Over one thousand three hundred runners took to Queen Elizabeth Drive at the 2017 Island Chill Suva Marathon, which saw Australian, Ben Ashkettle, take home the first prize for the full marathon of 42.2km in the men’s event, crossing the line in a course record of 2 hours and 37 minutes. Anna Cowley of Fiji finished off in first place for the women’s event with a time of 4 hours and 6 minutes.
2016 ultra marathon winner, Kennol Narayan of the Suva Marathon Club finished second in the men’s full marathon at 2 hours 55 minutes with William Simpson finishing in third with a time of 3 hours 32 minutes.
For the female full marathon Joyce Mininiger from the United States came in at second place with a time of 4 hours 10 minutes and Nau Dakuiliga finished with a time of 4 hours 22 minutes.
Half Marathon
In the half marathon of 21.1 km, Avikash Lal of Jet Runners Nadi, came in first at 1 hour and 15 minutes, Sebastian Natler ran in second at 1 hour 18 minutes and David Song claimed the third spot at 1 hour 25 minutes.
The female half marathon runners saw Lauren Toll take first place running in at 1 hour 48 minutes, Olivia Piazza claimed the number two spot with a time of 1 hour 51 minutes and Kathleen Hornick at third place at 1 hour 57 minutes.
Team Marathon
In the team event, where each member runs a quarter marathon of 10.55km, the newly-revived Striders club dominated the men’s event finishing first in a time of 2 hours 55 minutes.
Second place went to Life Runners in a time of 3 hours 39 minutes with the Office of the President running home in third with a time of 3 hours 50 minutes.
In the women’s event, the Island Lady Runners ran home in an impressive 3 hours 46 minutes to win and finished as the third team overall ahead of the men’s third and all mixed teams.
Second place went to Team Sunshine finishing in 6 hours 35 minutes with BSP finishing in third in 6 hours 50 minutes.
In the mixed team event team Mana Island will be taking their medals out to the Mamanucas finishing in a time of 3 hours 56 minutes.
The A Team (APTC)’ finished in second place with a time of 3 hours 58 minutes and ‘We thought they said Rum’ team finished hot on their heels in 3 hours 59 minutes.
The best male team went to Striders and Liliwaimanu Vuiyasawa was named best dressed with her Wonder Woman themed suit.
2017 Island Chill Suva Marathon
The South Pacific’s largest road race brought together both local and international runners which included Brent Weigner who recently broke the world record for the person who has run a marathon in the most number of countries making Suva his 135th today.
Richard Holmes ran his 623rd marathon and Joe Church who has run a full marathon on 25 Royal Caribbean cruise ships took part as well.
The Suva marathon has been held as an annual community event in the Capital City since 2014 and is organised by the Suva Marathon Club. The club’s vision is to organise a world-class annual marathon in Suva to promote distance running and healthier lifestyles.
Thank you!
The Suva Marathon Club would like to thank all sponsors and partners that made the event a memorable day for all runners and spectators including Island Chill, the main event sponsor, Associate Sponsors BSP, Vodafone and Munro Leys, The National Fiji Sports Commission, Athletics Fiji, Oceania Athletics, our media partners FBC and the Fiji Times, Fulton Hogan Highways, Suva City Council, Save the Children and Cure Kids Fiji.
Vinaka vakalevu also to all our volunteers on the day and other partners including the Burning Rock cycling club, Suva Physio, Volunteer First Responders, Fiji School of Medicine, FASANOC, our timing and finishing chute teams, club members, Suva Runners, Greenhouse Studio, Prodesign, JR White, Hot Glass Fiji, SportsWorld, the Holiday Inn and the Fiji Police.
For more information contact: Suva Marathon Club Secretary, Marita Manley, E: [email protected] m: +6799980560
July 22, 2017, Suva Fiji
Photos by: Team N Studios Multi Media Company
