls.

In a nutshell i had a fantastic day.

Thanks guys,

Vince.

PS-could you pass this on for me Chris.Thanks.

20 June 2011 ANNE HARMSWORTH wrote :

Hallo

Its Monday night and I have stopped feeling  freaked out about my worst marathon in 20 years! After all, I can still move my legs and there are so many people who cant so when one puts it into perspective , I am blessed.

What can I say about the awesome support en route! Everywhere I  looked, swerved, stumbled (Almost thought of doing a Swan Lake dying swan act in the Swan River), there were N.S.R.G. supporters waving slogans.giving coke,  hugs,peptalks,taking photos and delightful young man in a pretty tutu!What more could a girl ask for.

To all of you who participated , a HUGE well done especially the first timers and P.B’ers.

And Nigel , you are as tough as they come!!!!

Love Annie

20 June 2011 BOB and SHEILA WALMSLEY wrote :

Hi Folks,

Bob & I would like to say a big thanks to all who supported us at the marathon yesterday, what a great day.

It has taken me this long to be able to reach the computer as the legs today must belong to Douglas Barder (world ward 2 fighter pilot who had wooden legs)

My marathon was very special to me personally as it was my first marathon in Perth, i completed in 4hrs 36mins. Bob had a great run completing in 3.13mins

We thought our running club in the UK would never be beaten for friendships, fun and generally just being nice people but yesterday i have to say NSRG came top of the list, from Fiona who had her pomp pomes out, Dennis with his too’ too’ & ghetto blaster, Ali & Jackie giving me stick at raffles hotel but the most inspirational of all was Brian “what a man I take my hat off too him”. All the supporters on the course (too many to say)
It was lovely to see everyone running and i think i did see everyone being at the back of the field.

Thanks guys for a great day,

Sheila n Bob

20 June 2011 STEPHEN HELM wrote :

Hi Everyone

I just want to start with saying a great thank you to my wife Jill. Jill would have loved nothing better than to be at the start of the marathon, however injuries prevented Jill to start her first marathon. Jill supported me throughout the last few weeks when there is a lot of doubt within yourself to be fully prepared. I really appreciated the support from Jill.

Well done to everyone who did the marathon and marathon relay yesterday it was a great effort/achievement.

Finally you will never know how much i needed the support from the NSRG support crew and cheer leaders turning up at every turn on the courseThere is a personal thank you to Brian who provided me with the vaseline required ( please refer to Heather’s photograph)to continue running at a crucial stage. Also to Phil and Andy who provided me with the strength to carry on over the last 5 km’s.

We look forward to catching up with all of you soon!!!!

Love Steve and Jill

21 June 2011 EDMUND WALL wrote :

Hi Every One,

I would just like to endorse all of the sentiments being expressed about the marathon. It was absolutely fantastic to have all the NSRC supporters along the course, whether they be cheering, offering a drink (Dave) or taking photos. Everyone has a different way of showing their support. Luis‘s stern look of disapproval when I started walking at 40 kilometers was sufficient to get me running again!

To those runners and supporters I may not have acknowledged- I apologize as I often get lost in my self focus. I was particularly impressed how everyone from NSRG after the marathon went around asking how each other how they went. There seemed to be a very genuine interest in each others achievements. .

I joined NSRC two years ago. I have enjoyed every moment and treasure the friendships I have formed. We have a very special group.

Finally, having just finished my first marathon, and as a relatively novice runner, I would like to thank Bob, Chips, Andy, Luis , Roy , Greg and  all the other experienced runners( they know who they are) for all their advise, tips and words of support over the last two years.

Warm regards to all

Ed Wall

21 june 2011 KEITH DARWIN wrote :

Hi Everyone,

I also just want to start by saying a great big thankyou to the whole gang at NSRG for their fabulous support in making such a great day so much more memorable and enjoyable.

The weather was great, fine, slightly cloudy, no wind, the odd little shower and the sun not too hot. There was a real buzz at the clubrooms leading up to the start, everyone a bit anxious and the cameras coming out for a few group shots.

It was real nice to see those not running, there to wish everyone well, including Lui, Howard, Dennis, Fiona, Heather, Tori, Terry, Lee and the girls, just to name a few (sorry if I don’t mention everyone).

