First Games Record Broken!
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The First Games record was broken yesterday by none other than the legendary Debbie Page.
Debbie took on the 10 km road walk, aiming to surpass the previous record in the over-65 category. She was thrilled with her achievement, having reached a personal goal she had set for herself before the competition.
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Debbie set her sights high before the 10 km road walk, researching the NT Masters record held by Darwin walker Ruth Garden with a time of 1:23:01. “I’ve just returned to walking and thought, ‘I reckon I can do that,’” she said.
It was a beautiful morning at John Flynn’s Grave, with plenty of walkers taking part. Debbie, who holds the 55-59 age group 10 km road walking record from 2016, isn’t slowing down in her new category. Competing in a total of 15 events, she’s already setting her sights on her next challenge.
“I’m aiming for the 5 km record, which stands at 38 minutes, but I reckon I can beat that,” she said. “I’ll give it a go. I’ve missed the Masters, so I’m doing as much as I can.”
Watch out, because Debbie is on a mission to break the over-65 records! Be sure to catch her in one of the many events she’s competing in!
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Many stars have participated at the Alice Springs Masters Games including former Olympian John Landy, rugby union hero Mark Ella, former Test cricket captain Ian Chappell, legend guitarist from Cold Chisel, Ian Moss, and former Brisbane Bears and Brisbane Lions AFL player Darryl White.
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Running Ties: Three in One
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At the 2008 Alice Springs Masters Games, the 10 km run made history with a remarkable three-way tie for the outright gold.
Runners Eli Melky, Richard Bryson, and Stephen Blake crossed the finish line together in a time of 38:38. Road and Cross Country Coordinator Jenny Richter explained that the timekeepers were unable to separate the runners.
“We tried to determine who crossed the line first, but we couldn’t; they crossed together,” she said. “It was clear they intended to finish together. I think it’s great—it truly reflects the spirit of the Games.”
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Eli and Richard, both competing in the 40-44 age category, were in direct competition, while Stephen ran in the 45-49 age group. Canadian runner Steve Sullivan finished second overall with a time of 40:52, and Victoria’s Ken Jones took third with a time of 42:46.
In the women’s division, Kylie Lucas from Victoria was the first to cross the line, finishing in 43:22. She was followed by Cheryl Carter from South Australia at 44:09, and Sharyn Hunter from Victoria at 44:59.
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Keep an eye on our socials for real-time updates to sporting schedules. Some events may be affected by the hotter-than-usual temperatures, so make sure you check them regularly for any changes and important announcements!
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Red Shirts: The Heart of Sports Medicine
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If you’ve attended the Alice Springs Masters Games before, you’ll recognise the bright red shirts seen in every sport. These red shirts belong to the sports medicine volunteers, who ensure your well-being throughout the competition.
Debbie Heller has been volunteering with Sports Medicine at the Games for over a decade, and this year, she’s leading the team of volunteers. She was excited to welcome many new medical officers, along with some veterans like Graham, who has been volunteering since 2000.
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Lisa, Julie, Graham, Suzy, Deb and Lou began their shifts at the mountain biking race on Saturday bright and early at 6am.
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Deb kicked off her duties with the mountain biking race on Saturday morning, a sport she’s been connected to for many years. “I’ve been part of the mountain biking group for a long time, and being a medical officer was my way of giving back,” she said.
Deb is well-known in Alice Springs and at the Masters for instilling confidence in riders and always being there, with a running joke of ‘just ring Deb, she’ll meet you’. At the last Games, some competitors kept riding forward instead of turning back, because they knew that Deb was at the next stop, ready to patch them up.
When Deb asked why they didn’t ride back, they replied, “we knew you’d be here. We know if we just got here, we’d be safe.”
“Sometimes, people aren’t confident enough to do the sport, but knowing we’re there helps them give it a go,” she said.
“The best thing is when they finish the competition without an injury, and they’re so glad they did it.”
The red shirts will definitely get you ready for transport if it’s a bigger injury, but in many ways, they are a safety blanket for participants to overcome the mental challenge of the sport.
The biggest risks at the Alice Springs Masters are fatigue, heatstroke, dehydration, hay fever, bronchial spasms, and asthma. So, when you see a red shirt, reach out to them and tell them what you need—whether it’s fluids or a rest in the shade.
We’re all here to have fun, and although a few scrapes and falls are expected, we can confidently say that the mountain biking event finished with no injuries to report.
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Hip, Hip Hooray! Six Masters Celebrate Today
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Today we celebrate the birthdays of six incredible Masters! Be sure to send your love, best wishes, and hoorays—whether on the court, field, or cheering from the sidelines—for these wonderful athletes:
Angela Harrison Leanne O’Connor Alan Robinson Alison Kain Megan Nelson Sharon Hayes
Let’s make their special day one to remember!
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A complimentary transport service is available for all accredited participants at the 2024 Alice Springs Masters Games.
Operating Hours: 7:30am to 8:00pm daily To Book: Call 8951 5611
Advance bookings are preferred, but not required.
Take advantage of this free service to get around during the Games!
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It was an action-packed weekend, and these photos bring to life the dynamic spirit and energy of the Games so far. From relaxed moments to sporting highlights, each snapshot showcases the excitement and camaraderie that make this event unforgettable.
Explore the full image gallery at the link below.
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Share your photos or fun stories on social media with the hashtag #ASMG2024 or send them to 0436 964 696.
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Alice Springs Masters Games is delivered by Northern Territory Major Events Company. To find out what other amazing experiences we create, visit www.ntmajorevents.com.au
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Acknowledgement of Country Alice Springs Masters Games respectfully acknowledges the past, present and emerging Traditional Owners of the beautiful land on which we live, work and gather. We respect the cultural practices and traditions of our hosts, recognise the importance of sustainably caring for our country, and commit to being respectful visitors to traditional lands.
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