40th Half Marathon and 9th 10km Community Fun Run on Sunday 15th March 2026
Half Marathon
The 40th running of this iconic Canberra running event was conducted on 15th March in perfect weather conditions, cool in the morning, no wind, and warmed only after the presentations were completed. It is an undulating and challenging course, all run on bike paths, with no road crossovers, thus it is a safe and extremely scenic course with views over Lake Burley Griffin for most of it. As we arrived at sunrise, one could see several hot air balloons overhead, as part of the Canberra Balloon Festival.
The number of runners who registered for both events were the highest ever with 317 solo runners in the Half Marathon, plus 2 relay teams, and 117 runners/walkers in the 10 km community fun run. However, many did not collect their e-timing bib, and they missed a very good run. We had 251 finishers in the Half M, while both relay teams finished, and 99 finished in the community fun run. This was the largest number of finishers over the past 10 years.
The finish line was moved this year to allow finishers to be welcomed and congratulated from the medal presentation area and meant only a short walk to where the feast was spread out – hot cross buns, wrapped chocolates, water and other drinks, and a slice or two of watermelon.
To mark this special 40th anniversary, past winners were invited and ten accepted: Jordan Cowley (2025), Julia Murphy (2024, 2025), Daniel Carson (2022), Sarah King (2023), Michael Daly (2023),), Shannon Jones (2010), Fleur Flannery (2016, 2013), Daniel Green (2001), Paul Tilse (2018) and Keri Vaughan (2004).
We also minted a commemorative finishers medal, which was much admired by all.
Electronic timing is used for the event, which allowed the results to be uploaded on to one’s phone through a QR app immediately after the race again this year. Thank you to Martin Fryer for developing the start list and QR code and for timing the events. Thank you to Michael Corlis and Rohan Lowry for assisting him. Thank you to our sponsors, Nick Walshe of The Runners Shop, where bib collection on Thursday to Saturday made the morning of the race less hectic as many of the bibs had already been issued, and Fleur Balmain from Positive Motion Rehabilitation who allowed Lizzy and Caitlan to provide massages after the events.
We provided engraved Canberra Redbacks medals for the second and third runners in the half marathon and for the each of the 10-year age group winners for both events. The male and female winners of the half marathon got to hold the perpetual trophy for a little while for a photo opportunity and then it was off to Trophy Link to have their names engraved on it. They each received an engraved ‘keepsake’ trophy. There are some very famous names engraved on those male and female perpetual trophies.
There were lots of lucky draw prizes to go around, ranging from bottles of wine, sports socks, and Runners Shop gift vouchers.
I must thank all the Weston Creek athletes and their family members who helped on the day and made sure this event was run smoothly and participants had an enjoyable experience. I particularly thank Philo Saunders for coordinating the volunteers, marking the course, buying the provisions and being the announcer. Thank you to Ken Eynon OAM who arranged to lend us some essential equipment from the Canberra Runners and who controlled traffic at the entrance of Black Mountain Peninsula to ensure our runners were kept safe when running up Garry Owen Drive. Ken is a Life Member of the Club and was the initial Race Organiser and did this for many years. Thank you also to ACT Masters Athletics for the loan of their equipment from their gear trailer. Lastly, Thank you to Transport Canberra and City Services for approving the event in a timely fashion.
Feedback from the runners was that the water stations were in exactly the right place and functioned efficiently and the event was well organised and very community friendly.
I look forward to seeing many of you at the 2027 event on Sunday 21st March.
Full results and photos are available on the website www.westoncreekathletcs.org.au
Overall Results
Males Females
1st Place Charlie Doherty 1.10.34 Shelley Cooke 1.28.52
2nd Place Daniel Carson 1.12.09 Lisa Krakowiak 1.28.59
3rd Place Jordan Cowley 1.12.53 Michelle Bray 1.33.33
Age Group Results
M <20 Douglas Shuttleworth 1.21.21 F<20 Grace Hereford 2.12.17
M 40-49 Michael Daly 1.14.06 F 40-49 Shelley Cooke 1.28.52
M 50-59 David Sitsky 1.21.43 F 50-59 Karen Collard 1.44.44
M60-69 Collin Acton 1.33.04 F60-69 Sue Bowden 1.58.08
M 70-79 David Webster 1.45.12 F 70-79 Virginia Sharples 2.10.27
Relay Team Results
Team 2 Lil-Em Emma Funnell and Lili Mooney 1.31.24
10 Km Community Fun Run
A 10Km Community Fun Run event was introduced in 2018 to extend those who only frequent Park Runs.
Males Females
1 Jayden Lyttle 33.17 1 Alexandria Spencer 41.50
2 Moss Thompson 36.23 2 Keren Nicholsen 43.00
3 Patrick Goodarzi 37.19 3 Tania Russell 45.10
Age Group Results
Males
M <20 Adrian Robbins 51.50 F<20 Darcy Byrne 53.19
M 40-49 Kirk McKenzie 41.23 F 40-49 Keren Nicholsen 43.00
M 50-59 David Melhuish 44.12 F 50-59 Karen Kemp 59.02
M 60-69 Peter Daly 65.02 F 60-69 Mia Horrigan 64.39
M70-79 Paul McKeich 47.53 F70-79 Jennifer Kellett 49.17
F80 plus Caroline Campbell 86.09
Prologue
The Committee will meet on 1 April to discuss how the event may be further improved and I would welcome input from the participants by emailing me at Robbie.costmeyer@bigpond.com
Robbie Costmeyer
Race Organiser