The race started and I was off to a fairly quick pace (for me) and had to try and hold back. It didn’t seem long before I remember Dennis and one of his signs saying there was only 35 km’s to go – great, is that all! Along the way everyone was so friendly from the other runners to all the spectators and marshals and helpers. Thanks Lui and Bob G. I had a run/walk strategy where I would run for about 2.4km’s and then walk for 100m (repeat this 17 times – just a long interval session really). Most of the time is sort of coincided with the water stations so that was good.  It felt a bit unnecessary at the start but I was sure I would be glad of it later. It does help break the race down into little parts and when the going gets tough it’s not that long before you get a ‘rest’ and then you feel revived again and off you go with a bit more pep. And it doesn’t do your head in thinking about all those km’s left just run for about 12- 15 mins at a time – anyone can do that.

By the time I got to 28 km’s I was starting to feel rather tired in the legs and was getting pains in my groin and feet, but 2 thirds of the way there so I kept pushing on. I would see the occasional runner from NSRG up just ahead or behind like Chris and that would spur me on. After a while the quicker runners started coming back from the turn around point like Bob W, Simon, Brucey, Kevin, Ed, Rob F, Vince and it was good seeing everyone again. When I started back I saw another bunch of NSRG runners that were behind me and everyone was encouraging and seemed in good spirits but also probably starting to feel the pain. I remember seeing Heather and Terry and Dennis, Ali and so many others numerous times as they would make their way around the circuit ahead of us and then cheer us on and take photos etc. It was fantastic and I thank you all. Even complete strangers were cheering us on as well as other runners that you would end up alongside for a few k’s.

They recon the race starts at 32 k and I guess in away it does. That’s when it started to get tough and it just gets harder all the way to the finish. But with all the wonderful support you get it makes you find that little bit extra and you don’t want to let everyone down. Terry even made me sprint the last 200m to the finish as she ran along side me for a while.

Thankyou all for helping me achieve my first Marathon, from all the support on the day, to all the encouragement over the last eight or nine months running with the group, Bob’s interval training and all the friendships made. If you have never done a Marathon before but were unsure you could do it, give it a go, you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve. I have been running for just under a year and I never imagined that it was possible for me. I wasn’t that long ago that a 5k race was a big deal. So if I can do it so can you.

Cheers

Keith

21 June 2011 NEPH JANSSEN wrote :

Dear All!

Last Sunday was the culmination of 5 months of training.  It was a steep “training” curve for me but I learned a lot from you, my fellow runners.  Four weeks ago I thought I have to pull out due to an injury. But I made it to the start line with “butterflies” that comes along with all the excitement. I was relieved when Gail, Lynette and Annie turn up alongside me just before gun start.

It was such a glorious day, I couldn’t have asked for anything more. The weather was great; the crowd was exhilarating, great support from hubby and a lot of familiar faces from members from the club.  As I ran the first few kms of the course there is that quiet confidence building up in me knowing that there a good number of people out there like me that will be plodding through their first marathon.

I would like to extend my special thanks to Rob Robartson that kept me company and chatted through the good half of the course that made the time goes faster. I would like to extend my special thanks to him. As I progress through the course, I keep seeing you guys on the sideline, it was fantastic! I couldn’t have done it without you cheering us on –Lee, Sylvia, Nicola, Helen, Sam and many others…of course not to forget Dennis!

They say the last 5kms would be the most difficult and I believe you now!  Many full grown men and women were brought to tears at this point of the run, I did too! They also said that you will be a different person when you completed your first marathon… I think a have mutated from being a weekend warrior!

You all are an inspiration to me!

Thanks heaps!

Neph

21 June 2011 GABRIELLE BURONG wrote :

Chris would you mind passing my message on please

Hi everyone

On the flip side of all the emails going rnd I just wanted to say a big thx to all the runners, for without you participating in the marathon on Sunday I wouldn’t have been able to experience the most amazing day out in a long time.

My intentions of running the marathon this year were thrown out the window due to an Achilles injury 3 mths ago but rather than feeling sad about missing out on the day I decided to get out there and cheer all the runners on.

Never in my wildest dream did I expect to have such a fun, inspiring and emotional day.

On my way to burswood I had a think about my marathon last year and where I struggled and thought if I could help just one person complete there goal then it would be a good day. Soooo after much thought I found myself a nice little possie about 1.5 k from the finish line.

I hid behind a bush just past the causeway bridge  and as the runners approached I jumped out and yelled dah daaah and jumped about like a chook with it’s head cut off. Let me tell you the facial expressions I saw each time I jumped out will remain with me forever and I’m sure there will be a few runners who will be having nightmares from the crazy blonde haired women scaring the gibbies out of them hahahaha!!!!

