Community show love to Geelong Half Marathon

THE Geelong Half Marathon has returned to the Barwon River in style, with more than 800 competitors coming together to help raise funds for the club and its charitable partner the Andrew Love Cancer Centre.

Held last Sunday, the popular Geelong Cross Country Club-hosted event returned for its 34th edition, with competitors taking on both the 21km and 5km courses in trying conditions.

Regardless of the wet weather and cold weather, Geelong Cross Country Club president Kevin McNulty said the vibes were incredibly high for the annual event.

 

 

“To have 800-plus competitors turn up on what was a wet weekend was a fantastic result… we had a significant rise in attendance compared to last year.

“The rise in attendance will certainly help not only help us from a charitable point of view, but also allow us to cover our costs, which is terrific.”

 

 

Both 21km and 5km courses started beside the Moorabool Street bridge and journeyed upstream next to the Barwon River and then back to the start line following a criterium loop track.

As one of Geelong’s last community club-organised running events, Mr McNulty said he was proud that athletes, volunteers and sponsors had continued their support of the event, even after the greulling pandemic.

 

 

 

“It continues to be our biggest public event of the year and a great way that we can support the community who continue to support us.

“From a charity point of view, the event has helped to raise over $70,000 for the Andrew Love Cancer Centre… it’s an important cause for our club and we’ve had several members use their services.

“Last year, we raised $10,500 for them, and with our rise in attendance, we expect that donation to be higher in 2023.”

Coming out on top in the 21km race was Dane Verway (male winner) with a time of 1:11:48 and Danni Rogan (female winner) with a time of 1:22:13. The 5km was won by James Cruse (male winner) and Amy Fawcett (female winner).

For more information and results, head to gccc.au