Rowan Walker
Race career
Walker's first marathon was in 2000 when he entered Sydney’s Host City Marathon, a trial event prior to the 2000 Summer Olympics.{{cite web|url=http://trailrunningaustralia.com/ultra-runner-rowan-walker-interview/|title=Rowan Walker|last=Stephenson |first=Shona |date=2012-10-07 |publisher=trailrunningaustralia.com|accessdate=2020-02-13}}
In 2007, he claimed his first marathon title by winning the Melbourne Marathon in a time of 2:19:16.{{cite web|url=https://www.multisportaustralia.com.au/races/84|title=2007 Melbourne Marathon Results|publisher=multisportaustralia.com.au|accessdate=2020-02-13}} During this period he was coached by Lee Troop.{{cite web|url=http://trailrunningaustralia.com/ultra-runner-rowan-walker-interview/|title=Rowan Walker|last=Stephenson |first=Shona |date=2012-10-07 |publisher=trailrunningaustralia.com|accessdate=2020-02-13}}
In 2010, the Gold Coast Marathon simultaneously decided the men's and women's Australian Marathon Champions. As the first Australian athlete to finish, Walker thus claimed the title of Australian Marathon Champion. In 2014, the Gold Coast Marathon again served as the Australian Marathon Championship, and Walker was once more the first Australian home, in 11th place overall, to take the title. From 2008 to 2017, the Oceania Marathon and Half Marathon Championships were also decided at the Gold Coast Marathon, with Walker claiming a top three position in the Oceania marathon championship for eight consecutive years from 2008.
At the 2010 Melbourne Marathon, Walker completed a personal best marathon time of 2:18:01, at the age of 40.{{cite web|url=https://www.multisportaustralia.com.au/races/302/events/1/results/individuals/3|title=Rowan Walker in the 2010 Melbourne Marathon|publisher=multisportaustralia.com.au|accessdate=2020-02-13}} This set a race record for the men's 40–44 age group.{{cite web|url=https://melbournemarathon.com.au/eventhistory/|title=Event History|date=15 November 2016 |publisher=melbournemarathon.com.au|accessdate=2020-02-13}}
Walker has also placed first in the Auckland Marathon (2012) and Canberra Marathon (2011, 2013, 2015 and 2016).
Walker has participated in a number of ultramarathon events, including the Kepler Challenge.{{cite web|url=http://www.multisport.net.nz/news/race/2061-kepler-challenge-record-smashed.html|title=Race Record Smashed In 2013 ASICS Kepler Challenge|date=2013-12-09|publisher=multisport.net.nz|accessdate=2020-02-13}} In 2012, Walker was the first solo runner home in the inaugural Surf Coast Century, a 100 km ultramarathon set around Anglesea, Victoria.{{cite web|url=http://trailrunningaustralia.com/ultra-runner-rowan-walker-interview/|title=Rowan Walker|last=Stephenson |first=Shona |date=2012-10-07 |publisher=trailrunningaustralia.com|accessdate=2020-02-13}}{{cite web|url=http://tomatotiming.racetecresults.com/myresults.aspx?uid=16-28010-3-130382|title=Rowan Walker Surf Coast Century 2012|publisher=racetecresults.com|accessdate=2020-02-14}} He has also competed in the Duathlon World Championships and the Ironman Australia event in Port Macquarie.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{World Athletics}}
- [https://www.runnerstribe.com/features/interview-with-rowan-walker-the-real-marathon-man/ Interview with Rowan Walker: The real marathon man]
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Category:Australian male marathon runners
Category:Sportspeople from Hobart
Category:Australian male long-distance runners