The Centennial Park Ultra is a ultra marathon held at Centennial Park in Sydney. It is located about 5k from the CBD and is one of the most popular places to run in the city. You can often spot elite runners training here. The terrain is cross country and there are multiple running routes around the park but the most popular is the 3.57k loop around the park.
The Centennial Park Ultra comprised of 50k and 100k races both in solo or relay format. The 50k includes completing 14 laps around the park and 28 laps for the 100k. I participated in the 50k solo. This was my second consecutive race weekend and I wasn't sure if I was up to it physically since I hadn't recovered well from completing two marathons in a month and now a 50k.
This was another race on my list as running 14 laps was going to be a challenge both physically and mentally. I wanted to test and push myself to see if I was up to the challenge. Personally I enjoy races such as these as there is no time pressure. I set myself an achievable target of 4:30 which is about 5:25 pace. I finished in 4:34 and I was happy with the time as I stopped a few times at the aid stations.

Another great plus about doing an ultra is the aid stations. It was well stocked with tons of food. Fruits, cakes, chocolates, muesli bars, and plenty more. I hate taking energy gels as they don't suit me well but eating a piece of orange at the end of each lap kept me going and I never felt the fatigue set in as in marathons. Maybe it was due to running relaxed, enjoying the race and not worrying about the time.
For some running laps can be mind boggling but you have to break it down into sections and maybe listen to music to take your mind of it. I broke the course into seven sets of two laps and that made it easier to run the race. Plus I had my music to take my mind of just running lap after lap.
The race support kept the runners motivated too. I had a few friends at the race who spurred me on at the end of each lap. One of my friends also ran the last lap with me which was amazing.
Overall, I will definitely run this race again and I would like to run it feeling fresh and not run it after running a marathon a week before. Maybe I might consider attempting the 100k next year. I will recommend it to runners thinking of running an Ultra. This format of a race is much better than running a road race ultra as it is fully supported and you don't need your own support crew or carry your own gear. Leave all your gear at the start/finish area and as you complete each lap grab some food and carry on running. You will last longer in races with this format and it is more fun running past the start/finish being cheered on and high fiving the spectators.

Every July thousands of runners convene in sunny Gold Coast for the Gold Coast Marathon. It is a two day running festival taking place during the first weekend in July. On Saturday, there are the 10k, 5.7k and 2.5k kids dash events. The main races, the half and full marathon take place on Sunday.

I was back again in 2015 to run in my 8th marathon. I also participated in the 5.7k run on Saturday. It was initially meant to be an easy run but ended up getting absorbed by the atmosphere and going all out. I finished in third place for my age group which was amazing. But I was afraid I might have over done it and might regret it the next day during the marathon. Fortunately it didn't have any impact on my marathon performance.

Being a Gold Label race, the Gold Coast Marathon is renown for providing runners with an exceptional race experience.

Expo: The Expo was held at the Convention Centre at Broadbeach over three days. The quality of the expo was excellent with the standard exhibitors from the various sports companies. Bib pickup was quick and easy. All runners received a small duffel bag with their race pack.

Race transport: The marathon started at 7.20 am in the morning from Southport beach which is about 6km from the main tourist spots of Surfers Paradise. Race transport to the start was fantastic. Several options were available to runners, either buses or trams.

Race route: The marathon route is probably one of the fastest marathon course in Australia with little or no elevation. It's approximately an out and back course. There is fantastic race support throughout the entire race route. Supporters were out cheering on the runners. The route passes the start/finish point which is approximately the 32k mark and runners get a mental boost from the cheers of supporters to push them throughout the last 10k.

Aid stations: The race is supported well with aid station every two km with either water or sports drinks. Unfortunately, gels were provided at only one aid station on the 30k mark.

Finish: All runners received an awesome finisher's medal and T-shirt.

My experience: This was my 8th marathon and my 2nd Gold Coast Marathon. I completed the race in 3:39 last year and I not only wanted to improve my time but I wanted to run a sub 3:30 which is a goal that eluded me for more than a year. I definitely felt that it was achievable this year as I felt strong and ready. I started the race fast running at a pace of 4:35/km for the first 3k. I felt comfortable at that pace but decided to slow it down to 4:45/km and managed to run at that consistent pace for 30k. I was running with a fellow Sydney Striders running club member and we paced the race well. However, I could not hold the pace after the 30k as I started to feel fatigued and slowed to about 5:00/km. I was still on pace to finish under 3:30 but tried my best not to slow down any further. The weather was getting warm and it made the running conditions tougher. I managed to push through and achieved my goal. I finished in 3:27 which is an amazing feeling.

Overall: The Gold Coast Marathon is one of the best races in Australia. It is in a great location, sunny and warm even in winter. It is an holiday destination which makes it ideal to include a short holiday after the marathon. I will be back again next year.

The M7 marathon was on my marathon to do list in Australia. Why? It is the only marathon that runs adjacent to a high speed motorway for the whole marathon. The marathon route runs along the shared cycleway that follows a section of the M7 motorway in western Sydney. It is not an exciting route. It is quiet and there is minimal fan support but for a runner this is a challenging course. It is not flat and the terrain is undulating for most of the route. Plus together with the cold and wind, you have an added challenge. I don't like the cold and running in cold conditions especially along this route where there is nothing else to focus on is tough. There were probably about less than 150 runners in the marathon which could be a good thing if you do not like crowded races.

