The 2017 fixture of the annual Mudgee Running Festival was reportedly a bumper field, with a great turnout for the mid-morning Fun Run.
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Before the packed Fun Run kicked off for runners and walkers alike however, the day began in the shadow of night, when the morning was still in single digits, with the marathon and half-marathon runners setting out to claim the top spot.
In the end, there were 33 male and 8 female entrants for the marathon.
The fastest marathon runner on the day was Darren Purcell (2:47:20), who entered in the 40-49 age bracket, and defended the top spot from 2016.
Next best was Marc Rawlings who recorded a 2:56:38 event time, while Andrew Reeve was third with 2:57:01.
Mudgee’s first marathoner over the line was Michael Bourke in 3:24:47, second was Guy Atkinson in 3:27:11 and third Mudgee runner was Adam Kastelein in 3:33:52.
In the women’s category, there was an interesting battle between last year’s top finisher, Ursula Wilson, and former Mudgee resident Sally Ceeney.
Although Wilson recorded the top time for her bracket (40-49) with 3:34:09, it was Ceeney that took to the top spot.
Ceeney, who represented in the 30-39 age category, had a final marathon time of 3:29:45, which was also the 13th fastest time of the marathon.
Registrations were at record levels in the half marathon - 217 runners registered, an increase of 156.
Race director, Rowan Rowlands, said it was a real buzz seeing supporters milling around Lawson Park.
Wes Gibson topped the half-marathon with 1:21:04, while Shannon Chapman was the best of the women with a time of 1:25:31.
Harrison Doley, a runner in the 12-15 age bracket, was the fastest of the Fun Run athletes, taking just 20:44 to finish.
Finally, in the 10km event, Sam Collins was the first back to the finish line with a time of 37:06, while Elise Baker’s 41:36 was the fastest of the women in the run.