Entries now open for the Westlink M7 Cities Marathon
Thursday, May 15, 2008
42.195 kilometres Liverpool to Blacktown - Sunday, July 27, 2008
It's time for serious athletes in Western Sydney to gear up for the 2008 'Westlink M7 Cities Marathon' on Sunday, July 27, 2008. The marathon, which is internationally accredited by the International Association of Athletics Federation attracted over 200 competitors from across Australia in 2007.
Led by Blacktown City Council with support from Westlink Motorway Limited, Liverpool and Fairfield City Councils, the 42.195 km is expected to attract a number of serious competitors out to break records.
The marathon will again use the Westlink M7's Shared Pathway, which runs parallel to the Westlink M7 Motorway in Sydney's west. Starting in Liverpool the marathon route will take runners along the Pathway to a point some 30km along when it will turn back and continue to the finish line at the Athletics Centre, Blacktown Olympic Park in Rooty Hill.
The increasing prestige of the Marathon has seen the likes of legendary Marathoner and former Australian Marathon Champion Steve Moneghetti cross the finish line in fourth place.
Moneghetti describes the Westlink M7 Marathon as unique; "This is a unique event because it is held on a cycleway/walkway that is totally traffic free, allowing for a smooth running event. This is the first time I have run this type of course and I must say it is a result of forward thinking in terms of liability concerns and traffic by the Council and Westlink. Other runs across the country I think will look at this concept and start using it," he said.
The marathon will start at 6.30am from Ash Road Sports Field, Prestons and will travel along the Westlink M7 shared pathway until Quakers Hill (turnaround point). Participants will then head back exiting at Eastern Road, Rooty Hill that leads back through the finish line at Blacktown Olympic Park's Athletics Facility on Eastern Road, Rooty Hill.
This years Marathon boasts a minimum prize pool of $50,000 will be available thanks to the generosity of naming rights sponsor Westlink Motorway, Liverpool Council and Cadbury Schweppes.
Entry into the Marathon remains at $80 per person (including a Marathon T-Shirt). Entrants must be over the age of 18 years old. Entry forms, course maps and race information can be accessed on www.wm7citiesmarathon.com.au or by phoning Council on 9839 6000.