Sunday, October 27 in 2024
While elite runners provide the glamour, the Burnie Ten has not wavered from its original traditions to present a challenge for all of the family whether walking, jogging or running.
When Mike Boss-Walker suggested in 1984 a major footrace to promote the town, he could hardly have envisaged what an impact it would have, not only on this community but throughout Tasmania.
In 1984 a Burnie Ten organising committee was formed with Boss-Walker as Convenor/Secretary. The Committee were Councillors Dr Paul Cains and Deputy Warden Adrian Hayward, appointed Publicity Officer and Sponsorship Officer respectively. Local teachers Phil Crombie (appointed Athletic Director), Dick McKenna and Michael Walker (as Financial Officers) and lawyer Nick Walker completed the group.
“We believe the Burnie Ten will do for distance running what Burnie’s New Year’s Day sports carnival has done for cycling and printing,” said Dr Cains. The plan was to start and finish in Burnie’s main shopping centre, to promote the vibrancy of the town, with an out and back course to Wivenhoe.
Tasmania’s three newspapers, local radio and the ABC announced the new event on Saturday, 8th September 1984, after a major launch function at the Burnie Civic Centre on the Friday.
On 22nd March 1985 The Advocate and Air New Zealand announced they had joined forces to become the race’s first naming rights sponsors. The contribution included three return air fares to San Francisco, flying Air New Zealand, for athletes to compete in the 10km Bay-to-Breakers event.
By July 1985 it had become apparent the Burnie Ten was already being recognised as an event of national significance. Computer giant Wang, usually associated with capital city events such as the Wang Marathon and Live Aid telethon, had agreed to bring hardware and operators to Burnie to time the inaugural event.
Mainland and State elites were targeted and the Committee was confident it could attract up to a thousand participants.They were not far off target, with 809 entries registering to run, including 22-year-old Victorian Stephen Moneghetti, of Ballarat. Having just returned from the World Student Games in Japan, Moneghetti, was the reigning Australian cross country champion and started as race favourite. His best 10km time was 28 minutes 56 seconds.NSW Commonwealth Games representative Lawrie Whitty, would also be competing. Whitty, with a previous best time of 28 minutes 26 seconds, was also considered a great chance.Victorian Adam Hoyle led the field early but it was Moneghetti, following a pre-race plan, who took over the lead at 7km and opened up a 300m winning break. Whitty came in third behind Hoyle.
Moneghetti finished in a time of 28 minutes and 54 seconds – the fastest 10 km ever recorded in Tasmania. It was the beginning of a legendary connection with this great race. Moneghetti went on to win the event four times – 1985, 1988, 1993 and 2001, the last only one second slower than his original winning time.
While the race was a triumph for the elite athletes it more than fulfilled its promise as a run-jog-walk fun run with competitors of all ages and abilities taking part.
While Moneghetti’s four wins remain outstanding, there have been many other multiple wins. Andrew Lloyd (ACT) won in 1986, 1990 and 1991. Bundoora (Vic) runner Darren Wilson, later of the ACT, won the event in 1994, 1996 and 1997. Local runner Stewart McSweyn won in 2017 and 2018, Canberra-based Brett Robinson won in 2015 and 2016, Queenslander Pat Carroll won in 1987 and 1992, Martin Dent (ACT) in 2005 and 2007 and Victorian runners Craig Mottram (in 2002 and 2003) and Collis Birmingham (in 2006 and 2012).
Sydney's Lara Tamsett is the only athlete, male or female, to win three consecutive Burnie Tens. The diminutive runner achieved the triumvirate in 2008-2009-2010. Multiple female winners include Eloise Wellings in 2016 and 2017, Nikki Chapple 2012 and 2013, Emily Brichacek 2011 and 2018, Haley McGregor 2003 and 2004, Kerryn McCann 1995 and 2005 and Tasmanian Kylie Risk 1998 and 1999.
In a race that attracts the nation’s elite, local runners have covered themselves in glory.
In 2017 King Island’s Stewart McSweyn became the first Tasmanian to win the event, edging out previous year’s winner Brett Robinson. Other higher placed Tasmanians include Dean Giblin (1989), Grant Page (2009) and Kim Gillard (2006) who all finished third overall. Russell Foley finished fourth in 1990 while Devonport's Leigh Taylor finished fifth in our very first race in 1985.
