The 26th World Airline Road Race

The 26th World Airline Road Race has been run and won. Congratulations to Lazhar Hamadi of Qantas who won both race the 10km in 33.56 and 5km in16.49. In the women’s event Annette Ronnerman (38.33) from American airlines won the 10km whilst Katherine Henville (19.23) British Airways pipped Annette in the 5km We have been receiving many emails from across the world attesting to the success and the enjoyment all the participants. With 1252 registered runners from 38 countries and 77 airlines or airline related companies, the event now in its 26th year is truly a world-class race. Many of the overseas competitors made this; their annual vacation so over 2000 international visitors were around Sydney’s Darling Harbour for the 4-day event.
While many runners were out sampling the sights of Sydney. Others enjoyed the sponsor’s function held at the Qantas Heritage Centre in Sydney airport where George Roberts enthralled the guests with stories from his 71-year tenure at Qantas. The Qantas running club presented the Royal Flying Doctor Service with a donation from all the runners’ entry fees
The Team captains attended the Lord Mayor’s reception at Town hall where Councillor Marcelle Hoff recounted her years as a Qantas flight Attendant and welcomed the runners to Sydney.
Race day started at 3am with the 100 volunteer race crew setting up in Tumbalong Park. As the Full moon gave way to early dawn the 10kmk was run around Darling harbor, Prymont Park where the runners had a great view of the Harbour Bridge, Anzac bridge and Prymont Bridge with the city skyline as a backdrop. Those who slept in were able to run the 5km held at 0730.
The finale was the Gala dinner and awards held in the Sydney convention centre for 800 guest highlights after the awards were the cultural item featuring a didgeridoo player and the surprise reappearance of Bruce the Roo to lead everyone onto the dance floor. A truly memorable 4 days for which we owe a vote of thanks to all our hard working committee, volunteers, sponsors and runners.