More than 7000 runners took to the streets of Noosa for the sold-out ASICS Runaway Noosa Marathon on Saturday.
There were 5km, 10km, half marathon and marathon events on a flat and fast course, with the start and finish line just steps away from Hastings Street.
Andrew Dey took victory in the men’s marathon in 2hr31min10sec, almost four minutes clear of Craig Davis, with Dean Edmonds third.
“There was really good support, the whole way up and down,” Dey said of the crowd.
“It was nice to have the laps: you get a lot of repeat cheering.
“I had the family out there cheering as well.”
The women’s marathon title was claimed by Imy Briscoe, who crossed the line in 2hr51min53, with Brooke Williams second and Olivia Beck rounding out the podium.
“Last year I ran a marathon and got cramp in the last seven km, so I was keen to pace it well and I think I got quicker as the race went on,” she said.
“It was an amazing atmosphere.
“I was worried mentally about the multi-lap that it would be hard but every time you did a lap there were huge crowd cheers.
““I don’t think I’ve won a race ever, well since I was a child, so to win my first race as an adult is an amazing feeling.”
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The men’s half marathon was won by Noosa runner Alex Harvey, while Ella McCartney was victorious in the women’s half marathon.
Josh Shanahan won with men’s 10km, with Loretta Melcer winning the women’s 10km, while Brayden Everett and Mia Caple took out the men’s and women’s 5km respectively.
It was a record field for the fifth edition of the ASICS Runaway Noosa Marathon, which is one of three events in the Runaway Marathon Series. The event was supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland.
Meanwhile, more than 900 swimmers took to the waters off Noosa Main Beach on Sunday morning for Swim Noosa.
They took park in 500m, 1km, 2km or 3.8km swims.
Olympics-bound Chelsea Gubecka won the women’s 3.8km and 2km swims.
She is a regular in the waters off Noosa Main Beach.
“I think I was seven or eight years old and remember having to sign a waiver to do a 2km swim,” she said.
“I’ve been coming back here since then. I’m 25 now, I feel like a bit of a veteran, I absolutely love Noosa and my partner, and I will get married here next year, I’m really looking forward to that.”
The men’s 3.8km and 2km events also had a repeat winner, with Kilian Carrel first back onto the beach in both races.
Connor McClennan and Jackie Ellul won the men’s and women’s 1km respectively, with Darcy Higgins winning the men’s 500m and Caitlyn McClennan the women’s 500m.
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