Grant Page has been fastest Tasmanian an incredible eight times in 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2015. Dean Giblin has been fastest Tasmanian five separate times in 1987, 1989, 1992, 1993 and 1996. Dave Thomas finished fastest Tasmanian three times in 2003, 2011 and 2014. Multiple Tasmanian fastest males also include Leigh Taylor 1985 and 1986, Russell Foley 1988 and 1990, Michael Chettle 1998 and 2000 and Colin Oliver 1999 and 2001.
Kylie Risk is the undisputed best-ever female Tasmanian. In 1997 the Hobart athlete finished second female overall, 46 seconds behind Victorian Kate Anderson, who completed the distance in the race record time of 32.02. The following year, in 1998, Kylie won the event, completing the distance in 32.42. Then, in 1999 Kylie again won the race, this time in our race record time of 31.42 - a race record that still stands. Kylie Risk was back in form in 2004 when she was first Tasmanian female home.
Like Kylie, Meriem Daoui has been first Tasmanian female across the line four times in 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018. Mel Daniels joined them in 2019 having been first Tasmanian female in 2011, 2012 and 2013. Donna MacFarlane has been first female Tasmanian home on three occasions in 2005, 2006 and 2008. Multiple Tasmanian fastest females also include Joanne Campbell-Smith 1989 and 1990, Andrea Marquart 1991 and 1994, Maryann Murray 1992 and 1993 and Mandy Westbrook 1995 and 1996.
The Burnie Ten has been fortunate with support of civic-minded organisations that are genuinely invested in the welfare and well-being of our community. The inaugural 1985 naming rights partners were Air New Zealand and The Advocate Newspaper, followed in 1986 – 1989 with Wang, 1995 - 1998 with Adidas, 1999 – 2011 with Skilled Engineering, 2012 – 2017 with B&E and in 2018 local specialty cheesemaker The Heritage, part of the Saputo group, became the event’s seventh premier partner. In 2021 the University of Tasmania stepped in last minute to sponsor the event as it bounced back from Covid.
Since 2022 the event has been known as the Strait Link Burnie 10.
In 2015 the committee introduced a 5 kilometre event. The race started in Wilson Street outside the Council Chambers to ensure an accurate distance when finishing under the race gantry near Burnie’s Centrepoint Arcade. Local runners Daniel Reeves and Emma Saint-John (who finished fourth over-all) were the inaugural race’s first across the line. With an initial 433 entries, race numbers have increased every year. In 2018 RACT became the race’s first naming rights partner.
After a trial the previous year, the committee introduced an Elite Wheelchair 10km Road Race in 2015 with ParaQuad Tasmania as naming rights partner. Entrants starting at 11am, fifteen minutes before the main 10km race field. Local Matthew Brumby won the inaugural race.
Currently only four individuals have completed every Burnie Ten since 1985: Maryann Murray and twin brother Michael Bates, local teacher Gerard Leary and Circular Head electrician Ken Williams. Sadly Ron Chequer passed away in May 2020.
The Heritage Burnie Ten 2020 race was a virtual event due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. While no official results, records or times were recognised the race still attracted 1024 participants - 365 in the RACT 5km race and 659 in the main 10km race. Runners picked their own location to complete their distance over the October 17-18 weekend and submit their times to our website. The format welcomed additional mainland interest as well as competitors from New Zealand, England and the USA.
Course changes
The Burnie Ten course has undergone a number of changes since its inception in 1985. Originally the start/finish was located in the Northern end of Wilson Street between North Terrace and Wilmot streets.In 2000 the present gantry was made and erected where the start/finish line moved to near the Council chambers, some 200 metres South of the original location.In 2007 the start/finish was moved again to its present location outside the Centrepoint Arcade.
After Covid reset the industry, there was no physical event staged in 2020, as virtual events swept the world.
Hearing the race was of risk at being lost due of budgetary issues at council in May 2021, past participant Richard Welsh made some calls. As Managing Director of Epic Events & Marketing who owned the Hobart Run The Bridge and Launceston Running Festival, Welsh was keen to see the famous Burnie 10 continue. A call was made to the Burnie Athletic Club and then a meeting was arranged with council to see how the two groups could help.
Council granted the group (Burnie 10 Pty Ltd) a license for the event and the 2021, 2022 and 2023 editions were delivered successfully, including a new Australian 10km record in 2022 by Jack Rayner.
