The marathon started at the perfect temperature of 6 degrees, with the track covered by a fine mist but no heavy rain in sight, and a temperature at the finish of 12 degrees.

It was perfect.

The lead male runners in the marathon were all Australian representatives, in distances up to 100km.

But the eventual winner Alex Matthews who took off at around the 25km mark and won in the second fastest time ever recorded in the Fitzroy Marathon of 2 hours 46 min 4 secs.

Terry Bell was second almost 10 minutes in arrears while David Hosking, who was second in 2005, finished a few minutes further back in third.

In the women’s event Beth Cardelli, a 100km runner, won in the fine time of 3 hours 32 mins 30 secs, from Jess Baker (3:43:24) and a fast finishing Amanda Bates (3:43:58).

A total of 95 runners completed the marathon, including 20 women.

The runners were quick in the 10km race but outside the records.

Australian representative Stephen Brown from Kembla Joggers won in a time of 34 min 19 secs, from Alex Pitkethly (37:00) and Jacob Schol (39:52).

In the Women’s Tanya Stevens was first across the line in 44 min 30 secs followed by Linda Wetherill (48.25) and Hannah Brown (49:01).

But it was in the 5km race that saw a record toppled.

Michael Harrison won in an amazing time of 16 min 13 secs breaking the record he set last year of 16:19. Second to finish was Cameron Fraser (18:44) and Bradley Sawyers (20:49).

In the ladies event, Melanie Foster was the winner and fourth overall in a time of 21 min 56 secs. Kathy Jones was second (24:32) and third home was Audrey Pring (25:37).

The number of finishers this year in the three events was 291 - well up on last year.

Accordingly it appears as though the day will have raised more for the four local Bush Fire Brigades than last year.

Again the feedback from runners was very supportive.

There were many remarks that it was a great part of the world, held on a lovely course and there were friendly fire brigade members right throughout the forest.

And the special thank you for the financial support provided by our major sponsor MF Global Financial Services, an International Funds Manager.

Finally our congratulations go to four runners.

Three runners, Vic Anderson from Ingleburn, Mick Corlis from the ACT and Wayne Donges from Faulconbridge, completed their 10th Fitzroy Marathon.

They all competed in the very first event in 2000.

And finally, that marathon stalwart Bob Fickel finished his 196th marathon event was simply amazing.