With the rain holding off last Sunday, the weather was perfect for the 42km ordeal, set in the magnificent Flinders Ranges.

People travelled from as far as New Zealand to compete in the event.

With the race starting at 7.30am, contenders made their way along National Highway One through to Stirling North and on to Quorn.

A record number of 53 competitors ran the full marathon; a number organiser Nic Boully said was great for the region.

“It’s the only marathon out of Adelaide (in the State), so it’s great to see so many people getting involved,” he said.

In all, 394 competitors took to the road, competing in the full and half marathon, as well as the 10.5km walk or run.

Mr Boully said the event had doubled in size in the last three years.

“It’s becoming a known event on the calendar, and we’re hoping for numbers to go up next year as well.”

He said the conditions on the day were perfect for such an event.

“Everyone from out of town commended the area, and said how green it was looking,” Mr Boully said.

Although no one broke the three-hour mark, the race saw a competition evolve between the front contenders, with less than a two minute gap between first and second placing.

Woodside runner Mark Bloomfield took out the full marathon with a time of three hours, four minutes and 15 seconds.

Local Yilma Woldgabriel was close behind on three hours, six minutes and four seconds.

Mr Boully said along with the help of many volunteers, the event was a success, “and hopefully it got people interested in the region as well”.

A couple of participants were hospitalised with fatigue but Mr Boully said the event otherwise went smoothly.

Results, page 2.