For years, I’d been chasing that elusive sub-three-hour mark, coming achingly close at the Melbourne Marathon in 2022 with a time of 3 hours and 14 seconds. The near miss fueled my determination to push harder, train smarter, and seize every opportunity to conquer this monumental challenge.

When I found out that there would be a new marathon event held in Ballarat and surrounds, I knew it was my chance to run a fast race. With marathon events in Victoria being a rarity, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to test my body on this new stage.

Arriving in Ballarat with my trusty support crew in tow, I was a bundle of nerves and excitement. Months of rigorous training had brought me to this moment, and I was ready to leave it all on the course. Despite slightly lower weekly mileage in the weeks leading up to the event, I had prioritised quality over quantity, ensuring each training session was purposeful and focused. I was able to work in double the amount of long runs over 25 km that I had completed in previous training blocks, one of the shortcomings of my previous training. I was confident that I could deliver.

The day before the race was spent familiarising myself with the course, soaking in the pre-race atmosphere, and mentally preparing for the challenge ahead. I collected my race bib from the Ballarat Mining Exchange check in area and wandered over to the start line where there were already events underway. Watching the elite 5K women’s race only served to heighten my anticipation and fuel my determination to give it my all on race day. I was ready.

An early start beckoned on race day morning, but the 8 am kickoff provided a little bit more relief from the usual 7 am marathon starts. After completing my pre-race rituals and connecting with my running partner, Jack, we embarked on a brief warm-up jog to shake off any lingering nerves and get our legs primed for the task ahead. As we warmed up on the Ballarat main street, the atmosphere was electric. Runners prepared looking fit, fresh and ready for the challenge ahead. The starting line began to fill.

Standing shoulder to shoulder with fellow runners in the starting corral, the air was charged with anticipation and excitement. There were pacing groups arranged for both the half marathon and marathon events, carrying large yellow flags to indicate the timing they were targeting. 

We were ready.

With the blast of a gun, clearly nicked from the Sovereign Hill costume department, we were off!

The first kilometre of the race ran up Sturt Street, the main street in Ballarat. With an elevation gain of 18m, we tried not to head off too quickly. At kilometre 3, the runners had thinned out and the Heart Rate had settled. We were able to concentrate on hitting the 4:08 min/km (6:39 min/mi) pace that we intended for Lap 1. The course was a two lap race with the half marathoners peeling off after Lap 1. 

I threw my gloves to Mum and Dad who were cheering me on at the corner of Pleasant Street and Sturt Street as it had been a chilly morning. I would highly recommend this location to spectators. Staying in this location throughout the entirety of the race would result in being able to see your runner 6 times (2 laps x (heading West on Sturt st, entering Lake Wendouree and exiting Lake Wendouree)). The Ballarat Marathon was probably the best spectator Marathon event that I have attended. 

As we entered Victoria Park along the made roads, I was running strongly. I had warmed up and was able to continue to hit the desired race pace. I had been looking to target a 1:27 Half Marathon for the first one and then try to hold on for the second. At one stage, I was curious to see if I would be capable of a Sub 2:55 however as I would soon discover, this was out of reach. We exited the park via a very marginal rise and back onto the main road toward the out and back section. The elite runners raced passed looking strong.

There was some wind around so we did our best to stay in packs and minimise the impact. I was not running with a pacing group as there was not one that suited my desired race pace. 2:50 was a little fast with the 3:00 group… well I was just hoping for slightly quicker.

We entered the Lake Wendouree loop on Wendouree Parade. I originally thought that the course might take us on the Steve Moneghetti track, a compacted gravel path, but it did not. The course was on roads for the entirety allowing for a clean, mostly even running surface.

The wind had started to pick up and Jack was struggling. We turned back onto Sturt Street and headed back to the starting line. The good news that this was slightly downhill which we both appreciated. At the halfway point, Jack peeled off as the Gastro illness and fatigue that had plagued him earlier in the week caught up with him. He was able to finish the race in the end but not in the desired time. It’s a tough beast the Marathon. 

I turned back up Sturt Street and through the halfway point, longing for the time that I would return again to finish. I was fatigued. 

