Big fields, impressive times highlights of Run Albany

More than 400 competitors took part in the second Run Albany event, held around the city on Saturday and Sunday.

There were safety issues after the course was tampered with — marking and arrows were moved causing competitors to get lost.

Saturday’s warm weather added to the ultra-marathon’s challenge but 50 competitors still battled trying conditions to finish the 50km race from Mutton Bird to Middleton Beach.

Justin Scarvaci took out the race in a time of 3hr.10min.38sec. ahead of Yannick Guitard and Matt McGuire while Amira Macbeth was the first female in a time of 5:27.48.

Saturdays night’s race drew more than 100 runners, taking part in the 7km run up Mt Melville.

Jamal Banvait and Claudia Seke were the first male and female across the line in times of 36:19 and 40:03 respectively. The three peaks race was split up on Sunday with Ken Willis defeating Bill Irving in the men’s one-peak race while Sophee Gregory was the first female to cross the line.

Rachel Bresanello finished in 1:23.25 to beat Corrie Forgus and Kelly Barker in the two peaks race. Matt Hutton finished just over a minute ahead of Matthew Crook in the two-peaks run while Iain Tordoff was in third.

Scarvaci backed up his win in the ultra marathon the day before by taking out the 21km half marathon in an impressive time of 1:32.26, Gerald Lechner and James Pagani were in second and third respectively.

Jessica Smith was 20 minutes ahead of Katelyn Smith and Saturday night’s race winner Seke.