Russell Forrestal

Russell Forrestal (S1061) completed 12 Melbournes between 1978 and 2011. Russell passed away in 2016, and his daughter Natina is running her first Melbourne Marathon in her father’s honour. Russell’s widow Noelene contacted the club because she wanted to give Natina Russell’s first finisher’s medal, but the 1983 medal was the first she could find. John Dean’s research discovered that 1983 was actually the first year that a finisher’s medal was presented. The committee decided to present Noelene and Natina with a copy of “The Wall” which has been signed by President Jay Fleming, Immediate Past President John Dean and committee member David Foskey.

David, Noelene, Natina and John are pictured in front of the Expo tent.

 

 

 

 

 

2018 Photos

Natina duly completed the 2018 marathon, and the following photographs were taken after the race.

Natina with John Dobson at the finish. Note that she is wearing Russell’s medal from 1983

Ray Cilia, David Foskey and Natina Townley outside the Spartans tent.


Historical Photos – 1983

Noelene was kind enough to send us a selection of photos taken during Russell’s Melbourne Marathon history.

By 1983 buses had replaced trains transporting runners from Melbourne to Frankston.

Russell during the run

Russell’s brother in law, John Scollary, in the red singlet.

Russell after finishing with his 1983 medal. His time was 3:06:22. This was his fifth Melbourne Marathon. He had moved to the Gold Coast in 1982 and became heavily involved with the Gold Coast marathon which he ran ten times.

Relaxing after the finish

Russell’s next Melbourne – 1990

The 1990 start.

Russell’s time was 3:34:01.

1998 and 2009

Russell is runner 1132. His time was 3:22:57

2009 was Russell’s tenth Melbourne, and his first in a Spartan singlet. Time was 5:33:08

Russell’s running mate in 2009 was Diana McKenzie.