TCS Sydney Marathon

What a weekend! The first time Sydney Marathon becomes a world major. For someone that has attended other majors, Sydney brought their A game. Yes, the crowd not as amazing as some of the other majors that have been going for more than fifty years but so glad that so many of the local community got around it. Because when you’re in the hurt locker or doubting your choices, it’s the crowd that gets behind you and helps to bring you home. So Sydney, a big thank you for a great weekend!

The weekend made so special sharing it with some of Running Evolution Athletes.

Margaret Roe would have to be the athlete that has grown so much in the last twelve months. An inspiration for all those athletes that decided to get into running later in life. Her growth and improvement has been so amazing to watch - so proud to be a part of her journey. She was one of the ten thousand runners that ran in the Sydney Mini Marathon on Saturday (5km) with one of her daughters, Elle. The event had such a great atmosphere finishing down hill and then into Circular Quay with the amazing view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.

Elle Jarman, Margaret Roe and I after the Sydney Mini Marathon

Kelly Rosas, she has an amazing story. Did a great 5km on Saturday. Backed it up with her 3rd marathon on Sunday, but her first with only one kidney. I was able to share the excitment of the starting area with her and then watched her speed off into the distance. Smashed those hills and ran a comfortable sub four hour marathon. Congratulations Kelly, such an amazing effort and so inspiring to many out there. Your ability to bounce back has been incredible.

Kelly Rosas and I after the marathon

Yasmin Jarman, signed up for the ballot not having ever run a marathon before. Early this year she was one of the lucky ones that got a spot. Her perseverance, the strive to improve herself and dedication has been next to nothing and that paid off yesterday. Yasmin is now a marathoner! Coming in just over five hours. What an experience, shared with over thirty-five thousand runners and a memory that will never be forgotten. Made even more special having her family along the course cheering her on!

Yasmin Jarman and I

Last but not least - Jennifer Newman. This little legend like Yasmin, signed up for the ballot. However, Jennifer, had never run a half marathon before the ballot let along a marathon. I have no doubt that she had the ability but she would say the training was hard. There were many ups and downs but this is the beauty of what makes the event so special. I can guarantee that no one experiences perfect training leading up to a marathon. Everyone will have at least one bad training run where things did not go to plan. It’s the sweat and tears that got us there that makes running a marathon an amazing experience both physically and emotionally. Even though Jen had doubts along the way I knew that she could do it. It was made so special having her brother there to support her yesterday. What a stellar year, becoming a half marathoner and now a Marathoner! big congratulations Jen!

Jennifer Newman

Congratulations to everyone who took to the start line yesterday. I come away from the weekend as a proud coach. It didn’t matter what outcome could have happened yesterday - would still have been proud. Each one that ran should know that your push through training and stellar performances are so inspiring to many in your support crew and wider audience. As Rob de Castella would say, it’s the ripple effect, that person at home who thought that they could never do anything like that have watched your journey and inspired them to also dream. This is what I love about running and the community. Everyone gets around one another no matter what you look like or how fast you are. People sometimes need to be shown that the average person can also do incredible things.