TWO of the most unlikely competitors took out the 2015 Outback to the Stack half-marathon feature race in emphatic fashion.
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Perth-based couple Josh Stephens and Marie Sorrell claimed victory in the male and female open class half marathons respectively last Sunday.
Stephens recorded a personal best of 01:23:50, ahead of local Isa Rats Running and Triathlon clubman Mark Thinee, followed by Clinton Elliot in third place.
Stephens’ other half, Sorrell, clinched the female title by more than 10 minutes over Isa Rats members Nichole Knepprath (2nd) and Amanda Gowing (3rd).
Almost 200 participants over four events turned up at the starting line on a blistering, cool winter’s day near Lake Moondarra for this year’s edition.
Stephens and Sorrell, who are both Kiwis, are currently on a six-month adventure around the nation, making their way to a variety of running events.
After notching his fastest time to date, Stephens was surprised with his result, considering a constant obstacle during the race.
“There was a huge wind,” Stephens said.
“You really started feeling it once you got into town, but it wasn’t so bad in the early stages with the rolling hills.”
Sorrell, who recently get a professional triathlete license, said more of the same, but also enjoyed the 21-kilometre route.
“It’s a beautiful course,” Sorrell said.
“You come over the hills and the sunrise is there over the mines.”
The two 31 year olds leave yesterday for Yeppoon’s Olympic distance triathlon event next weekend, then on to Port Douglas for the half ironman.
The Outback to the Stack held the official closing ceremony of the Great Western Games, at Tony White Oval, with North Queensland Sports Foundation chief executive Andrew Bligh, heaping plenty of praise on this year’s spectacle.
“The event continues to grow,” Bligh said.
“The reversal of the sports people from the West, having to go to the coast to compete is slowly changing.
“The quality of events is now equal, if not better, in some aspects of the Games on the coast.”
The North West Star will have full results and more action pictures of this year’s Outback to the Stack in tomorrow’s edition.
■ 2015 Outback To The Stack Half Marathon
Open men’s half marathon - 1st Josh Stephens, 01:23:50; 2nd Mark Thinee, 01:27:52; 3rd Clinton Elliot, 01:29:36.
Open women’s half marathon - 1st Marie Sorrell, 01:37:04; 2nd Nichole Knepprath, 01:47:40; 3rd Amanda Gowing, 01:50:21.
Masters men’s - 1st Adam Chapman, 01:36:42; 2nd Michael Palmer, 01:39:36; 3rd Karl Nicolosi, 01:42:02.
Masters women’s - 1st Liz Kennedy, 02:30:00; 2nd Michele White, 02:32:19; 3rd Rosina Oliver, 02:39:02.