Ken Tomczak has become the first person to win the prestigious W.R. Somerford Marathon ten times. In one of the closest races ever run, Ken took the lead from Jono Stock only a couple of hundred metres from the line to win by just a few seconds.

Conditions were good for racing, with a light easterly taking the edge off a hot day and a long solid bank for the wade leg.

Jono Stock made his intentions clear from the start with a hard swim and a clear lead out of the water for the run north to the Floreat drain. Ken Tomczak wasn't far behind, though, and most expected that it wouldn't be long before Ken would be in front.

By the half-way point as the field went back past the clubrooms, though, the lead pack was Jono Stock, Duncan Jacob and James Cohen, with Ken in fourth and not appearing to have made up any ground at all since leaving the water.

The sandhills in the second half of the race always take a heavy toll on competitors, and it was here that Jono faltered last year, losing touch with the leaders on the very first hill. This time around, however, it was Jono's turn to shake off his chasers and he was out on his own as he started the long run home along the water's edge.

But Ken had also been picking up the pace, overtaking first James then Duncan and having Jono in his sights for the final leg.

With the long open run that finishes this race, the chaser always has the advantage of being able to clearly see exactly where the person in front is, while the leader can only keep on going, not knowing exactly if or how fast anyone is catching up.

Ken timed his run perfectly, taking the lead for the first time in the race barely a hundred metres south of the City groyne. With just the short, uphill soft sand sprint to the finish line remaining, Jono couldn't produce the burst required and Ken crossed the line first for the tenth time.

Ken has now won the race more times than anyone, beating Warren Somerfords record of nine career wins. He has also won nine in a row now, a record that may never be broken.

With defending champion Alison O'Toole not racing this year the first female competitor across the line was Fiona Doney, while Harry Whitehand was the first Under 15 in.

Placings*
	First	Ken Tomczak
	Second	Jono Stock
	Third	Duncan Jacob
	First Female	Fiona Doney
	First U/15	Harry Whitehand
* all placings are subject to members completing patrol and other membership requirements

Click on photos for full size version

They're off and racing!	Heading north	The half-way leaders
First	Second	Third

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