Race Hub Australia husband-and-wife team Jack Green and Caitlin Cunningham hope to establish an annual half marathon in Goulburn and build up a starting field from about 600 to 1000 in the years ahead. They are in partnership with Goulburn Mulwaree Council for the inaugural 21.1-kilometre race. Photo: Race Hub Australia.
Goulburn has been famous for staging athletic endurance events, ranging from the long-running Liverpool to Goulburn Cycle Classic, a fun run across Lake George when the lake bed was dry and the Rocky Hill fun run.
Nevertheless Jack Green, who launched events organiser Race Hub Australia early last year, could not fathom why Goulburn did not have its own half marathon.
Regional centres including Bathurst, Orange and Wagga Wagga have previously staged half marathons.
Jack said when his staff inquired with Goulburn Mulwaree Council about a half marathon, the closest event the council could remember was the Rocky Hill fun runs years ago, held over various 10 km and five-kilometre courses.
Now Jack and his wife, Caitlin Cunningham, are about to remedy that, scheduling Goulburn’s first half marathon on Sunday, 25 May, starting from Riverside Park.
This relatively new park, which links to the Wollondilly Walking Track, is regarded as a more suitable location than Marsden Weir, where the successful Saturday morning Park Run begins, because of the flat surface and traffic conditions. Across 23 hectares, it has more flat space for starting a bigger event.
Jack is aiming for a first-up field of about 600 runners and has more than 160 registrations at this stage. In coming years, he hopes to build up bigger starting fields.
“The location offers a lot of opportunities,” he said.
Potential for building on the event is evident in the Park Run fields of runners in Goulburn each Saturday, when visitors come from Sydney and Canberra clubs, and further afield.
Jack said distance running had never been so popular, for several reasons.
One is the Sydney Marathon joining the Abbott World Marathon Majors, and on 31 August it will be the biggest ever staged in the country. Abbott World Marathon Majors already include the Boston, London, Berlin, Tokyo and New York marathons.
Closer to home, there’s another simple reason for running reclaiming its popularity.
“Run clubs are the new dating app and the new nightclub,” Jack said. “They are a great way for meeting people without having to drink.”
As promotions begin to step up, however, members of the Goulburn Runners and Walkers, who are among key volunteers of the weekly Park Run, said they had not been consulted before the decision was made to stage a half marathon in their home town.
“It feels like the event has been parachuted in,” said one of Goulburn’s stalwart runners, who organised multiple Rocky Hill runs. He said had the organisers contacted the Goulburn runners, they would have been given information including the right people to contact.
Jack has accepted the feedback.
“I’m in the process of reaching out to various groups offering discount codes for the event. Goulburn runners and walkers will be one of them,” he said.
The event will run with the help of about 20-25 volunteers and five or six Race Hub Australia staff.
Entrants can choose between the 21.1 km half marathon; 10 km run; five-kilometre run or two-kilometre family dash.
According to Goulburn Mulwaree Council’s events team, the half marathon will provide the perfect setting for everyone to participate and achieve their goals.
“With the current rise of running clubs and festivals, it is anticipated that this event will draw an estimated 600-700 participants, injecting over $235,000 into the Goulburn Mulwaree economy,” the events team said in a media release.
“All finishers will be rewarded with a unique Goulburn-themed medal, post-race snacks, sponsor giveaways, and an online finisher’s certificate. This event not only promotes physical fitness but also fosters a sense of community spirit.
“Families are encouraged to join the celebration, whether by participating or supporting from the sidelines, making the Goulburn Half Marathon a day of fun and camaraderie for all.”
Registrations are open. Book before 26 April to secure your entry at the standard rate to avoid ticket prices increasing.
The event is being held on Sunday, 25 May, starting from 8 am, in Riverside Park, Quiberon Way, Goulburn. Bookings available at racehubaustralia.com/goulburnhalf/. Spectator entry is free.
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