Records and Fast times Goulburn to Sydney Classic

finish @ enfield

in 1890 captain mark long set record 137 miles (220 km) in 18½ hours. there flurry of attempts in 20th century, successful attempts being charlie orr in 10hrs 38 , p allssoff 10hrs 28, c melrose 10hr 22½ , g e green amateur record 11hrs 2 , somerville 9hr 45 .

littlechild, in winning 1902 race, beat graeme s 1896 race record ashfield , continued on gpo in 8hrs 20 30 eclipse sommerville s record.

the record sydney gpo not appear have been broken since 1930s, professional record being 6hrs 57 56 set frankie thomas in 1932 part of ride canberra sydney. amateur record last set @ 5hrs 47 4 in 1937 charles winterbottom. since 1937 speed record attempt on public streets in nsw required approval of commissioner of police.

there have been many changes road surface, road alignment, distance, direction , finishing location trying identify race record exercise in semantics. following of more notable times. in professional ranks, don kirkham s time of 6hr 19 ashfield in 1911 not eclipsed until percy osborn s ride of 6hrs 2m 50s in 1927. osborn s time of 5hrs 56 40 enfield first race time under 6 hours. 1935 race time enfield reduced 5hrs 2 31 joseph buckley nsw , h p veitch victoria in dead heat. first under 5 hours kerry hoole in 1965 milperra goulburn in first of 4 consecutive fastest times.

in amateur ranks, ern pedersen s time of 6hr 24 30 in 1913 second don kirkham s professional time in 1911 , not beaten until 1927 when richard fatty lamb continued on ashfield. first amateur under 6 hours edgar johns in 1930 time of 5hrs 46 10 5 years later charles winterbottom had lowered race time 5hrs 05 13 in second of 3 consecutive fastest times. first amateur under 5 hours david watson in 1969 time of 4hrs 57 20 milperra goulburn route.

in open era, brett dutton set fastest time of 3hrs 40 34 liverpool. camden finish, including lap of razorback, fastest time of richard lang in 2009 in 3hrs 45 31