"Unleashing the Power: Triumphs and PBs at the 2023 Mackay Marina Run"

21.1km Run

The 2023 Mackay Marina Run witnessed an exhilarating display of determination and personal triumphs as runners conquered the iconic 21.1km course. The atmosphere was charged with excitement as participants geared up for an unforgettable race day.

In a stunning show of speed and endurance, Luke burst out of the starting gate like a rocket, claiming the Frank Marchetti Honours. He then pulled it back and maintained a steady pace, crossing the finish line with an impressive time of 1:28:54. At just 16 years old, Luke's debut half marathon performance secured him 10th place overall and 2nd in the U20 category, leaving a trail of inspiration behind him.

Jane delivered a remarkable performance, crossing the finish line at 1:41:23, securing 6th place overall and claiming the top spot in the 40-49 age group. Close on her heels was Kelly, finishing strong at 1:42:21, earning 8th place overall and a well-deserved 2nd position in the 40-49 category. Keith and Kelly, known for consistently pushing each other during Tuesday night track sessions, displayed their synchronicity, with Keith finishing just ahead at 1:42:18.

Muzza, in preparation for his first full Ironman in two weeks, tested his limits with the 21.1km distance, recording a solid time of 1:51:50. Vicki demonstrated incredible progress, completing the course in 1:55:57, a staggering 10 minutes faster than her previous performance on the same route in 2019. Alix and Bec showcased their determination, finishing at 1:57:37 and 1:58:26 respectively, with each stride bringing them closer to their goals.

The incredible bond between family members shone bright as Dee crossed the finish line with her Dad at 2:05:56. Deano blazed through the course, setting a new personal best of 2:04:20, a testament to his hard worksince the 2022 Mackay Marina Run and gearing up for the Cairns 70.3 in 2 weeks.

Linda displayed strength and determination, delivering a stellar performance at 2:08:35, followed by Sacha showcasing her endurance with a great finish time of 22:10:32. Chrissy intensified her training for the end of year Busso IM, finishing at 2:18:20.

Returning to training after a health scare, Lucy showed unwavering resilience, crossing the finish line at 2:31:37, accompanied by Nellie, both embracing the joy of participation. The race was further enriched by the presence of past and present Tribe members, including Rhi Rhi, Erica, Reyna, Nicole and Dave all achieving personal milestones and celebrating their love for running.

8km Run

In the 8km Run, J-Rod exploded onto the course with incredible speed and determination. He secured 3rd place overall in the Open category. Ella had a great run, finishing 4th overall female and 1st in the U20 category. She even recorded a personal best for the 5km distance during the race. Paul, who will be competing in his first 70.3 in Cairns in two weeks, took 3rd place in the 30-39 age group and is smashing his previous times.

The 50-59 women's category had a strong field, with Mini taking 1st place, closely followed by Louise in 2nd place and Katie in 4th place. Kerryn, who competed in the 40-49 age group, had a smile on her face throughout the entire race and finished 4th in her category.

 In the Men's 40-49 age group, Crispian had a strong run and finished 6th, with Adam not far behind in 9th place overall. Faith, participating in the 8km race, performed well and secured 4th place in the U20 category. Jenny, who agreed to run with her sister Jeanette, had a friendly rivalry and beat her by 1 minute.

It was great to see many participants taking part in the event, including Neva, Bee Bee, Vicky, and Phoebe.

5km Run

The 5km race witnessed impressive performances from Caleb, Ella, and Paul, as they achieved remarkable personal bests. The best performance goes to Andrew, who 6 months ago was rolled in a surf accident and broke his back! Andrew was never expected to fully walk again, however in true determination he did and gradually returned to running. Andrew’s mate Robbie ran with him on the day! Super proud of you Andrew for running the 5km and motivating Robbie to train again!

Special recognition goes to the Macrossan & Amiet team, who dedicated six weeks of training to prepare for this race. Congratulations to Nelson for surpassing his own record and securing a personal best, and a big shout-out to Sebby for crossing the finish line ahead of everyone else! Great to see Helen, Johnny, Cameron, Sam, Finn and many more out there hitting their goals on the day!

The 2023 Mackay Marina Run was a testament to the power of determination, as runners pushed their limits, celebrated personal victories, and left an indelible mark on the course.