Competitors had perfect conditions for race 19 of the season – the AJL Yamaha and Lifestyle half-marathon.
Light drizzle fell for most of the event and there was no wind, meaning runners could record good times and many personal bests were clocked up.
The course takes competitors from West Ulverstone to Turners Beach and return and is mostly flat, which is also conducive to fast running.
After looking the winner in so many races this year but not breaking through, finally Karina Mason was able to breast the tape for her third victory and first for five years. Coincidentally, her previous win was also in the half-marathon, albeit on a slightly different course.
On paper the race had looked like it would go to one of the backmarkers. Mason didn’t let this concern her, however, and after taking the lead from the very front marker, Dale Lancaster, with about seven kilometres covered, led for the remainder of the event.
Backmarkers did well though, with Hayden Bishop, Ben Brockman, Bryan Tuit, Evan Brett and Brad Taylor filling five of the next eight placings.
Middle markers to perform strongly included race favourite Ellen Elphinstone and Nick Young who were sixth and seventh respectively.
Unfortunately for Rick Ferguson, he went slightly off course in a momentary lapse of concentration and disqualified himself by deciding not to run through the finish. This incident probably cost him third placing.
The nominated time winners were Emma Aichberger, Will van Rooyen, Sarah Lakeland and Hannah Elphinstone.
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