I ran past Mum and Dad again signalling I wasn’t moving as well and was tired. They encouraged me and I was able to keep it up. Throughout this section (the park, out and back sections) I was isolated. I was unable to match the same pace as others and was in no man’s land so unable to work as a group. The wind was picking up. Up until this point, I had been able to maintain a sub 3 hour pace however on the exit from the park and the out and back sections I was averaging 4:17 min/km (6:54 min/mi) pace which would not get me to the end in a sub 3 hour time. I had to push. 

I returned again to the Lake Wendouree turnoff point knowing that this would be the toughest section. On the first lap, the first 3 km of the lake had been the hardest as there had been a decent head wind. The wind had only picked up since then. As I was about to begin this section, 4 other runners were moving steadily past me. I knew that if I could stay with them, I would probably run under 3 hours for the marathon. If I couldn’t stay with them, I’d be isolated and probably achieve a time greater than 3 hours again! I couldn’t let this happen. I worked hard to stay with them.

The next 3 kilometres were tough as we worked together to run towards our goal. I didn’t do much (or any) of the front running, unable to give the others a break. All I could do was stay in touch. I had nothing left. 

The group left me as we exited the Lake Wendouree loop and I was confident as I turned onto Sturt Street for the final time.

CRAMP! In my right thigh. I had to stop for 20 sec in the 40th kilometre. Oh no. I was so close and I was going to fail due to not consuming enough salt and electrolytes. This would be my undoing.

Amazingly it came good and I sent up a quick prayer to make sure there would be no more cramping for the rest of the race! I was cutting it fine.

I ran down Sturt Street to the cheering crowd. I couldn’t give it any more. I was close but did I have time? Was I going to cramp again? Could I make it?

I turned the corner and saw the finish line. A brutal final 300 metres remaining and I would be done. 

Finished! My other leg cramped as I crossed the finished line but I had made it. 

In a time of 2:58:55, I was now a Sub 3 Hour Marathon runner! A goal that I had been working towards for a few years now. I had done it.

After a celebratory burger at Grill’d, Mum and Dad drove me home and talked through what had gone on. I was extremely happy for how I had run and for my achievement.

The Ballarat Marathon had been an extremely well run event. You would not have known that it had been the first year it had run. I have no doubt that it will become a premier running event in Victoria, second only perhaps to the Melbourne Marathon. I’ll be back again.

Tips:

• Utilise the pacing groups but as always, be aware that they may not quite run much under the designated time. The pacing groups were (HM: 1:30, 1:40, 1:50, 2:00, 2:10, 2:20 & 2:30 Marathon: 2:30, 2:45, 2:50, 3:00, 3:10, 3:20, 3:30, 3:40, 3:50, 4:00, 4:20, 4:40, 5:00, 5:30 & 6:00)
• If you can’t get into a pacing group, try and work with others particularly if it’s windy.
• Utilise the drop bag service located in the Mining Exchange building. 
• It can get very cold in Ballarat. Dress for the weather and practise the race day kit.
• Stay overnight near the event if you can. But if you can’t, with a later start (8am) it’s very doable with a day trip from Melbourne.
• Drive the course the day before to get a better understanding of the terrain, key checkpoints and aid station locations (and toilets!).
• Be aware of the elevation gain in the first km, halfway point and in the last 300m. 
• Spectators head to the corner of Pleasant Street and Sturt Street. Once runners enter the Lake Wendouree loop for the 1st time (half marathon) or 2nd time (marathoners) head to the finish line in your car to watch the finish. That’s the best way to experience it. 

Stats

Distance: 42.2 km 

Elapsed Time: 2:58:55

Pace: 4:13 mins/km (6:47 mins/mi) pace

Nutrition/Hydration: Maurten Gels, Water and Gatorade Drink mix.

Gear: Ciele Cap, Goodr Sunglasses, Nike Aeroswift Singlet, Patagonia Strider Pro Shorts, Garmin Fenix 6X, Stance Socks, Nike Vaporfly 3 Carbon Shoes, Decathlon gloves.

Finished: Position 156 out of 1019

Strava: Check it out Here