Reef runner ready to take on marathon heroes
WITH the Great Barrier Reef Marathon attracting bigger fields of competitors every year, Far North local runners are eager to show the visitors how it’s done on home turf.
Cairns marathon runner Nick Carling has been running in the GBR Marathon since it began in 2011 and has had a hand in developing the 21 kilometre half-marathon course over the years.
This year, he will compete against Commonwealth Games marathon gold medal- list Michael Shelley and eighttime Run for the Reef Ambassador Steve Moneghetti in the half-marathon.
“Steve is an icon of the sport. He’s in his late 50s and still making great times,” he said.
“Plus, there’s going to be some great local guys who always put in the work.”
Mr Carling has been training hard maintaining his fitness for the half-marathon, which he last won in 2015.
“Over the last couple of months, I’ve been running half marathons around Cairns, looking to find my weaknesses and use those as stepping stones,” he said.
“I’ve had a fairly consistent training schedule. You never know who might rock up.” To register for the marathon, which is on October 28, visit www.greatbarrierreefmarathon.com.au