The scenic Albert Park in Melbourne, part of the route

The Great Australian Run is an annual 15 kilometres road running race which takes place in November in Melbourne, Australia. First held in 2008, it is an international version of the British-based Great Run series.

Last year it was won by Haile Gebrselassie (ETH) with a time of 42:40, while Catherine Ndereba (KEN) won the women’s event finishing in 50:43.

While this year, there was a surprise winner in the men’s category with Günther Weidlinger (AUT) clocking 43:01, upstaging big names such as Olympic marathon champion Sammy Wanjiru, Olympic 2004 marathon champion Stefano Baldini, and Spain’s former European 10,000 metres champion Jose Manuel Martinez.

Nikki Chapple (AUS) won in new course record time of 50:1 for the women’s category.

2009 Great Australian Run – Preview

Event Preview of the Great Australian Run (courtesy of Network Ten)

2009 Great Australian Run – News Feed

News feed from the 2009 Great Australian Run (courtesy of Network Ten)

2009 Great Australian Run – Press Conference

Event Preview of the Great Australian Run (courtesy of Network Ten) – Friday 27 November