THERE was an impressive sight at the crack of dawn on Saturday when 371 competitors lined up for the PortIron5k Fun Run.
It was a fitting opening to the Ironman Australia weekend and a preview to the big race on Sunday.
The contingent moved its way in a large group along Clarence Street before dropping down the hill to Town Beach.
They then came back along the breakwall and over Buller Street Bridge to run along the path to the end of Westport Park before finishing back on Town Green at the Ironman finish chute.
The $2700 raised from the event goes towards the volunteer donations that the Local Organising Committee make back to community groups and sporting clubs who provide volunteers for Sunday’s main event.
Former professional runner from Geelong, who recently moved to Port Macquarie, Mark Tucker took out the honours on the day in a spectacular time of 14 minutes and 51 seconds.
Second place went to Chris Moor in 16.32 and third place was Port Macquarie runner Cameron Pensini, 18, in 16.37.
0-14 Female
1 Ashley BLEAKLEY 0:19:4615, 2 Zia JONES 0:21:48217, 3 Madison
HAYWARD 0:22:18323
0-14 Male
1 Lachlan PHILPOTT 0:17:12, 2 Caham LANG 0:17:25, 3 Tom LEWIS 0:20:02
15-19 Female
1 Madi ROBERTS 0:18:47, 2 Roslyn MANGULABNAN 0:20:45, 3 Kirra SOUTHWELL 0:20:46
15-19 Male
1 Cameron PENSINI 0:16:37, 2 Harry JONES 0:16:44, 3 James MURRIE 0:17:10
20-34 Female
1 Courtney SANFORD 0:18:31, 2 Skye MULLINS 0:18:36, 3 Nicole COOK 0:19:48
20-34 Male
1 Mark TUCKER 0:14:51, 2 Chris MOOR 0:16:32, 3 Luke O’SHEA 0:17:18
35-49 Female
1 Katherine MORRIS0N:19:37, 53Jodie LINSLEY 0:20:41, 59Kate PENSINI 0:20:54
35-49 Male
1 Steve ELLIS 0:17:18, 2 Brett ISON 0:17:43, 3 Lance PURDON 0:18:02
50+ Female
1 Leigh CARRALL 0:23:16, 2 Sue CHENERY 0:23:19, 3 Tracey KASTELEIN 0:24:43
50+ Male
1 Steve PAPPAS 0:17:50, 2 Brian MCFARLANE 0:20:20, 3 Neil CARRALL 0:20:53