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Where: Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne. This is a 3.827 km running track parallel to the perimeter fence of the Botanic Gardens. It is officially termed The Tan Track as it has a surface of tan coloured stone aggregate. It is more commonly and affectionately known as The Tan.
The Tan originally served as a horse track for Melbourne's well-heeled, and is now one of Melbourne's most frequented locations for joggers. Locals, visitors and famous alike now share the space as its international reputation has grown. The Tan is often used in training by professional athletes, such as footballers, particularly during pre-season time-trials. Running greats such as Hicham El Guerrouj, Steve Ovett, Cathy Freeman, and Sonia O'Sullivan have all rubbed shoulders with the general public on The Tan.
The quickest lap of the Tan has been held by such notable Australian runners as Robert de Castella and Steve Moneghetti (10:41, 2003). The current record is 10 minutes and 12 seconds, run by Craig Mottram in 2004. On the 21st of December, 2006, Craig Mottram unofficially broke his personal best time around the tan, running a scorching 10 minutes and 8 seconds while running with the Richmond Football Club during their pre-season training. He gave the footballers a two-and-a-half minute head start and still managed to beat them comprehensively.
The Tan is used by athletes, office workers, students and even politicians.
Status: measured by Melbourne City Council, IAU bronze label.
When: next race 14 August 2011
No. of finishers (both categories): 2008 - 33; 2009 - 26; 2010 - 53; 2011 - 58
How long in existence: since 2008
Winners last 5 years:
| 100km |
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| Year |
male |
time |
female |
time |
| 2008 |
Jason Dunn |
8:51:26 |
no female starters |
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| 2009 |
Jason Dunn |
8:25:56 |
Jessica Robson |
10:27:47 |
| 2010 |
Barry Loveday |
7:14:45 |
Elizabeth Bennett |
9:47:30 |
| 2011 |
Magnus Michelsson |
7:24:00 |
Serena Wooldridge |
9:43:06 |
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| 53.5 km |
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| 2008 |
Lachlan Fraser |
4:21:18 |
Anna Papij |
6:06:50 |
| 2009 |
Barry Loveday |
3:46:15 |
Kate Sanderson |
5:37:04 |
| 2010 |
Ryan Rosello |
4:24:03 |
Nikki Wynd |
4:34:32 |
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| 50.0 km |
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| 2011 |
David Staehr |
3:18:34 |
Nikki Wynd |
4:03:59 |
Race records:
100km - Male - Barry Loveday, 2010, 7:14:45; Female - Serena Wooldridge, 2011, 9:43:06
53.5 km course (until 2010) - Male - Barry Loveday, 2009, 3:46:15; Female - Nikki Wynd, 2010, 4:34:32
50km course (after 2010) - Male - David Staehr, 2011, 3:18:34; Female - Nikki Wynd, 2011, 4:03:59
From 2011, both events were standardised (to 100km and 50km) by running short out-and-back distances at the start of each event.
Race Director: Brett Saxon tel 0418 557 052 email
Course map
Race brochure 2011
Event info and online entry
Results 2008
Results 2009
Results 2010
Results 2011
Race report 2008
Race report 2009
Pics 2008 (courtesy Sharon Scholz)
Pics 2009 (courtesy Brett Saxon)
Pics 2010 (courtesy Brett Saxon)
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