The race is well organised with a number of other distance events on the same day ranging from the 4k, 10k and 1/2 marathon. The other events were well supported by the running community. In the marathon, the Sydney Striders provided the pacing for 3:30 pace groups on wards. Aid stations were well spaced along the course but due to the other races following the similar route to the marathon, some of the aid station ran out of cups and marathon runners had to use various means to scoop water from the tubs. It was not a huge drawback but perhaps something the organisers could improve on next year. At least they didn't run out of water!

I completed the Gold Coast Marathon three weeks prior and I was not expecting to run hard or aim for a specific time. But the competitor in me decided to aim for at least 3:40. I was pacing with a mate who is much fitter than me and we were running at 4:50 pace. I knew that was fast for me especially since I ran my fastest marathon (3:27) at the Gold Coast marathon. But I felt good and decided to keep at it as long as possible. Fatigue set in after 34k but still managed to keep to pace close to 5min pace and finished in 3:31 which was brilliant. Any marathon finish time under 3:45 is a plus and any time close to 3:30 is amazing. I was totally drained after this race but definitely loved running this event. It was challenging both mentally and physically. Another marathon ticked off the list.
Overall, I would not recommend this race for first time marathon runners. When the pain hits you need to support of spectators to spur you on and with the lack of race support a first timer might find it tough once the pain and fatigue hits. For seasoned runner, I will definitely recommend this race as it is challenging. Marathon runners are a different breed and the challenge isn't just about the distance, it also includes the various elements of the route that push them past their limits.

The SMH Half Marathon was on 17 May 2015 and is the first major race on the Sydney's racing calendar. It is well represented with runners of all abilities from first timers having a go at the distance and experienced runners trying to beat their best at this challenging course.

This was my fifth successive SMH half marathon and the race never seems to get easier. The race route is challenging with several undulating hills and just when you think you are done and almost at the finish you are faced with a short climb which tests your physical and mental grit. I finished the race in 1:39 which was two minutes slower than my best time at the event.

Thumbs up:
Early start: The race has an early start of 6.45 am start which is great. You can be done with the race and be having breakfast or brunch. The weather on Sunday contributed to ideal racing conditions, cold (about 15 C/59F at race start). It was a tad bit cold for me and I wished I wore my gloves during the race. I had cold fingers throughout which was uncomfortable.

Relay option: The race includes a relay option where teams of two complete a 7k and 14k relay section. Great option for runners not quite to running a half marathon or runners who just want to have a go at something different.

Great race setup and organisation: The race is organised by Fairfax which organises several of the major races in Australia. The race start/finish is in central Sydney with easy access by public transport. Bag drop was quick and easy. Hydration points were available at the start stocked with both water and sports drinks.

Race route: The route circumnavigates the Sydney CBD taking runners through some of the major sights such as Circular Quay, Pyrmont, Rocks, Darling harbour and Domain. The race certainly isn't flat and includes a number of short, sharp hills. The fastest section of the route is approximately the first 2km which includes several downhill sections. My goal was to run a fast early section to include some buffer for the hilly sections.

Medal: All runners received a finisher's medal. The medal is impressive which highlights the Sydney City's skyline (attached photo)

Areas for improvement:

Sports drinks: Hydralyte was the sports drinks provided during the race. Personally I felt the organisers dropped the ball on the selection of sports drinks for the event. The drink was too salty to be consumed during a run. It seemed a more appropriate choice for a post race hydration drink. Fortunately it was a cold day so I managed to rely only on water for hydration during the race.

Race T shirt: There was no finisher's T shirt for the event. Runners could buy an event T-shirt at the expo. A number of races internationally include finisher's T-shirts as standard even for non marathon races. Sydney is a city with a number of prominent racing events attracting runners from all over Australia and internationally. I hope this practice catches on in Sydney soon.

Overall, it is a great race in preparation for the upcoming racing season in Australia. It has some awesome sights and views along the route with some good hills to test your fitness. Definitely will be back again next year.

Parkrun is a free 5k timed running event held every Saturday all year round. It is aimed at runners/walkers of all abilities and ages. There is no time limit and everyone is invited to participate. Parkrun is a running movement that had started in the UK in 2005 and has spread all around the world. Here in Australia, there are a number of parkrun events all over the country. I am a regular runner at Parramatta parkrun in Western Sydney and I am also one of the Run Directors at the event. The event started out with about 40 runners in 2013 and has grown to an average of about 180 runners each weekend. Times are recorded for all participants and they are able to view their performance for all the parkruns they have participated. PBs are recorded and runners are able to keep track of their PBs.

All runners must firstly register for the event prior to participating. You will be given a bar code which is unique to you and you will be able to use it at any parkrun event worldwide. The way it works at parkrun is, at the finish you are given a finish token which signifies your finish placing. Your bar code and token are scanned and after the event the Run Director uploads the results and all runners will receive an email with their official finish time and placing.

At Parramatta parkrun, the course is a 2.5k out and back route. It is mostly flat with some undulating sections. These are not tough but can be challenging. The lead up to the finish is along a short 150 m run on grassed surface which is slightly on an incline. This is the section that catches most runners by surprise as it looks flat but you really feel it especially for a 5k where you are running at almost maximum pace.

Parkrun is organised completely by volunteers and runners are encouraged to volunteer on a regular basis. There are no aid stations but there is a coffee van at the run and a post run coffee is a must. Overall, Parramatta parkrun or any parkrun is a great way to start out your Saturday. A quick 5k run plus coffee, what could be a better way to start off the weekend!