State Government supports trip to Kobe marathon

Colin Barnett
Premier; Minister for State Development

Two Western Australian marathon runners will be sponsored by the State Government to represent WA at the Kobe Marathon, to be run on 20th November. Both the 2010 State Marathon Champion, Tina Major (37 of Gwelup), and 2011 State Marathon Champion Todd Ingraham (37 of West Perth) have been awarded a $5,000 grant, enabling them to compete in the prestigious Japanese event.

“Sport and recreation has the power to bring people together and cement relationships,” Mr Barnett said. “This year is the 30th anniversary of the Western Australia Hyogo Prefecture Sister State relationship and this award to Tina and Todd will ensure WA is well represented at this prestigious event for Kobe and Hyogo.” The inaugural Kobe Marathon has attracted a full field of 18,000 runners, and promises to become a major event on the international marathon calendar.

Tina Major said she was thrilled and honoured to be asked to represent WA and be an ambassador for the State. “The Japanese people are so welcoming and I would love to persuade some of them to come over here to see our great State.”

Todd Ingraham thanked the State Government for its support. “The Kobe trip has really fired me up. I am excited about the prospect of the journey and look forward to representing Perth and WA over in Hyogo Prefecture,” Mr Ingraham said.