So to all of you that completed this most amazing race on Sunday congratulations, all your hard training and effort payed off and THANK YOU for helping me deal with not being able to run.

Hope to see you all again soon with the punisher Bob at tues intervals!!

Cheers

Gabi Burong

21 June 2011 LEE HOLLAND wrote :

Hey Chris

I know you have all had plenty of emails so I will try not to waffle but inevitably will – if you could pass on that would be great

Afternoon all

No we didn’t run the marathon, I have only ever run one and haven’t been brave enough to have another go…. yet. I guess I wanted to second Gabi’s comments and give the perspective of someone on the sidelines.

Me and the girls (Tess included) had a really enjoyable day cheering you all along at various stages of the course, we have such admiration for each and every one of you who lined up at the start, I believe all NSRG members that started also crossed the finish line which is just awesome.

Standouts on the day for me, and there were a few – Nigel, 5 weeks off and still managed to finish – that is one tuff individual, Eulalia we saw you struggling with your hammy at 30k you looked very uncomfortable (I am sorry we didn’t have any voltaren!!) we were sure you would be forced to pull up and nearly fell over when we  spotted you come in over that last k well done that was a super human effort. Dave 70 years young and runs a marathon need I say more. Coops 100+ ks two weeks prior and then runs a 3.12 what the!!

To all the first timers well done I am sure you are all still buzzing with the sense of achievement, Sharon I believed cracked the 3.30 which is just awesome for a first attempt, Carolyn I don’t think was too far behind, another amazing effort for your first 42.2,  Ed, well  you looked so composed coming in I wouldn’t  have believed you ran the whole 42 but  we checked your name off at all points during the day so well done. Keith, well mate you were clearly wired at the start line and I knew there was no way you were not going to achieve your goal of a sub 4hr, I don’t think I have ever seen anyone sprint finish a marathon I will remember that for a while.

Well done to all, like I say we had a ball, it’s all we talked about during the drive home and that evening .

Lee Tess Hayley and Bella

21 June 2011 CAROLYN BANFIELD wrote :

Dear Everyone

Congratulations and well done to ALL the runners and supporters in the NSRG! You’re ALL champions!!! What a rare and precious find you are! Words can’t express how much I appreciate you sharing your wisdom, experiences, enthusiasm, friendship and passion for running with me.

Before joining the group in February 2011, I was a lone runner. Now that I have found “the group”, running with you on Tuesdays at Interval training and the odd Saturday morning, is one of the highlights of my week! Thank you, Bob and Chris, in particular, for your time, energy and leadership and for being such an inspiration!

Sunday 19 June was my first ever Marathon (and perhaps my last??????!!) and what an extremely emotional day it was. To be honest, most of the run was a blur, but I do know it was filled with drama…….. Blood (when my blisters exploded at the 30km mark!); sweat (virtually the whole way) and tears (when I eventually crossed the finish line). But what does stand out and was as clear as that rainbow in the sky, was the cheering, clapping, waving, words of encouragement and your big bright smiles!! Thanks Teresa and family, Heather, Louise, Lee, Howard, Ali and sis, Louis and Bob (on official duties) and to everyone else along the way for your support. My sincerest thanks to you all. (I’m sorry I don’t know all your names) Also, let’s not forget those of you sending positive thoughts and wishes from afar! We got them!!!!

What you, the group have given me over the past few months and leading up to the day itself, is priceless. I have nothing but the utmost respect for all of you. Each person brings to the group, “their story”. Your acts of kindness and camaraderie are now etched in memory forever. So, when I’m eventually in my rocking chair (sooner rather than later I’m thinking) reminiscing about my first ever Marathon, you’ll all be there!! Finally, one that I can tick off my “bucket list”.

Lessons I’ve learnt from this experience…”trust your training, only think positive thoughts and believe in yourself”.

Enjoy your recovery, walk tall (if you can!) and celebrate your success!! You should all be so very proud of your achievement, whether it be your first (of many Marathons yet to come!) a PB or the important part you played on the day. You are ALL respected for being YOU, and are an important part of a very special team of winners! Go NSRG!! Remember…. there’ll never be another first Marathon for you!

Looking forward to seeing and running with you all again soon. Take care.

Warmest regards

Carolyn Banfield