Marython was arunaway success

By Kath Gannaway
MORE than 3000 people took part in the inaugural Marysville marathon on Sunday.
For many, it was their first visit to the bushfire-ravaged town.
The marathon was the major drawcard for a festival aimed at drawing people back to the town and raise funds for the local CFA, SES and Kingbilli Wildlife Rescue.
Chief organiser Lachlan Fraser, a marathon runner and local GP, said the event was a great success.
About 2000 people had signed on before the event but on the day the registration tables were swamped as another 1000 arrived.
“It was somewhat overwhelming,” Dr Fraser said, . “really wonderful to see that response.”
One hundred serious marathon runners took part in the 42km run, including competitors from Alaska, England and Canada.
Dr Fraser said the response from experienced runners was excellent.
“They noted it was a tough course with the heat and some of the rises,” he said.
“Also, almost a third was on gravel roads, with limited vegetation. The response was excellent, people were very impressed.”
The 10km and the 3km events were also well supported with some high-profile “strollers” in the latter, including State Governor David de Kretser his wife Jan, Premier John Brumby, Victorian Bushfires Recovery and Reconstruction Authority chairwoman Christine Nixon, Seymour MP Ben Hardman and Murrindindi mayor Lyn Gunter.
The festival included a market and entertainment after the awards presentation.
Dr Fraser said the event raised more than $20,000 for the CFA, SES and Kingbilli and it was planned to be an annual event.
He said it had been a learning experience from an organisational perspective, but that the feedback was positive.
One of the initial problems, he said, was getting approval for the Buxton/Marysville Road closure, which took eight months and stalled the process.
“We had scheduled it for the end of September and had to put it off then because of other marathon events and Melbourne Cup Weekend.
“Late September next year would be ideal,” Dr Fraser said.
“This is just the first year. People know the town needs support for the next few years and will want to come back to see how the town is going,” he said.
“I think it has potential to grow and be a great fundraiser for whatever project we look at.”