DOMINIQUE Ryan and Liam Thierens were the 100km female and male winners at this year’s Blackall 100 race, with Run Queensland celebrating the event’s tenth year. The event was held at QCCC Mapleton on October 19, and was a huge success, with 1000 runners registered.
The race consisted of three different distances, 100km, 50km, and 21km with a division each for men and women. Commonwealth Games silver medalist and Sunshine Coast local, Melissa Hauschildt, made history in the 50km female race. Not only did she win the race, but she broke the course record by 25 minutes, finishing in 4:29:14.
Run Queensland race director, Brett Standring, said they are now trying to convince her to run the 100km race next year. “She told us she doesn’t feel ready for that distance but we feel that she is,” he said.
“Melissa’s goal was to actually beat the men’s and women’s course record on the weekend. “She just missed out on also beating the men’s course record by about 15 minutes.” Eddie Keogh won the 50km male race, Bel Williams won the 21km female race and Zack Newsham won the 21km male race.
Brett added that despite the mid 30 degree temperatures for most of the day, they had a great turn out. “It went really well, a few people couldn’t cope with the hear but most were okay,” he said. “We had more people run in the 50km races than last year too.”
