On Sunday the 21st of July, 21 AFLNT Umpires lit up the East Point Reserve for the 2013 Sports Co Darwin ½ marathon on a pleasant dry season morning.
Seven brave runners led by Beckie Taylor (1:48:21), Brian Walters, Roy Baehnisch, Simon Walker, Sam Baker, Andrew Robertson and Marie Neenan completed the whole 21.1km half marathon individually, an intense and physically demanding task. AFLNT Umpires also showed great team spirit in defence of the 4 person relay team title with Jeff Mann, Jeff Gambrell, Mark Noonan and Dean O'Donoghue recording a winning time of 1:26:16.
Congratulations also extend to other relay teams in Ray Hocking, Hayden Kelly, Jim Thiele and Phillip Hannam finishing 5th, John Rawsthorne, Sian Atkins, Shannon Bell and Kim Rawsthorne finishing 11th and a big well done to Jo Wood and Kieth Pratt finishing 10th in the 2 person relay team division.
Overall it was a great demonstration of the fitness benefits umpiring in the Top End provides, “promoting umpiring through an important community event within the greater Darwin region such as the Sports Co ½ Marathon really gives our members the chance to demonstrate their umpiring fitness levels to the public, and the team singlets worn by members also shows our great social team atmosphere” said AFLNT Umpiring Manager Mark Noonan, a member of the victorious relay team.
Noonan also remarked that, “the ½ marathon also gives a great platform to kick start our pre season and recruiting efforts leading into 2013/14 NTFL season, promoting umpiring as a great way to stay fit and be socially involved in a fully inclusive team”.
For a full list of results, please see the Darwin Walkers and Runners Club Website.