Running 31 years, still going strong

THE 31st Hydro Tasmania Imperial 20 was run in unusually humid conditions on Sunday. Fortunately, the scorching temperatures of the previous day were avoided but many of the participants did find the conditions uncomfortable.

There were over 150 entrants in the main events and almost 50 children in the Main Street junior dash competitions. This level of participation was on par with many of the previous years.

*The littlest Junior Dashers loved running up the middle of Main Street.*

Little kids dashing for the finish line.

There were some race veterans on the course. It was Fox Mahoney’s 31st coast-to-coast run. Ricci Bishop, in her 25th Imperial, was the first female across the line in the 32km Walking Event and was not far off her first Imperial time.

Charlie Stellmaker, 16, competed in his 10th Imperial and won the 8km Running event. The fastest male in the 32km Running Event was Newcastle runner Sean Dunleavy, who last year completed eight marathons in eight days in eight states to raise awareness and funding for melanoma research.

Imperial 20 Inc. president Gary Strickland was particularly pleased with this 31st event. “It has only been with the generous contributions from our volunteers and sponsors that the Imperial has grown to be such a successful event,” Mr Strickland said.

*Imperial 20 president Gary Strickland.*

“I would like to thank Hydro Tasmania and all the other sponsors for their support and I would like to personally thank each and every volunteer for giving up your time to make this wonder race happen.

“Finally, I feel so fortunate to have an amazing committee that works throughout the year to keep the Imperial 20 going.”