Back-to-back and back-to-back-to-back
Narelle Lagergren made it back-to-back women's titles in the 2018 Half on the Hill in fine style, finishing nearly 12 minutes in front of her nearest competitor. This was also a PB for Narelle. In the men's individual event, Aidan Fattore made it a hat-trick of titles and posted his best time on this course.
Young guns Mia Stockwell and Isabella Salmon teamed up in the ladies team event and grinded out a tightly fought win. Sitting in 5th position at the half mark, they showed their class by storming through the field and snatching a 4 second win over their nearest competitors.
In the men's team event, Adrian Baird and Tony Rokov never looked like losing this title. Both runners performed very strongly and deserved their title success.
Sharon Careri and Matt Kenny were the super team of the day, not only winning the mixed team title but also beating every other team (and most individual competitors) easily. Not bad for a team put together less than 36 hours before the event!
Aidan Fattore smashed over a minute from his 2016 result to again reign supreme on the Hill. It could have been more if he didn't have to give way to traffic early in his race, but the result was never in doubt. A tough battle for 2nd was eventually won by Matt Kenny over Adam Johnson, an effort that was even more outstanding given Matt was almost 2 minutes behind Adam at the 11.4km "half way" point.
Narelle Lagergren had a dominant win in the women's half marathon. Karin Penninga and Julie Durbhakula fought hard for 3rd and 4th but it as always going to be Narelle's day.
The new dream team of Morena Chiappin and John Keenan took the prize for fastest team of the day but the popular winners were love-couple Bronwyn & Allan Jones who easily snatched the mixed team title. The women's team title for 2017 went to well deserving Mirella Granata and Janelle Toole.
Aidan & Nicole take the honours
Congratulations to Aidan Fattore and Nicole Restagno who dominated the individual half marathon. They were popular winners with the crowd who gathered to witness their feats but their results were well worth it - a lot of hard work has paid off.
In the team events, super duo of Adam Johnson and Rodney Savage cleaned up in the mens event. "Team Fattore", consisting up super mum & dad Fiona & Simon, at last stood upon the podium in the mixed event, whilst Tammy Mingay & Melissa Sergi has a strong win in the women's catagory.
Johnson & Josling dominate
Adam Johnson and Tracey Josling put in powerful performances to capture their respective titles by 3 minutes from the nearest competitor. Johnson was pushed hard by Aidan Fattore who trailed him by only 11 seconds at the half way point, but after that it was all Johnson. Tracey has etched her name into Half folklore with her 4th win around the hill.
The team events produced some very quick times, with the winners of the Men, Women and Mixed teams posting results that left all other teams wondering what had just happened!
Team Savage Salmon make it 2 in a row
The team event of the 2104 Half on Hill was won by Rodney Savage and Anthony, making it 2 wins on the trot.
Jessie Wythes not only broke the 3 event winning spell of Tracey Josling but she also recorded the fastest womens time ever!
In the mens, Peter Pearson continued his dominant running year and also ensured the only men to ever appear on the winners podium in the history of the event was himself and Adam Johnson.
Tracey Josling etched her name into Half folklore by making it three it a row in the women's event. Can she make it four? Only time will tell.
Adam Johnson claimed his second men's title but was pushed hard by Vince Restagno who is desperate for a Half title.
In the team event, buddies Rodney Savage and Anthony Salmon teamed up for the first time and grabbed line honours in a close finish with young guns Glen Rosato and Michael Johns.
Peter's perfect performance
Peter Pearson wrote his name into the Half record books by posting a very impressive time of 1:18:19 - a new course record. This made it back-to-back titles for Peter.
Tracy Josling also made it back-to-back titles by cruising to first place.
In a small field, Gary Rennie and Jeff Johnson made the team event their own, easily accounting for all other competitors.
The 2011 half marathon women's event was all Tracey Josling's. Her nearest competitor was a massive 18 minutes behind her! It certainly made up for the disappointment of 2010.
In the men's event, new comer Peter Pearson was pushed all the way by out-towner Andrew Creek, but he worked hard in the closing km's to make the event his.
This year saw the the first ever teams event consisting of either 2 or 3 runners each. The trio of Keenan, Gullo and Trefilo ensured their names were list first on the inaugural trophy.
The inaugural Half on the Hill
Only 19 runners participated in the 1st ever Half on the Hill but that did not take away from the nervous anticipation of the competitors nor the atmosphere of the day.
Adam Johnson, the man who along with Janet Mazzarolo organised the event, rightly stood atop the podium.
Teresa Burgess etched her name into the record books in the female half but was pushed all the way by a very determined Tracey Josling.