Tasmanian Running Festival looking to expand

Fresh from 1620 competitors contesting two, five and 10-kilometre races through the city on Sunday, organisers are looking to widen the 12-year-old event’s horizons.

Race director and former elite runner Wayne Larden said discussions have already taken place about introducing a half-marathon to the program with the additional carrot of making it the Australian title.

Larden said Launceston’s flat and fast course along the East Tamar Highway would be a major selling point.

“If we had a half-marathon we will be hoping to have that as the Australian championships,” he said.

“That will bring all the good runners down because all the elites want an Australian title and that will put the event on the map.

“We may even try and get a couple of international runners here to get a fast time on the board then Australian runners will see it’s quick and want to run in Launceston.

“If we keep the course flat and fast like the 10km, we will see big numbers. Elites in particular want to run personal bests because they may be training for big events and use this as a lead-up.

“I’ve already spoken to your mayor and the general feedback is that it’s do-able and will be good for tourism in the city.”

A former Australian representative in world cross-country championships, Larden is chief executive of a Sydney-based company that stages mass participation running events and was organising the Tasmanian Running Festival for the second year.

Larden said there was much to like about the Launceston 10, which has been running since 2007 and annually attracts top-quality fields including a succession of Olympians.

“I see a sound future here because this event offers a unique experience.

“The landscape, geography, nature and town are all beautiful. The Sydney Running Festival crosses the Harbour Bridge, Melbourne’s finishes at the MCG and Launnie is a city that people know about so if you put a great event on people will come.

“It’s fast and has good prize money – the prize pool is very good compared to other events.”

Victorian winners Jack Rayner and Sinead Diver both picked up $2000 winner’s cheques as they established new course records on Sunday.

Larden said interstate numbers were up 10 per cent this year which had been one of organisers’ main objectives.

“If we do add a half-marathon next year that would bring in a lot more interstate runners because we find people are more likely to travel for a half, that’s usually the biggest event.

“We think we will get some movement across from the 10km to the half but your base entrant is still the local person and you have to do a lot more training for a half.”

He did not see a half-marathon as a threat to the festival’s blue ribbon 10km run.

”There will always be a place for the 10km because a lot of people don’t train that much but can handle a 10.”