SriLankan Airlines, the National Carrier of Sri Lanka and a member of the oneworld alliance continuing to establish its brand presence in Australia, became the official airline partner of the Great Ocean Road Running Festival, recently. The Airline was also the title sponsor of the much sought after 6 km race of the Festival.
Known as Australia’s most iconic running festival, GORRF attracted 8200 runners this year, by far the highest participation in the event’s history.
The Airline’s title event, 6 km race attracted almost 1000 athletes. Tom Sellwood who recorded a time of 19:17 minutes emerged the winner of the SriLankan Airlines 6 km race (Male) while Mason Scott and Callum Day finished second and third with timings of 19:33 and 19:52 respectively. Rachel Waters won the 6 km women’s race with a timing of 23:00 while Joanne Paull and Caroline Cleary came second and third with timings of 26:43 and 26:50 respectively.
Nick Earle from Brunswick won the 44 km men’s Great Ocean Road Marathon in 2:27:37, finishing ahead of runner-up Dion Finocchiaro 2:37:43 and Bayden Westerweller 2:44:45 who placed third.
The women’s Marathon category was won by Rhiannon Snipe in 3:04:36, followed by Jasmine Goh 03:16:05 and Zoe Adams 03:19:22 in second and third place respectively.
The GORRF is a two-day festival which consists a range of events such as Ultra Marathon, Marathon, Half Marathon, 14 km, 6 km, 1.5 km races and the walk. The festival attracts thousands of participants and families annually, for its picturesque course and the carnival-like atmosphere created by wellness programmes, live music and kite festivals.