Office bearers of the committee
The committee officially became into being in 1985 although a number of individuals assembled in 1984 as an organising committee to work on the race’s preparations. In 1995 a new position of President was created but was retired after 1997. In 2010, with the passing of Chairman Stephen Hite, the committee was restructured and all positions apart from race director and assistant race directors were retired.
Chairperson:
1985 - 1990 Mike Boss-Walker
1991 - 1994 Martin Jordan
1995 - 1997 Mike Boss-Walker
1998 Martin Jordan
1999 Allan Leeson (interim Chair)
1999 - 2003 Marion Taylor
2004 - 2009 Stephen Hite
2010 Allan Leeson
Position of Chairperson retired
President:
1995 - 1997 Martin Jordan
Position of President retired
Race Director:
2001 - 2003 Stephen Hite
2004 - 2013 Robert Simpson
2014 - present Rick Ferguson
Assistant Race Director:
2006 - present Michael Hardy (race logistics)
2013 - present Lucas Bryan (course logistics)
2016 - present Fiona Innes (volunteer logistics)
2018 - present Robert Simpson (CBD marshal)
Treasurer:
1985 Dick McKenna
2000 - 2009 Brett Whiteley
2010 Sheryl de Bomford
Position of Treasurer retired
Secretary:
1985 Mike Boss-Walker
2000 Allan Leeson
2001 - 2003 Katie Smith
2004 - 2010 Sheryl de Bomford
Position of Secretary retired
Sponsorship Director:
2001 - 2006 Jeremy White
Position of Sponsorship Director retired
Complete listing of committee members 1985 - present:
1985 Mike Boss-Walker (Secretary/Convenor/Chairman), Cr Paul Cains (Publicity Officer), Cr Adrian Hayward(Sponsorship Officer), Dick McKenna (Treasurer), Phil Crombie (Athletics Director), Michael Walker, Nick Walker, Merleen Oliver, Jane Rudd, Clarrie Byrne.
1986 Mike Boss-Walker (Chairman), Cr Paul Cains, Cr Adrian Hayward, Dick McKenna, Phil Crombie (Race Organiser), Nick Walker, Merleen Oliver, Jane Rudd, Clarrie Byrne, Kerry Daniels.
1987 Mike Boss-Walker (Chairman), Cr Paul Cains, Cr Adrian Hayward, Dick McKenna, Phil Crombie, Nick Walker, Merleen Lawson, Jane Rudd, Clarrie Byrne, Jack Thorp.
1988 Mike-Boss-Walker (Chairman), Cr Adrian Hayward, Dick McKenna, Phil Crombie, Nick Walker, Merleen Lawson, Jane Rudd, Clarrie Byrne, Jack Thorp, Frank Ellis.
1989 Mike Boss-Walker (Chairman), Dick McKenna, Phil Crombie, Nick Walker, Merleen Lawson, Jane Rudd, Clarrie Byrne, Jack Thorp, John Wilkinson, Diane Hill, Charles Sargent.
1990 Mike-Boss Walker (Chairman), Dick McKenna, Nick Walker, Jane Rudd, John Wilkinson, Diane Hill, Russell Broomhall, Martin Jordan, Chris Smith, Charles Sargent, Noel Atkins, John Wood, Geo_ Redman.
1991 Martin Jordan (Chairman), Mike Boss-Walker, Dick McKenna, Jane Rudd, John Wilkinson, Diane Hill, Russell Broomhall, Chris Smith, Noel Atkins, John Wood, Geo_ Redman, Jonathon Cahill.
1992 Martin Jordan (Chairman), Mike Boss-Walker, Dick McKenna, Jane Rudd, John Wilkinson, Diane Hill, Russell Broomhall, Chris Smith, John Wood, Jonathon Cahill, Peter Brooks, Graham Poke.
1993 Martin Jordan (Chairman), Mike Boss-Walker, Dick McKenna, Jane Rudd, Diane Hill, Russell Broomhall, Chris Smith, John Wood, Peter Brooks, Graham Poke, Kathryn Edwards.
1994 Martin Jordan (Chairman), Mike Boss-Walker, Dick McKenna, Jane Rudd, Chris Smith, Peter Brooks, Kathryn Edwards, John Trueman, John Wilkinson, Stan Short, Wayne Haywood, Bev Williams.
1995 Martin Jordan (President), Mike Boss-Walker (Chairman), Peter Brooks, Kathryn Edwards, John Trueman, Stan Short, Wayne Haywood, Bev Williams.
