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5KM ROAD
RACE
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| Story by TransWeb Volunteer Reporter
Bob Fox |
| On a hot, sunny, and windy day the XI World
Transplant Games 3K and 5K road races were run beginning at the Parramatta
City Centre, winding through and ending in the beautiful rolling hills
of Parramatta Park. One hundred twenty two runners, 33 women and 89 men,
began the race during the hottest part of the day (29 degrees C) -- great
for spectating, yet very difficult for the runners. |
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| The overall winner of the women's 3K race was Kerrin Litchfield of
Australia, 16:13.02, followed closely by Noreen Perryman from the Republic
of South Africa with a time of 16:27.08, and Suzanne Maclean of Canada
with a time of 16:42.0. The men's 5K overall winner was Sixten Finnholm
(Finland) with a time of 19:42.8, followed by Peter McGouran (Great Britain)
19:45.7, with the third place finisher being John Murray (Great Britain)20:20.3. |
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| The course was indeed tough with a long uphill from the start to the
1K mark for both the men's and women's races. Both races finished with
a 150m sloping downhill. In between there were several climbs and descents.
The women's race had a .5K climb to the final downhill while the men's
race was uphill from the 4K mark to the final 150m and the finish.
With the hills and heat, the water stations and supportive volunteers were
very much appreciated by the runners. |
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| In describing the race and the course, John Murray, Great Britain,
and overall third place finisher indicated that "the hills were tough...the
heat was a factor. The course was lovely, well marshalled, and accurate.
We had run the course for several days in training sessions and thought
that it was a 'piece of cake'. Race day conditions made the course a little
tougher." Murray, a kidney recipient, began running after his transplant
17 years ago and is now competing in his sixth World Games. "It's
nice seeing everyone at the games but the competition is getting tougher
and earning a medal is not easy. It gets harder every year, especially
in the seniors division." John Murray wished to pass on his philosophy
that "one should never give up hope. You only have one chance and
you have to make the best of it." Murray will also be participating
in the 800m, 1500m and 4x400m. |
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| The overall men's first place finisher, Sixten Finnholm of Pedersore,
Finland (second place at the 4K mark) reiterated the comments made by Murray
regarding the hills, heat, and wind (gusts up to 40 kmph). Finnholm
(kidney transplant 19 years ago) is competing in his eighth World Games,
has competed in the Winter World Games as a cross county skier and will
be competing in the high jump, 400m and 800m races Saturday and Sunday.
He has enjoyed his visit in Sydney and hopes to see everyone in Tilburg. |
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| Congratulations to all who competed and finished the 3K and 5K races
at the XI World Transplant Games in Sydney, Australia. |
| Venue: Parramatta Central
Business District |
| The Parramatta CBD will attract large crowds of interested spectators
for the 5 km Road Race and Cycling. Both events are to be held in the centre
of the city. |
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| Rules: |
| Format: Women will be eligible to compete in the 3 km race, men in
the 5 km race.
The Road Race will be held the afternoon of Friday, October 3rd. There
will be a scheduled break from Swimming to accommodate those swimmers who
wish to compete. |
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| Date: |
| October 3 |
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