Brett Robinson broke Rob De Castella’s marathon record in Japan.Credit:Getty Images
Robinson cut 20 seconds from De Castella’s record of 2:07.51 set in Boston in 1986 as he finished fourth in the 42.2-kilometre race,just his eighth marathon,in Japan.
Hours later in Valencia,Spain,45-year-old Diver broke Benita Willis’ long-standing record by more than a minute,clocking 2:21:34. The Melbourne-based,Irish-born runner also cut nearly three minutes from her personal best.
“I have wanted this for so long and I wasn’t sure if I was good enough to get it. I’ve had a few goes at it now,this was my third crack at it and every time I line up,it takes a lot. Things have to really fall into place so I’m beyond delighted that it’s happened,” Diver said.
“Benita is Australia’s best runner of all time,so it’s an honour to now have this record. I couldn’t be prouder today.”
On an extraordinary day in Australian sport,when the Socceroos enraptured the country with their round of 16 match at the World Cup,and theAustralian Test team retained the Frank Worrell trophy, the marathoners delivered statement performances starting with Robinson’s effort to break the long-standing record of an Australian icon.
“It’s such a great feeling. I’ve gone for this record a few times now,and it’s funny – I always talk about going for it before a race but I didn’t mention it to anyone this time around. I went about my own business and I finally got it. I knew I was capable of it,” Robinson said.