Australian marathon record holder Brett Robinson will return to Tasmania this weekend for the richest 10km road race in Australia, the Spectran Group 10km.
The 32 year old will be in search of a fourth Think Big Run The Bridge title to go with the $8000 prize purse.
Last time he raced in 2022, it wasn’t until the final stride where he caught stable mate Rose Davies to notch his third victory at the states largest fun run.
“I’m looking forward to racing the Think Big Run the Bridge again this year. Last time I raced it was a very exciting finish with Rose,” Robinson said.
Since that day, Robinson finally eclipsed Rob de Castella’s Australian marathon record, clocking 2:07:31 in Japan 14 months ago. The record adding to his national ½ marathon claim.
He’ll once again be giving the elite women’s field a 3minute 53second headstart, on the 10km journey from Blundstone Arena to PW1 in Salamanca. There’s some class in the leading women’s field including the African U’20 3000m record holder Aynadis Mebratu of Ethiopia.
“Giving the girls a head start you feel like you’re never going to catch them but it gives you something to keep focused on in the closing stages of the race,” Robinson said.
Fresh off a ½ marathon race in Marugame, Japan on February 4, Robinson admitted that Olympic years were special. Should he be victorious on Sunday in Salamanca, he will join fellow dual Olympian Liam Adams with 4 titles at the event.
“Hopefully I can win again this year for the 4th time and will set me up nicely as I start to gear up for Paris Olympics,” Robinson declared.
The Melbourne based runner is expected to be nominated to the Australian Olympic Committee for his third successive Olympics. He ran the 5000m at the Rio 2016 Games and the marathon in Tokyo.
His next step will be in Hobart on Sunday, where he battles a strong international line up.
The Spectran Group 10km is the richest 10km road race in Australia. The elite women receive a 3minute 53 second headstart on the men, which is the difference between the course records. Prizemoney is paid as athletes cross the line, irrespective of gender;
1st - $8000
2nd -$4000
3rd - $2000
4th - $1000
5th - $800
6th - $400
7th - $200
8th - $100
9th - $100
10th - $100
Entries are open until Saturday 17th February.
The Medibank Healthy Lifestyle Expo will also run at PW1 from 10am – 3pm Saturday with free entry to all.
