Neither the heat nor hangovers stopped Albury’s inaugural Pub2Pub run kicking off on Sunday morning, with runners toughing it out on the nine-kilometre course from Springdale Heights Tavern to Brady’s Railway Hotel.
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Up to 310 starters set off from Lavington at 9am and made their way to Brady’s as the mercury crept to a balmy 33 degrees.
Beechworth resident Caellum Crow was first across the line, finishing the race in 31 minutes and 29 seconds.
“It was a bit hot to start with, but once we got going it was alright,” he said.
“It was a good course, fairly fast and flat. It being nine kilometres was a bit different from the usual 10 kilometres, so that was nice. I’m looking forward to running it next year in reverse just for something unique.
“I think Albury’s really stepped up, they’ve got three really good events now: the Nail Can Hill Run, the City2City and now this one.”
Not far behind was Ellie O’Kane, who was the quickest female over the line in 32 minutes and 59 seconds.
O’Kane, who now lives in Torquay working as a physio, said she enjoyed travelling back to the Border to catch up with mates and family.
“It was pretty tough in the heat, but it went well,” she said. “It’s a good excuse to come back to Albury and see everyone.”
Albury’s Onto Lebreton, 17, won in the under 18s in 35 minutes and three seconds while Grace Kelly finished in one hour and 17 minutes in the under 18s female category.
Organiser Brooke Bosse, whose parents Graham and Bev run Springdale Heights, was rapt with how the event turned out, and hoped it would become a tourism draw-card for the Border.
“It was amazing, everything went to plan from the start, and we attracted some excellent runners and families,” she said.
“It’s about creating another event for the community and to give back. We involve the community with our hotels when they come in for a meal and a drink, so we just felt it would be nice to give back and organise something to create a bit of a tourism draw-card in years to come.”
Money raised will be donated to the Albury Police Citizens Youth Clubs, who will offer a summer program to develop self-esteem, leadership and behavioural skills for the Border’s youth.
“We wanted to pick a smaller, local charity – sometimes those ones get overlooked,” Mrs Bosse said.
