Conflict in Canberra

A central cafe boasts "views of the city library". I think that sums up Canberra quite well. Very clean, neat as a pin, big wide roads without congestion, everyone has a job to go to, not a rusty car or bohemian in sight. Canberra's soul dresses in a sterile work suit and goes home to Sydney in the weekends. Apart from an impressive war memorial museum, there is however, one very good reason to go wild and book a fare to Canberra....the marathon.

 

The Canberra Marathon has been a happy hunting ground for kiwi athletes over the years and if you ask any of them why it is a good marathon to do, their answer will include two words; Dave Cundy. This event has been Dave's baby for thirty years. Good race directors stamp a certain flavour on their races, think Kathrine Switzer or Fred Lebow. Cundy keeps things simple and makes life as easy as possible for athletes to hit their targets. History tells us that wins in Canberra have been the launch pad for many a marathon career, Lisa Ondieki a case in point, "the Canberra Marathon was the official Olympic Trial in 1984 so winning it in an Olympic qualifying time assured me a berth to the Los Angeles Olympic Games. It was a definitive moment in my running career as it opened the door to my Olympic career. I fondly remember Canberra and its running community as the mecca of Australian distance running. Local legends, such as Rob de Castella, Brian Lenton, Pat Clohessy, Dick Telford and the infamous Dave Cundy inspired me to produce my absolute best both in training and on race day."

Athletes hoping to run Canberra this April have a problem. On 4th February, the ACT Chief Minister announced "with enormous regret" that the ACT Government is unable to provide the necessary approvals to allow the Canberra Marathon to proceed this year. They will not close off the roads. There is a dispute before the Federal Court concerning the management rights to conduct the marathon. The local club does not wish Cundy Sports Marketing to direct the event.

I do not know the club's side of the story, and do not wish to learn all the politics of what is evidently a long running dispute. However, what I, and other athletes who have done Canberra do know, is that Dave and Fran Cundy do a fantastic job and it would be a great loss not just for all those who have their hopes pinned upon this year's event, but also for future events if Dave Cundy is not at the helm. This is what is under threat: 

If you feel the same way, you can read more details on www.canberramarathon.com.au, and show your support by writing to the following:

 

All comments welcome.

 

 

NB NZers who have won the Canberra Marathon include- Nyla Carroll, Gabrielle O’Rourke, Shireen Crumpton (twice), Ngaire Drake, Chris Pilone, Allan Carman, Graham Macky, Judith Hine and Derek Froude (twice).