Posted: August 2, 2005

Triathlon: Ozzie Set To Defend Noosa Half Title

Tanzanian, Oswald Revelian today confirmed he will return to defend his Noosa Journal Half Marathon title on August 21

The 23-year-old Revelian will contest this weekend’s Bridge to Brisbane and back again the following weekend in Sydney for the City to Surf.

The Noosa Half forms part of his preparation for trying to claim his third successive victory in the Sydney Marathon on September 11.

Since arriving in Australia on June 27 along with his team mates Dickson Marwa, winner of the 2005 Gold Coast Marathon, Sarah Majah who claimed third in the same race, Revelian finished a credible sixth and Patrick Nyangelo won the Gold Coast Half Marathon, it has been a successful trip despite their coach Sulemain Nyambui Mujaya being unable to accompany the group this year. Due to commitments back in Tanzania with the TAAA and TOC along with his involvement in the Tanzanian National Athletics Championships at the end of July and preparing the national team for the upcoming World Championships in Helsinki this month.

Nyambui was a silver medallist at the 1980 Moscow Olympics 5000m and Indoor World Record holder of the 5000m for 17 years. He now heads up the John Stephen Akhwari Athletics Foundation.

Despite a full racing program in the next two weeks, Revelian is looking forward to returning to Noosa. “I had a fantastic time last year and the course was beautiful, so am looking forward to return and putting on a good performance.”

Revelian would prefer a longer break between racing it is difficult for athletes from a third world country and the prize money make a huge difference to them.

The Tanzanian squad has been based at the Runaway Bay Sports Super Centre on the Gold Coast.

Following the Sydney Marathon Revelian may contest the Burnie Ten before returning to his job as police officer in Moshi, near Mt Kilimanjaro.

However, Revelian will have to overcome the current Queensland 10km and Half Marathon Champion Brian Livingston who has also confirmed his intention to race.

Livingston recently won the Jetty to Jetty run which doubled as the Queensland 10km Championships despite a battle to contain the lead group in the early stages.

“My strategy is really not to have one. I just run as hard as I can and once I got to the front today I didn’t to be complacent so set my sights on the lead cyclist,” said Livingston.

Livingston who how hails from the Hollywood Hills in California is now a permanent resident in Australia and resides on the Gold Coast where he works full time in retail.

After studying in Canberra in 1998-’09 he made the decision to move to Australia permanently to pursue his love of distance running.

“My aim is to run 67 minutes but anything under that would be a bonus,” said Livingston.

Revelian’s time last year was 1:08:08 but the race record is currently held by Scott Westcott set back in 2000 - 1:03:03.

If the Half Marathon is a little to long for you then there is the 10km or Wide Bay Australia 5km run/walk.

Entries for this year’s event are open through the secure on-line entry form available at the official web site, www.usmevents.com.au or phone USM Events for a printed entry form (07) 5449 0711.