DECEMBER / MELB MARA EDITION
HARRIETTE SLATER
Harriette Slater has officially taken down her long standing family marathon record. With all three Slater siblings competing at the Melbourne Marathon, she managed to drop both of her brothers and sneak under 3 hours, surpassing her Mum’s record dating back to 2002. An amazing beginning to her marathon career, with her best running yet to come.
Tell us about yourself:
Originally from Bendigo, I'm now a physio in Melbourne. Being a physio has given me an appreciation of the importance of strength and conditioning, so I've grown to enjoy (note: not love) getting into the gym a few times a week in addition to my running. Outside of training, I love to escape the city to the family farm or to the beach and travelling whenever the opportunity arises.
I started running in high school, trying to keep up with my mum who was always training for her next marathon. Following in her footsteps, I was never talented at shorter distances and jumped straight into racing half marathons. My mother likes to remind me that she will hold the family marathon PB until I run a 3.17, at 42 years old, with three children!
Was this your first official marathon and what was your goal leading into the race?
2021 was the first Marathon that I really put a lot of work into. I ran the Melbourne Marathon in 2016, but I ran very conservatively, so I really wanted to see what I could do if I gave it everything I had. Leading into the 2021 Melb Mara I had my sights set on a sub 3hr, but I was worried I was being too ambitious.
Talk us through your race:
I ran the majority of the race with my brother, Ned, which was an incredible thing to share. Running with him kept me calm and we were able to give each other little words of encouragement when either of us hit a tough patch. Being the over-achieving little brother that he is, however, I didn't feel so bad about dropping him on the hills of The Tan.. catch me if you can Noodles! My older brother (Will) also raced, and completing a marathon training block with my two brothers was something really special. When I wasn't running with my brothers my boyfriend (Tim) was by my side. The best training partner and emotional support I could ask for, who put more thought and effort into my race than his (he ran a lazy 2.49). I was very lucky to have Andy Buchanan as a coach in the lead-up, and am very confident that I wouldn't have been able to achieve what I did without him. He might be the only person that has been able to get me to run 400s!
Post race celebrations?
I flew to Byron Bay the morning after the race. Swimming and lying on the beach for a week is exactly how every Marathon recovery should look!
Wine (any type). Am I still allowed in the Beer Club if I don't like beer?
Absolutely, Harriette.
Luke Crameri was hunting down a big PB as he made his long awaited return to the Melbourne Marathon. A respected member of the Bendigo Bats, Luke nailed a solid training block under the guidance of his noteworthy coach, to crack sub 2:40 for the first time. Big time stuff. Tell us about yourself:
I am married to Nicole and we have 3 beautiful kids. (Elsie-5, Stella-3 and Finn-15 months). Trying to fit running in can be a bit difficult at times, but thankfully Nicole is understanding! I have been a school teacher for 12 years and I am starting a new job at St. Francis of the Fields, which is very exciting! I did cross country and little athletics as a child, but footy was my sport of choice. I played footy until I was 26-27 and it got to the point where I was keen to try a marathon, so I decided to give footy away and I have been running ever since.
Was this your first official marathon and what was your goal leading into the race?
This was my 3rd Melbourne Marathon and my 4th marathon overall (I debuted at Gold Coast in 2016). I have been lucky enough to learn from each marathon and improve my PB with each one. Leading into this race, my goal was to break 2.40. I was a bit unsure whether this was over ambitious, as it was quite an improvement on my previous best. (2.46 at Melbourne in 2019). My training indicated that a sub 2.40 was possible, it was just a matter of putting it together on the day. Thankfully, the race went to plan!
Talk us through your race:
Overall, I was really happy with how the race played out. I probably went out a little bit quick, but I was with a good pack so it was nice to be able to sit in that and relax. By the time we got to the second turnaround on Beach Rd to come back up to St. Kilda, we had all dispersed. My first rough patch was running up Fitzroy St. I was running solo and although only a small incline, it felt much harder than what it should have. By the time I got onto St.Kilda Road and hit the half marathon runners, I was able to find a bit of energy. Heading up to the shrine for the first time, I really struggled. I thought it was a matter of survival from then, however, once that section was over, the adrenaline of being close to the finish and realising that I would achieve my goal, it was a satisfying finish.
A shout out to my close mate and coach, Brady Threlfall, who wrote my program for this marathon. He understands my family situation and what's possible for me during a marathon build up. Also, a big thanks to my wife, Nicole for being so understanding and accepting of me out training after work or falling asleep on the couch on a Sunday afternoon after a long marathon session!
Post race celebrations?
I caught up with fellow Bendigo Bats runners, Andy, Steve and Luke for lunch and a beer. It was nice to catch up and debrief about the race. I had the fun job of driving back to Bendigo that afternoon, so not too many beers were consumed!
Favourite beer/drink?
I love trialing different independent beers. We have a great shop in Bendigo called, The Hop Supply, which stocks all independent brews, so it is nice to go in and choose new beers. I do go straight to the mid strength fridge these days, as I have gotten a bit weak in my old age! (my mates may say this has always been the case!) Colonial brewing does a great mid strength beer and I always find myself coming back to Stone & Wood Pacific ale.
