James Murphy
THE 2024 Robe Run was deemed a success as the second annual event was run and won in the iconic coastal township.
A total of 370 runners left the start line across the four running distances, with the race starting with a rush down the main street of Robe.
From there the longer distances went on to race along Long Beach, before completing a circuit back up and along the coastal trails overlooking the Obelisk.
The marathon distance (42.2km) was won by Shane Farley, who completed the race in 2:58.21 to win the men’s category from Mount Gambier’s Danny Habets.
Adrian Simkins rounded out the podium, while the women’s marathon was taken out by Sonja Jansen with a time of 3:31.24.
She had an 18-minute lead on South East runner Caitlyn Shanks in second, while Mount Gambier’s Vienna Tran finished third another five minutes behind.
Millicent’s Owen Williams went back-to-back in the men’s half marathon, while Johannah Pham crossed the line first in the women’s category.
Sonya Colbert and Stephanie Lubcke filled the minor placings in the women’s event and Joe Laurie and Michael O’Flaherty finished second and third for the men.
Lucindale’s Nikki Smart also defended her title when winning the 14km event.
“Not only was she the fastest female but she was fastest overall by four minutes,” Adelaide Trail Runners founder Brett Crosby said.
“Nikki was the fastest female last year as well so she went back-to-back.”
Mount Gambier’s Jarred Dempsey won the men’s 14km, followed by Adelaide’s Sam McKindlay and Melbourne’s Nicholas Hurley.
Runner-up in the women’s 14km was another South East local in Jane Auld, while Robe’s Leanne Cameron filled third place.
The 5km fun run also had some local placegetters with Robe’s Tom Wachtel winning the men’s category with a time of 19.44, followed by fellow Robe local Nathan Gibbons and former Mount Gambier resident Tom Miller.
Lucy Gale won the women’s 5km, with Naracoorte’s Belinda Sinclair and Robe’s Lucy Perkins.
Overall Crosby deemed the weekend as the ultimate success.
“It was a fantastic day,” he said.
“The crowds were fantastic and there was a great atmosphere.”
There was a good mix of experience and skill levels throughout the events with positive feedback from all involved.
“We had lots of people doing their first half marathons and first marathons,” Crosby said.
“We had some elite level runners from Adelaide who came down and were on the podium.
“There were lots of great performances from some local runners from the South East who also made it on the podium.”
The event has gained plenty of traction already and the date has already been locked in for the third Robe Run on February 8 2025.
