Elleker races test the records

The Albany Athletics Club will be hoping for more records to be smashed at the 24th running of the annual Elleker Half Marathon and 10km road race this Sunday.

After a record 260 competitors took to the streets of the township last year, the club was yesterday confident a new participation record could be smashed.

As of yesterday, 211 participants had registered the popular event which includes the half-marathon, 10km road race, 10km walk and the 2km kids dash.

Runners will take on a slightly new course this year with the start and finish being moved on to the oval away from Hassell Street and the half- marathon runners to take a 800m leg down Mutton Bird Road.

Last year Albany teenager Kyle Kowalski surprised himself to become the first local winner of the Elleker Half Marathon in more than a decade.

Three records were smashed last year including the 15-year women’s half-marathon record by Nedlands runner Katherine Stockwell.

The records also tumbled in the 10km road race, with winners Jack Dunn and Angie Ross both rewriting the history books.

Albany Athletics Club member and organiser Dan Smith said indications were the entry number record set last year could be bettered on Sunday.

“I reckon we will go very close,” he said. “We have got to keep making it better and get the out-of-towners back each year.

“It’s a really good race.”

Smith said the club had also begun planning for a new race to fill the void left by the cancellation of the City to Surf.

Register online at www.albany athletics.com.au.