ZOE DELANY
An integral member of the Vigor training group, Zoe Delany is one of the friendliest runners (and people) around. After a few false starts due to injuries and race cancellations, Zoe finally made her long awaited marathon debut. With no time in mind and just stoked to be there, she ran an impressive 3:21:41. You absolute legend, Zoe.
Tell us about yourself:
I work as a physiotherapist assistant at a rehabilitation hospital. I often work with patients who are fiercely determined to get moving again post surgery or trauma. I’m regularly reminded that our mobility is our freedom.
I’ve always loved running. Athletics Carnival Day was the best day of the year when I was at school. I joined my local athletics club in my twenties. I would have joined sooner if I’d known that running was such an inclusive sport.
Was this your first official marathon and what was your goal leading into the race?
This was my first full marathon. I have previously trained for others but not made the start line due to injury or event cancellation. I was stoked just to be there, so I wasn’t really letting myself get fixated on a goal finish time. 
Talk us through your race:
The first half was a walk in the park thanks to good preparation. It gradually got harder from there though, so I was fortunate to have loads of support on course. At 36km I was on the tail end of a stitch, and walked through a drink station before pushing up the hill beside the botanical gardens. Over the next 2km I had three friends run with me, my husband and kids cheering, my brother and my cousin ride beside me, and friends handing me electrolyte drinks and icy poles. In that moment it all felt like a bit of a party and I started to crave a Corona (beer not virus) with a fresh lime, so I shifted gears and was able to run my last 4km home reasonably strong.
Post race celebrations?
Drinks and down by the Fairfield Boathouse with some of my run group friends. My brother Liam/Coach cooked us a BBQ. Most of my training is in that area so it felt strangely satisfying to be sitting there drinking beer, relaxing, after all the hard work was done.
Favourite beer/drink?
I cut out all alcohol for 6 weeks prior to the Melbourne Marathon, but I usually drink gin or white wine. Oddly, I’ve come out the other side of the marathon a ‘beer drinker!’ and have been loving Summer Ales, especially this Atomic Hazy From Erniold ;)
KYLE HITCHCOCK
Hailing from AM:PM:RC, Kyle Hitchcock went bang at Melbourne Marathon in what was his first real crack at a fast race (let’s call it his debut). Kyle went out hot and put it on the line, holding strong for an amazing 2:45:33. The best is yet to come for Kyle. This guy ain’t fucking around.
Tell us about yourself:
I’m originally from New Zealand, I've been based in Melbourne for almost eight years, the last three or so of which I've spent the majority of my time running. I run with AM:PM.RC of whom I owe much of my love and success in the sport. Big love to each and everyone one of them. I work for Ciele and pedal running caps and apparel for a living, as well as working some extra hours for a beauty company- interesting combo, I know. Outside of running and working, I'm a massive foodie who loves to eat, cook and read recipe books cover to cover, listen to sad boy English pop-rock, send funny reels to people on Instagram and walk my dog.
Was this your first official marathon and what was your goal leading into the race?
Melb Mara was my first real race-race marathon. I'd run the distance multiple times before (one time around a 400m track) and have done a couple of Ultra distance races, but never with this level of intensity. My goal got thrown around a little after working through a knee injury 10 weeks out, so I settled on working toward 2.45, or thereabouts, which at the time felt like a bit of a pipe dream.
Talk us through your race:
Race day was everything that I never expected, which is actually exactly what I expected. Considering we made it to the start line during the national anthem, I didn't have much time to take it all in. From the gun, it was hell or highwater for the first two km before I realised I was running way outside of my planned pace. After finding my feet, and breath, I settled into a more comfortable tempo, bunkered down and ran fairly strongly for 30-ish km. Carried a fairly gnarly stitch for two or so km's down St Kilda road, managed to push through it and then almost ruined my race by cramping up at about 36km's trying to slow down for a strong AM:PM.RC high five (shout out to DP)- from there it was just gritting my teeth and making it to the finish line. Luckily I had a couple of minutes up my sleeve after going out a bit too hot, so ultimately I finished in a somewhat leisurely stroll, not that it felt that way at the time. Having all of Melbourne’s running community and support crews out there really made the difference, nothing better than seeing some familiar faces or having someone cheer your name when you’re finding yourself in a tough moment.
Post race celebrations?
After crossing the line and sitting down and having a big fat cry, it was straight back to the crew to celebrate and cheer others running. Following that it was home for left over curry and supermarket roti bread (IYKYK), then straight to the pub to drink endless pints with the crew, followed by more pints with Pulse Running and Hunter- seemed fitting to be mingling amongst some of the best in Melbourne's running community and chew ears off left, right and centre. Plus my coach, Jordy, wanted to parade me around and oddly gave me the nickname; `The Prodigy’ but don't ask him, he'll deny it.
Favourite beer/drink?
All beers are created equal- but anything cold (and free) is my favourite.