Allston’s marathon record in danger

LOCAL favourite Hanny Allston’s Cadbury Marathon record could be in trouble tomorrow with the entry of British athlete Jo Zakrzewski.

With her ultrarunning background, including coming fifth in the 100km world championships, Zakrzewski has a personal best seven minutes inside Allston’s 2006 course record of 2 hours 46 minutes 27 seconds. With NSW duo Etienne BlumsteinJones and Gemma Jenkins also in the field, an assault on Allston’s record could be on.

The men’s marathon field is shaping up to be one of the deepest in recent memory, featuring a host of interstate runners chasing the course record of 2:23.39 set by Scott McTaggart in 2010.

Melbourne trio Dane Verwey, Dion Finocchiaro and Toby Rayner all aim to run under the 2:25 mark and Ethiopian-born Melburnian resident Samuel Gebremichael has the fastest lifetime best in the field but has raced sparingly of late.

Rio Olympic finalist Madeline Hills (nee Heiner) opens her 2018 race campaign in the Cadbury 10km event.

Hills was seventh in the 3000m steeplechase final and 10th in the 5000m final in Rio.

“After a few frustrating months of injury I’m working towards being ready for a chance to compete in the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games,” Hills said.

The half-marathon men’s field is looking legitimately quick. Course record holder Liam Adams returns, while defending champion Nick Earl is back from the UK, along with former marathon winner Dave Criniti. Brady Threlfall, Zac Newman and Hugh Williams are other mainland challengers, with David Thomas the top-ranked local.