1996 Martin Jordan (President), Mike Boss-Walker (Chairman), Peter Brooks, Stan Short, Wayne Haywood, Carol Muir-Stokes, Craig Brakey, Stephen Hite, Marion Taylor, Martha Ayton, Carol Redman.
1997 Martin Jordan (President), Mike Boss-Walker (Chairman), Peter Brooks, Wayne Haywood, Craig Brakey, Stephen Hite, Marion Taylor, Martha Ayton, Carol Redman.
1998 Martin Jordan (Chairman), Peter Brooks, Wayne Haywood, Craig Brakey, Stephen Hite, Marion Taylor, Terry Ferguson, Graeme Thorp, Narelle Townsend.
1999 Allan Leeson (Interim Chairman), Peter Brooks, Wayne Haywood, Craig Brakey, Stephen Hite, Marion Taylor (Chairman), Terry Ferguson, Graeme Thorp, Jeremy White, David Langmaid, Michael Hardy, David Rogers.
2000 Marion Taylor (Chairman), Allan Leeson (Secretary and Public Officer), Stephen Hite (Race Logistics Officer), Brett Whiteley (Treasurer), Wayne Haywood, Terry Ferguson, Graeme Thorp, Jeremy White, David Langmaid, Michael Hardy, David Rogers.
2001 Marion Taylor (Chairman), Katie Smith (Secretary), Stephen Hite (Race Director), Brett Whiteley (Treasurer), Allan Leeson (Public Officer), Jeremy White (Sponsorship Director), Robert Simpson, Wayne Haywood, Terry Ferguson, Graeme Thorp, Michael Hardy, David Langmaid, David Rogers.
2002 Marion Taylor (Chairman), Katie Smith (Secretary), Stephen Hite (Race Director), Brett Whiteley (Treasurer), Allan Leeson (Public Officer), Jeremy White (Sponsorship Director), Robert Simpson, Rick Ferguson, Wayne Haywood, Terry Ferguson, Graeme Thorp, Michael Hardy, David Rogers.
2003 Marion Taylor (Chairman), Brett Whiteley (Treasurer), Katie Smith (Secretary), Stephen Hite (Race Director), Robert Simpson (Assistant Race Director), Jeremy White (Sponsorship Director), Allan Leeson (Public Officer), Rick Ferguson, Wayne Haywood, Terry Ferguson, Graeme Thorp, David Rogers, Michael Hardy.
2004 Stephen Hite (Chairman), Brett Whiteley (Treasurer), Sheryl de Bomford (Secretary), Robert Simpson (Race Director), Jeremy White (Sponsorship Director), Allan Leeson (Public Officer), Marion Taylor, Rick Ferguson, Wayne Haywood, Terry Ferguson, Graeme Thorp, David Rogers, Michael Hardy.
2005 Stephen Hite (Chairman), Brett Whiteley (Treasurer), Sheryl de Bomford (Secretary), Robert Simpson (Race Director), Jeremy White (Sponsorship Director), Allan Leeson (Public Officer), Marion Taylor, Rick Ferguson, Wayne Haywood, Terry Ferguson, Graeme Thorp, David Rogers, Michael Hardy, Alanna Stretton.
2006 Stephen Hite (Chairman), Brett Whiteley (Treasurer), Sheryl de Bomford (Secretary, Public Officer), Robert Simpson (Race Director), Michael Hardy (Assistant Race Director), Jeremy White (Sponsorship Director), Allan Leeson, Marion Taylor, Rick Ferguson, Wayne Haywood, Terry Ferguson, Graeme Thorp, David Rogers, Alanna Stretton.
2007 Stephen Hite (Chairman), Brett Whiteley (Treasurer), Sheryl de Bomford (Secretary, Public Officer), Robert Simpson (Race Director), Michael Hardy (Assistant Race Director), Allan Leeson, Marion Taylor, Wayne Haywood, Terry Ferguson, Graeme Thorp, David Rogers, Alanna Stretton.
2008 Stephen Hite (Chairman), Brett Whiteley (Treasurer), Sheryl de Bomford (Secretary, Public Officer), Robert Simpson (Race Director), Michael Hardy (Assistant Race Director), Allan Leeson, Marion Taylor, Wayne Haywood, Terry Ferguson, Graeme Thorp, David Rogers, Alanna Stretton, Lucas Bryan.
