50th anniversary for Geoff Watt memorial run

The 50th anniversary Geoff Watt Memorial Fun Run was held at the Geoff Watt Track on October 23.

Almost 250 competitors took part in the event including the half marathon, men's and women's 10km and 5km run, a 2.5km run or walk, and a one-lap dash.

Traralgon Harriers runners took out the men's and women's sections of the Geoff Watt memorial half marathon, with Peter Cutler winning the men's section in a time of 1:24:02 and Emilie Cutler winning the women's in 1:35:27.

Winners of the past 50 years of the Geoff Watt Memorial Half Marathon were invited to appear on stage for a presentation to celebrate the special anniversary.

It was a festival atmosphere for the 50th anniversary with live music, food, wine and activities.

Geoff Watt died at age 37 of exposure on a solo training run on Mount Erica in September 1969.

The Geoff Watt Memorial Run began the following year as a community event in Warragul.

His memory has been enshrined with the running of the event and with the naming of the local athletic venue after him.

His daughter, Olympic and Commonwealth gold medallist cyclist continues to run the memorial fun run each year.

After two virtual events due to COVID lockdowns, this year marked the 50th anniversary of the memorial run – it is Gippsland's longest running 'fun run' event.

Results:

Women's Geoff Watt memorial half marathon - 13 participants

Emilie Cutler 1:35:27, Lauren Isles +11:01, Trish Yates +13:21, Kylie Irshad +27:29, Carly Korab +29:44

Men's Geoff Watt memorial half marathon 38 participants

Peter Cutler 1:24:02, Daniel Pratt +3:49, Ian Cornthwaite +4:55, Ben Patrick +8:59, Craig McGarrity +9:22

Women's 10km run - 30 participants, average speed of winner 17.11km/hour

Vanessa Wilson 35:04, Taylah Worth +7.09, Ruth Hodge +9.05, Tammy Brace, +12:58, Stacey Adams +13:01

Men's 10km run - 33 participants, average speed of winner 16.10km/hour

Tommy Wyatt 37:16, Michael Eury +31, Marcos Solly +1:00, Tristan Marslen +1:31, John Mecklenburgh +2:26

Women's 5km run - 37 participants, average speed of winner 15.29km/hour

Sarah Lewis 19:37, Courtney Rosato +49, Grace Graafsma +1:26, Ruth Hodge +3:03, Ebony Loveland +3:27

Men's 5km run - 33 participants, average speed of winner 15:46km/hour

Bill Barry 19:24, Josh Lee +2:29, Sidney Boc +2:36, Phil Botes +3:40, Dilraj Dilraj +4:04

2.5km run - 56 participants; average speed of winner 16.33km/hour

Angus Dunsmuir 9:11, Fraser Aubrey +18, Lewis Aubrey +1:29, Sapphire Pratt +1:33, Charlie Pratt +1:35

300 metre girls - four participants

Elsa Box 2:34, Lucy Graham, Libby, Eleanor Verbeek

300 metre boys - four participants

Sidney Box 2:34, Alby Harrison, Louie Harrison, Henry Verbeek

Photographs by AMANDA EMARY. Emilie Cutler, who was the first woman to finish the half marathon, alongside brother Peter Cutler, the first man to finish the half marathon.

Sarah Lewis crosses the finish line to be the first female to complete the 5k.

Kathleen Wheller and her daughter Kathy Watt wearing her father’s travelling cap.

The race begins at the starting line of the Geoff Watt half marathon.

First place male in the 5k event Bill Barry.

Some of the competitors in the 300m event (back) Cody Elant, Lachlan Berthelsen and Wade Pascoe (front) Jack Hentchel, Malachy Browne and Isiah Abrahams.

Terry O’Neill last Sunday, competing in the 10k event 50 years after entering the event’s first iteration.

Terry O’Neill competing in 1972, the year of the first Geoff Watt Memorial Fun Run.

Finishing as the first and second place junior competitors in the 5k were Josh Lee and Sidney Box.

Father Moss Page and son Enzo are all smiles as they complete the 2.5k.

There’s plenty of pink as Olivia Nankervis finishes the 2.5k.

Pirate Jake Marriott didn’t need a ship as he ran the 2.5