NORTH Parramatta runner Tim Cochrane took out the ninth Fitzroy Falls Fire Trail Marathon on Saturday in difficult conditions that meant no records were set.
A change in the 42-kilometre course and increasing heat ensured records became a secondary priority. Cochrane’s time of three hours, four minutes and 42 seconds was more than 15 minutes slower than last year’s winning time.
2005 champion Jonathon Blake closely followed Cochrane to ensure a tight finish. Blake secured second place with a time of three hours, four minutes and 58 seconds, while Belfield-based Brendan Davies crossed for third with three hours, seven minutes and 37 seconds.
It was the first time Sydney Striders runner Cochrane had run the Fitzroy Falls Marathon.
“My plan was to run around three hours and 15 minutes, and then take it easy,” he said.
“I didn’t taper through the race, so I wasn’t expecting too much more.”
Cochrane said the race was ideal preparation for upcoming races.
“I’ve got a 24-hour race in Korea in a few weeks, and then Joe [Jonathon Blake] and I are doing a 100km race in Italy on November 8. So this is good practise.”
The marathon also brought good results for semi-serious runners like Brendan Davies (third) and Kate Hodson (sixth). ACT-based Hodson was the closest to a record as her time of three hours, 24 minutes and 52 seconds was the second fastest ever in the ladies’ category.
For the full story see the Southern Highland News, Monday, September 29
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