A love affair with the Melbourne Marathon and the MCG has continued for Western Athletics’ Jack Rayner.
After claiming two half marathon titles in the event, Rayner moved into the full marathon last year and claimed his first title.
On Sunday, while the hunted, Rayner made it back-to-back titles as he claimed the win as the first of 14,500 runners to cross the line.
Buoyed by a flood of encouraging cheers, Rayner outpaced the competition on the 42.195 kilometre course finishing one minute and 40 seconds ahead of runner-up Steven McKenna (02:16.42), and Fraser Darcy (02:17.38) in third position.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing for Rayner in the lead up to the race.
“I was feeling a bit off, my girlfriend came down with something two days ago and I was thinking, I hope I don’t get it,” he said.
“I managed to dodge it, but not quite fully. I’m glad I didn’t get anything near what she did.
“But feeling good now, tired, but good.
Japan’s Jo Fukuda stuck with Rayner for the first part of the race, but the Aussie was able to break away.
Fukuda finished in fourth spot, nearly three minutes behind Rayner.
“I knew Joe was a pretty good, he’s run sub 2.10 before,” Rayner said. “I chatted to him a few days ago to see what he was aiming for.
“I think he went a fair bit quicker than he was telling. I was happy to shake him off after 30 k [kilometre],”
Rayner said the aim was to come back again next year and make it a hat-trick of wins in the marathon.
Caitlin Adams claimed the women’s marathon title in a time of 2:30.26 in her debut in the race.
“I’m feeling on top of the world right now, I’m sure this feeling will carry me across the next few days, it’s going to be hard to sink in but to win Melbourne on debut, I love this event, I’m absolutely stoked,” she said.
The half marathon saw Hatfu Strintzos finish first overall with a time of 01:02.13, as Izzi Batt-Doyle took out the women’s category, clocking in at 01:08.55 and setting a new record for the race.
Adding to the list of high calibre Australian winners was Adam Goddard winner of the 10 kilometre run (28.40) for the men, and Ellie Pashley has made a successful return to competitive racing, winning the women’s 10 kilometre (33.41).
Rayner said he would have a couple of weeks break before he targets the Zatopek 10 kilometre event which also doubles as the national championships.
Rayner will be going for his fifth straight title in that event.
He last year became only the second person, behind Steve Moneghetti, to claim the title four times in a row.
