The AFLNT Umpiring fraternity put on a good show at the Darwin Half Marathon at East Point reserve on July 17th. As part of their ongoing training and preparations for upcoming NTFL Season.
On Sunday the 22nd of July, 17 AFLNT Umpires lit up the East Point Reserve for the 2012 ABC Darwin ½ marathon on a cold and windy dry-season morning. Three brave runners in Simon Walker (1hour 34 minutes and 38 seconds), Roy Baehnisch (1.50.20) and Brian Walters (1.52.57) 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 Robbie Weatherald, Mark Noonan, Jim Thiele and Hayden Clark recording a winning time of 1.30.46.
Congratulations also extend to other relay teams in Jenny Roe, Liam Bentley, Kieth Pratt and Libby Schmidt finishing 6th, Steve Hill, Tom Harold, Jacob Andreae and Graham Carvolth finishing 10th and a big well done to "GI" Jo Wood and "Kung Fu" Kelly Tellam finishing 12th 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 ABC 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 2012/13 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