TeamMONASH™ at the Traralgon Marathon

Tuesday 16 June

25 TeamMONASH™ participants were amongst 209 competitors who ran the 42nd annual Traralgon Harriers marathon. In total 40 members of TeamMONASH™ either participated or volunteered on the day.

Several TeamMONASH™participants were inspired to compete in their first quarter marathon this year, including 1st year student Dale Murphy who finished 3rd overall in the quarter marathon division.

Also flying the TeamMONASH™ flag was Monash alumni Bryn Jones who ran his first ever Marathon. When asked about the achievement Bryn said “I just wanted to see how far I can run…I didn’t actually expect to finish the full marathon”.

Congratulations to the Traralgon Harriers on hosting such a successful event. Thanks particularly to Veronica Roberts and her GippsTAFE students who gave up their Sunday morning to massage hundreds of tired legs, which was certainly appreciated by the competitors.

Race director Richard Comber was thankful for the assistance TeamMONASH™ provides for the event saying “the extra numbers are fantasic…and everyone loved their massage after the race”.

The winner of the quarter marathon in a time of 37 minutes was 17 year old Jesse LaGreca. In 2008 Jesse joined TeamMONASH™ through his older sister Emma who studies at the Monash University Gippsland Campus.

The 2008 Traralgon Marathon introduced Jesse to competitive running and Jesse is now a devoted member of the Traralgon Harriers.

When promotion of the 2009 Marathon began for TeamMONASH™ Jesse replied saying “sorry, I would love to run for TeamMONASH™, but I just signed with Saucony”.

In just one year Jesse has become a competitive runner at a national level, and while it’s not an intended outcome of TeamMONASH™ involvement in Community Fitness Events to find new sporting talent, we are proud to have played a role in introducing Jesse to running.

Jesse at the 2008 Traralgon Marathon.

The TeamMONASH™ massage tent was very popular on the day.

A TeamMONASH™ runner nearing the finish.