Climate scientist Nick Earl leapt through the finish line tape with a punch to the air and a strong lead from the next competitor to take home the men's title in the Canberra Marathon at the Australian Running Festival on Sunday.
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It was Dr Earl's first attempt at the 42 kilometre Canberra Marathon, and he ran it in 2:20:25, five minutes faster than the 2018 winner.
Women's marathon winner Stephanie Auston, from Merimbula, NSW, ran home in 02:43:33, which was a huge 15 minutes faster than the 2018 winner's time.
"It was tough but fast," Ms Auston said of the race at the finish line, and praised the course for always giving her someone to chase. Dr Earl had his own message, for the city's federal politicians: "Stop burning coal you bastards."
More than 4500 runners hit the road in Canberra for the half-marathon, marathon and ultra marathon events held in the sunshine on Sunday. Hundreds of people and pets lined up to watch and cheer on the 7155 competitors from across Australia this weekend.
Second place in the men's marathon went to Matthew Cox from Chester Hill, NSW. He finished in 02:24:41, while Joshua Torley from Dalton, NSW, came in third in 02:26:29.
Rachel Glasson from Lake Albert, NSW, was in second place in the women's marathon in 02:56:24 and Melissa Selby from Hunters Hill, NSW, was third with a time of 03:01:58.
Southport, Queensland's Zoe Hawkins took home the prize in women's ultra marathon event, coming in with a time of 03:55:23 and followed by Lilian Molesworth from Birrong, NSW, in 04:00:15 and Corrina Black from Mermaid Beach, QLD in 04:03:16.
Ballarat's Ash Watson, who celebrated his 30th birthday on Saturday, won the men's ultra marathon championship event in 02:59:40.
Beating the three-hour mark was Mr Watson's goal for the 50 kilometre race; it was also the first time a winner had broken three hours since 2015.
Happy with his result, Mr Watson said it was the last 10 kilometres that proved the most difficult.
Second place in the men's ultra marathon went to Lachlan Oakes from Cherrybrook, NSW, who finished in 03:06:39, and Brendan Davies from Woodford, NSW came in third with a time of 03:08:28.
Liam Adams from Moonee Ponds in Victoria won in the men's half-marathon event in 01:06:03. Canberra's Bryce Anderson finished in 01:06:08, while third place went to Guy Walters from Blacksmiths, NSW, who finished in 01:07:20 to round out the men's half-marathon winners.
The first woman to cross the finish line in the 21 kilometre event was Milly Clark from Launceston in Tasmania, with a time of 01:15:36.
Henrietta Lawrence from Melbourne finished second in 01:17:22 and Katie Gamble came in third with a finish time of 01:18:32.
Children of all ages competed in the brand new Kids Dash. More than 270 kids aged between one to 11 lined up to hit the road for the one kilometre course.
Local Thea Reinhardt got the win in the girl's event, while Joel Solomon from Manly, NSW, claimed the boys' title
The Australian Running Festival event has raised more than $185,000 for charity.
