A race for the record books

IT was as a day of records in the 41st City to Casino in Hobart yesterday wh when a bumper 4714 competitors turned out for Australia’s second-oldest fun run. The record roll-up made it the biggest event t of its type in Tasmania and smashed last year’s record by more than 1000 people. As the huge field made its way down the Brooker Highway from the showgrounds in Glenorchy, above, Madeleine Bird, of Battery Point, inset, was there to cheer the runners on at the Queens Domain.

A RECORD roll-up of 4714 people for the 41st City to Casino in Hobart yesterday made it the biggest fun run Tasmania has ever seen.

The bumper f i eld caught officials by surprise, and broke last year’s entry record of 3640 by more than 1000 people.

It eclipsed the 2008 Burnie 10 state record of 4210.

That had event director Haydyn Nielsen both delighted and daring to dream of breaking the magic 5000 mark.

‘‘Years and years ago I dreamed of reaching 5000, but never thought it would happen,’’ Nielsen said.

‘‘But now I certainly think it’s possible.

‘‘This is the biggest fun run field ever assembled in Tasmania, so you’ve got to be proud of that.’’

It was a perfect day for the 2.7km, 7km and 11km events, all starting at 9am from Salamanca, Cornelian Bay and Glenorchy respectively.

More of them were female, with 2681 women and girls, compared with 2031 men and boys.

Organisers had 5000 participation medals to give out at the finish line, but they ran out of race certificates, which they promised to post out.

They also ran out of fruit, but none of that seemed to matter.

‘‘We were absolutely overwhelmed,’’ Nielsen said.

‘‘Per capita, this has been an enormous event for Hobart, and so many people doing some form of exercise like that, it’s just incredible.

‘‘To have that many . . . It was something quite unique.’’

They came in all shapes and sizes, from pint-sized kids in the 2.7km event for primary schoolers and accompanying parents, to elite runners, some in their pyjamas and one SpongeBob SquarePants cartoon character.

Hobart runner Grant Page won the men’s 11km race a record eighth time, and Launceston’s Kate Pedley took out the women’s 11km in a course record time.