tan ultra ~100 km

 

Where: Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne. This is a 3.8 km running track parallel to the perimeter fence of the Botanic Gardens. 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 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.

The Tan ultra has the potential to capture the interest of sports-mad Melburnians.

Status: measured by Melbourne City Council, IAU bronze label.

When: next race 14 August 2011 (please recheck nearer the event)

No. of finishers (both categories): 2008 - 33; 2009 - 26; 2010 - 53

How long in existence: since 2008

Winners last 5 years:

100km        
Year male time female time
2008 Jason Dunn 8:51:26 no female starters  
2009 Jason Dunn 8:25:56 Jessica Robson 10:27:47
2010 Barry Loveday 7:14:45 Elizabeth Bennett 9:47:30
         
53.5 km        
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

Race records:
100km - Male - Barry Loveday, 2010, 7:14:45; Female - Elizabeth Bennett, 2010, 9:47:30
53.5 km - Male - Barry Loveday, 2009, 3:46:15; Female - Nikki Wynd, 2010, 4:34:32

Race Director: Nick Thompson Telephone 03 9889 7463 or 0400 332 155 email

Course map

Race info pack 2010

Enter online 2010
Entry form 2010

Results 2008
Results 2009
Results 2010

Race report 2008
Race report 2009

Pics 2008 (courtesy Sharon Scholz)
Pics 2009 (courtesy Brett Saxon)
Pics 2010 (courtesy Brett Saxon)