COMBINE Ali Fitch and her competitive nature together and you end up with an overall winning result at this year’s Forster Running Festival.
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The 45-year-old former professional triathlete was the fastest female to complete the three-pronged event that included a 21.1 kilometre marathon, 10-kilometre and then five-kilometre runs.
With a background in long-course triathlons, Fitch was always a chance of a strong performance in the marathon.
The ability to back it up with another 10-kilometre and then five-kilometre effort was just as impressive.
“I like to push myself because I like to get the most out of myself,” Fitch said.
“I did it for a challenge and it was a little bit different.”
Fitch completed the lung-busting 36-kilometre distance in an impressive two hours and 47 minutes.
“It was interesting because you always wonder how do you pace it,” she said.
“I had no idea what the runners were like, but I’m still competitive in my more mature years.”
Check out Scott Calvin’s mega gallery from the Forster Running Festival.
Along with husband Stuart and four-and-a-half year-old daughter Leilani, they recently arrived in Port Macquarie from Darwin, after a circuitous trip over 12 months.
It took them to Nambour, Forster, Tuncurry and Canberra before they finally landed in Port Macquarie.
Celebrated distance runner Vlad Shatrov showed a quick pair of heels at this year’s Forster Running Festival.
The Newcastle product took out the half marathon in 1:14:25; about five and a half minutes ahead of Ben Toomey.
With the impressive time and consistent efforts in the five and 10 kilometre runs, Vlad won the treble bridge buster.
World Cross Country Championships representative Bridey Delaney was the first female over the line in the half marathon in 1:20:43.
Kyle Pinkerton edged out Port Macquarie’s Harry Jones to win the 10 kilometre run.
The first female to finish the event was Alyssa Betts.
Forster’s Jake Myors was the first male to cross for the five kilometre while Lucie Francis showed blistering place to take out the women’s division.
Race director Kevin Chilvers was thrilled with the turnout.
“It was a stunning day for spectators but a touch warm for runners,” he said.
“We had similar numbers to last year but saw an increase in children competitors.”
Kevin noted a strong turnout of competitors from Newcastle and Port Macquarie.
Competitors ran on a different course layout that utilised more of the foreshore.
“The changes were well received by runners,” he said.
He encouraged runners to commit to training plans early enough to ensure maximum performance at next year’s event.
A date for next year’s festival has not been confirmed but initial plans for its return are underway.
In the meantime, Chilvers is looking ahead to the Port Macquarie Running Festival on March 9 and 10, 2019.
“We’ve moved the kids events and charity walk to the Saturday so we can see more locals and schools show support,” Kevin said.