To give us an inside look at the Maitland River Run journalist Betina Hughes participated in the 8km race and shared her experience.
You’ve got to be in it to win it but, in the end, it’s up to you what winning looks like.
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On Sunday, I joined hundreds of runners in their fitness quest by participating in the Maitland River Run.
Athletes had plenty of race lengths to choose from – 4km, 8km, 12km, half marathon, and the Maitland River Mile.
It was a great day for some outdoor exercise.
The overnight rain had cleared and, before I’d even broken a sweat, I was grateful for the slight winter breeze – it would come in handy later on.
I joined my fellow runners ahead of our race at the starting line and began reflecting.
In a fit of athletic enthusiasm I had signed up for the 8km event.
“I’ll do some training beforehand,” I had thought.
With minutes to go until the starting gun, I was starting to wonder why I thought I would have trained, and searched my memory for a time in 2018 when I had surpassed a light jog.
Sure, I’d done some fitness, but there was something particularly daunting about plodding along a monotonous track.
In no time, we were off.
Fears of boredom disappeared as I took in the stunning view - you couldn’t ask for a more relaxing backdrop for a morning run, right by the Hunter River.
As I turned into High Street, I slowed to a walk, but not for long.
Whenever I thought I deserved a break, there was someone there to say I had more effort to give.
“Keep shuffling. Don’t give up. You can do it.”
On the second lap, a father and son duo passed in the opposite direction toward the finish line.
“Great work, buddy – keep going,” dad said to his boy.
“You’re doing great too, dad,” was the reply.
Someone who really deserved a pat on the back was Ben Toomey, who took first place in not only the 8km race, but also the 4km and 12km.
Following him in the 4km was Liam Dixon in second and Monty Dixon in third.
Matthew Morgan was second to cross the 8km finish line, followed by Rob Reed.
The 12km second and third places went to Kyle Pinkerton and Bridey Delaney.
Emmanuel Genlot received the gold in the newly added half marathon event, with Scott Alder and Gareth Bannon taking home silver and bronze.
Luke Young, Jesse Maxwell, Mitchell Olbrich and landed first, second, and third respectively in the River Maitland Mile.
What did I learn from this experience? To never assume you can’t do something – just sign up and find out later.
I might even try the 12km next year.
