MORE than 1700 runners converged on Warners Bay foreshore on Sunday for the annual Newcastle Permanent Lake Macquarie Running Festival.
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Runners of all ages and fitness levels competed across three events: the 21.1-kilometre half marathon, 10.5km fun run and 4km kids scamper.
Dudley’s Regina Jensen won the half marathon in the female category, finishing in 1:21:20.
In second and third were Wangi Wangi’s Danielle Hart and Hamilton East’s Jessica Stabler, who finished neck-and-neck in 1:27:24 and 1:27:33 respectively.
Michael Daly, of Fraser, ACT, crossed the finish line in 1:12:28 to take out the half marathon male category.
The 10.5km fun run was dominated by local entrants.
Newcastle’s Vlad Shatrov won the male category in 33 minutes and 53 seconds, followed closely by The Junction’s Glenn Stojanow, who finished in 33 minutes and 58 seconds.
Amy Walker of Newcastle, won the female category in 41 minutes and 49 seconds.
In second and third were Valentine’s Hayley Gustard (42 minutes and 41 seconds) and Cooranbong’s Holly Khan (42 minutes and 57 seconds).
Newcastle’s Liam Dixon won the kids scamper in the 11-13 years boys category in 15 minutes and 33 seconds.
His female counterpart, Belmont North’s Sarah Pickering, finished in 17 minutes and nine seconds.
In the 8-10 years category, Metford’s Addison Cobley won the boys category and Caves Beach’s Tegan Taylor won the girls’.
Event organiser Chad Griffith said the event ran smoothly.
He acknowledged the behind-the-scenes work of 70-plus volunteers, including helpers from Charlestown Netball Association and Crest Newcastle.
‘‘We really appreciate out volunteers and our running groups that come along and support the event every year,’’ he said.
‘‘Without them we can’t have the event.’’
The event raised about $3000 for the Children’s Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, $500 of which was raised through the sale of previous years’ race T-shirts.
This will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Griffiths family, bringing the total to about $6000.
For full results, click here.