There was no shortage of cheerful moments at Shepparton Running Festival.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
As laces were tied, bibs were pinned into place and final carbs were loaded, Shepparton Running Festival’s return was embraced by all to see.
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Across last weekend, a number of different running events took place in Shepparton as the casual jogger to hardcore marathoner took part in the annual festival.
Saturday afternoon was filled with families participating in the two kilometre run, which followed the opening five kilometre event.
But those committed to the arduous long distance affairs arrived bright and early on Sunday morning to begin their trek to the finish line, with a 10 kilometre run, half-marathon and full 42.2 kilometre marathon set to take place.
In a near sell out number of participants, 1600 entrants laced up a pair of sneakers across the mid-August weekend.
It was a record high figure, nearly doubling the number set four years ago when the festival returned from a hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Race director Matthew Morris spoke proudly about the impact the event had on the community.
“It was a super positive vibe,” Morris said.
“At the brewery it was great, hotels and restaurants across the place were booked out on the Friday.
“It was really good for the area and community.”
As for the results, it was William Rocks who placed first in the marathon with a time of 2:30:21, while Hayley Waterson crossed the line first in the women’s section with a sub-three hour time of 2:55:23.
Nathan Stoate won the men’s group in the half marathon with a time of 1:08:20, while Alicia Kane won the women’s by just 30 seconds in a tight finish between three competitors, recording a time of 1:28:38.
News photographer Megan Fisher was at the finish line to capture the elation down the home stretch.
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