2009 Stephen Hite (Chairman), Brett Whiteley (Treasurer), Sheryl de Bomford (Secretary, Public Officer), Robert Simpson (Race Director), Michael Hardy (Assistant Race Director), Allan Leeson, Marion Taylor, Wayne Haywood, Terry Ferguson, Brenden Markwell, David Rogers, Alanna Stretton, Lucas Bryan.
2010 Allan Leeson (Chairman), Sheryl deBomford (Secretary/Treasurer/Public Officer), Robert Simpson (Race Director/Deputy Chairman), Michael Hardy (Assistant Race Director), Terry Ferguson, Marion Taylor, Margaret Leeson, Wayne Haywood, David Rogers, Phil Clayton, Fiona Gardam, Gaye Bryan, Alanna Stretton, Lucas Bryan.
2011 Rob Simpson (Race Director) Michael Hardy (Assistant Race Director), Lucas Bryan (Assistant Race Director), Allan Leeson, Terry Ferguson, Marion Taylor, Marg Leeson, Wayne Haywood, David Rogers, Phil Clayton, Fiona Gardam, Gaye Bryan and Alanna Stretton.
2012 Rob Simpson (Race Director), Michael Hardy (Assistant Race Director), Lucas Bryan (Assistant Race Director), Allan Leeson, Terry Ferguson, Marion Taylor, Marg Leeson, Wayne Haywood, David Rogers, Phil Clayton, Fiona Gardam, Gaye Bryan and Alanna Stretton.
2013 Rob Simpson (Race Director) Michael Hardy (Assistant Race Director), Lucas Bryan (Assistant Race Director), Allan Leeson, Terry Ferguson, Marion Taylor, Marg Leeson, Wayne Haywood, David Rogers, Phil Clayton, Fiona Gardam and Gaye Bryan and Alanna Stretton.
2014 Rick Ferguson (Race Director) Michael Hardy (Assistant Race Director), Lucas Bryan (Assistant Race Director), Allan Leeson, Terry Ferguson, Marion Taylor, Marg Leeson, Wayne Haywood, David Rogers, Phil Clayton, Fiona Gardam, Gaye Bryan and Alanna Stretton.
2015 Rick Ferguson (Race Director) Michael Hardy (Assistant Race Director), Lucas Bryan (Assistant Race Director), Allan Leeson, Michael Hardy, Fiona Gardam, Terry Ferguson, Marion Taylor, Marg Leeson, Wayne Haywood, David Rogers, Phil Clayton, Alanna Stretton, Darlene O’Connor and Kim Hayes.
2016 Rick Ferguson (Race Director), Michael Hardy (Assistant Race Director), Lucas Bryan (Assistant Race Director), Allan Leeson, Michael Hardy, Fiona Gardam, Terry Ferguson, Marion Taylor, Marg Leeson, Wayne Haywood, David Rogers, Phil Clayton, Alanna Stretton, Darlene O’Connor and Kim Hayes.
2017 Rick Ferguson (Race Director), Michael Hardy (Assistant Race Director), Lucas Bryan (Assistant Race Director), Allan Leeson, Fiona Gardam, Terry Ferguson, Marion Taylor, Marg Leeson, Wayne Haywood, Phil Clayton, Alanna Stretton, Rob Simpson, Dane Febey and Neville Sweetman.
2018 Rick Ferguson (Race Director), Michael Hardy (Assistant Race Director), Lucas Bryan (Assistant Race Director), Fiona Gardam (Assistant Race Director), Rob Simpson (Assistant Race Director), Allan Leeson, Terry Ferguson, Marion Taylor, Marg Leeson, Wayne Haywood, Phil Clayton, Alanna Stretton, Naomi French, Dane Febey and Neville Sweetman.
2019 Rick Ferguson (Race Director), Michael Hardy (Assistant Race Director), Lucas Bryan (Assistant Race Director), Fiona Innes (Assistant Race Director), Rob Simpson (Assistant Race Director), Terry Ferguson, Marion Taylor, Wayne Haywood, Phil Clayton, Naomi French, Dane Febey and Neville Sweetman.
2021 Richard Welsh (Race Director), Allan Johnson, Mark Smith, Des Hodgetts and Eliza Hesketh.
2022 Richard Welsh (Race Director), Allan Johnson, Mark Smith, Des Hodgetts and Eliza Hesketh.
2023 Richard Welsh (Race Director), Allan Johnson, Mark Smith, Des Hodgetts, Eliza Hesketh, Ricky Aitken and Jenny Cox.