Posted: August 21, 2005

Athletics: Ozzie Wins Second Noosa Half Title

Tanzanian, Oswald Revelian today took out the Noosa Journal Half Marathon for the second year in blistering style while Jodie Willett was stunned to take out the women's, event taking three minutes off her time from last year.

The 23-year-old Revelian has had a heavy racing schedule since arriving in Australia on June 27 contesting the Gold Coast Marathon where he finished a credible 6th then backed it up with a win in the 4.5km event at the Bridge to Brisbane then recorded a top ten finish in last weekend's City to Surf.

"I am really happy with my run today as it was 2 minutes faster than last year and now I hope I can also do a 2:17 in The Sydney Marathon," said Oswald.

The Noosa Half formed part of his preparation for trying to claim his third successive victory in the Sydney Marathon on September 11 and if he is successful in running 2:17 he will take three minutes off last years time (2:21).

Oswald took it out from the start and was joined by current Queensland Half Marathon and 10km champion Brian Livingston in the early stages but he just fell off the pace in the second lap to finished third.

"I would have liked to have gone better but gave it all I had today and have to be happy with third," said Livingston.

Livingston has got the Queensland Run series sewn up with that win taking out the first leg at Jetty to Jetty with the final event in the series on at the River Run on September 18 in Brisbane.

Christopher Reeves ran a solid race to again finish second two years today behind Revelian but nature called at the 17km mark and he couldn't make up the distance. The 20-year-old from Eastern Heights is one of our most versatile runners covering 5km through to the half marathon distance. Reeves recently ran an Australian 5km qualifying time, won the Ipswich Half marathon and took out the 10km event at the Gold Coast Marathon.

"I was a little disappointed with the brief interruption at 17km because I was on a PB at the 10 mile mark to do a 66:40 but these things happen. I don't if I'd beaten Oswald today but I know that I would have given him a good nudge," said Reeves.

Willett was inspired by her partner currently on deployment with the Australian Navy in the Persian Gulf, "He texted me this morning a 4am to say he won a 7km run in Dubai so I had a huge incentive to win here today, I'd never hear the end of it," said a delighted Willett who is coached by Pat Carroll.

Willett will now have a bit of a break to try and get over a niggling injury then concentrate on building a solid base and focus on next years Gold Coast Marathon.

Bethany van Loenen had a fantastic run today finishing second to Willett by 54sec with Antoinette Minniti rounding out the top three.

Krishna Stanton was one of the pace makers in the half marathon on the 1:40 target. "This is one of the best things I've ever done. I was more nervous pacing than if I was racing. Known for loving a chat Stanton was talking the group up at all the key time splits. "The group was fantastic and actually liked me chatting to them, it was a real buzz at the finish with everyone thanking us and one couple from Swan Hill in Victoria bettering their PB by 10mins by not going out too fast. It has really inspired me again and reminded me of why I love running," said Stanton.

British former world record holder and Olympic Gold Medallist Steve Ovett was on hand to present the medals and winners cheques. Ovett now resides in Noosa, "I love living here, it's a much nicer pace for me these days," said Ovett.

The 2005 Noosa Half which incorporated The Noosa Journal Half Marathon - 21.1km, Noosa 10km and Wide Bay Australia 5km Run/Walk attracted a big field in each event with nearly 2300 competitors, this included 8% of international entrants the largest from New Zealand but also the UK, Sweden and the USA.

Following The Noosa Journal Half Marathon was the Noosa 10km. Again a big field turned out to compete in the 10km, with temperatures now warming up and the crowd swelling, the day was proving a huge success.

The 10km event was just one lap along Noosa Sound and it didn't take long for Andrew Connors to stamp his authority in the race. Connors set a cracking pace in the warm conditions and won comfortably from Keith Williams with Ben Holland finalising the podium positions.

Another top notch performance in the women's event saw Rebecca Wade convincingly claim victory from Caloundra's Jenny Young and Erika Weiner.

The final event of the day was the Wide Bay Australia 5km run/walk. A huge turnout for this event where competitors ran, jogged, walked and pushed prams, some out for a serious run but most just enjoying the morning stroll. Peter Bock took out his third successive 5km today although the time was slower than last year it was good enough to take first. Sarah Bach was the winner of the women's division.

The kids from St Andrews school again won the two video cameras kindly donated by Noosa Fair Shopping Centre.

The 2005 Noosa Half was an enormous success according to event organisers, "We are thrilled with the support from sponsors, competitors and the local community, without the input from all of these people it wouldn't happen and would like to thank everyone," said Donna Murray, General Manager USM Events.

Results - Overall, The Noosa Journal Half Marathon

Male
1.  Oswald Revelian            Tanzania                   1:06:58
2.  Chris Reeves                 Eastern Heights, QLD   1:07:43
3.  Brian Livingston            Surfers Paradise          1:08:09
4.  Steven Page                 Goomeri                    1:12:26
5.  Ron Peters                   Brisbane                    1:14:24

Female
1.  Jodie Willett                 Morningside               1:22:54
2.  Bethany van Loeen        Indooroopilly               1:23:48
3.  Antoinette Minniti         Wollaton                    1:24:41
4.  Vanessa Smith              Vermont South           1:25:23
5.  Zoe Lawrie                   Southport                  1:26:15

Noosa 10km Run
Male
1.  Andrew Connors            Brisbane                    32:53
2.  Keith Williams               Thorneside                 33:52
3.  Ben Holland                  Twin waters               34:21

Female
1.  Rebecca Wade              Foritude Valley           38:15
2.  Jenny Young                 Caloundra                  39:46
3.  Erika Weiner                Glen Iris                    39:57

Wide Bay Australia 5km run/walk
Male
1.  Peter Bock                   Mooloolaba                 15:25
Female
1.  Sarah Bach                   The Gap                    17:57

The race website is at:A HREF="http://www.usmevents.com.au" target="_news">www.usmevents.com.au