Running Down Sturt Street: Jono’s Grit and Good Times at the Ballarat Marathon

Jono Conway-Stewart signed up with Run2PB to be coached by Zacca Newman with a goal of running 2:45 for the marathon. An ex footballer who had a tendancy to struggle with consistency, he was keen to get into a structured build up and chase a marathon PB at the Ballarat Marathon.

A Different Kind of Build-Up

Jono’s journey to the Ballarat Marathon wasn’t textbook. Leading into race week, he was managing a niggling calf and a less-than-traditional training block. Unlike previous marathons where he’d tapered with high mileage and felt “too fresh,” this time he focused on consistency and careful management, with some weeks featuring just one key session and others a down week to stay healthy. Despite the uncertainty, he trusted his team and the process, drawing confidence from standout workouts like a 3x6km session at Albert Park and a strong park run effort in the lead-up.

Settling In: The Early Miles

On race day, Jono didn’t feel amazing from the gun. It took a few kilometers to warm up and shake off doubts. Once settled, he found himself running comfortably, having to consciously hold back the pace to avoid getting carried away. He ran the first half in just under 1:21, feeling strong and in control, sticking with a small group that ticked off kilometers at a steady 3:50 pace.

The Ballarat Course: Beauty and Challenge

The Ballarat Marathon, with its historic buildings and tight-knit community, offered a unique atmosphere. Jono loved the event’s character-from the deafening starting musket to the finish line hub on Sturt Street, where the crowd was right up close, cheering runners by name.

The course itself, especially the loops around Lake Wendouree, was both scenic and mentally taxing. The wind, particularly on the exposed sections of the lake, became a factor as the race wore on.

The Second Lap: Solitude and Mental Battles

After halfway, the race changed. Most of Jono’s group peeled off, having run the half marathon, leaving him and a couple of others to face the second lap largely alone. The wind picked up, and the sameness of the lakeside scenery played tricks on his mind-“I thought I’d finished the lap about seven times,” he joked.

The real test came around 33-36km, where fatigue and the headwind combined for the toughest stretch. Jono broke the challenge into smaller goals: “Just get to the next K, the next landmark.”

A brief, animated encounter with cars on the course at 39km provided an unexpected distraction and a burst of adrenaline. From there, he turned onto Sturt Street for the final run home.

The Finish: Community and Satisfaction

The last kilometers were a blur of noise and support.

“Running down Sturt Street at the end, with all those people yelling your name, is a really, really cool feeling,” Jono recalled.

He stopped looking at his watch, running the final stretch by feel and soaking up the atmosphere. The finish area, with its festival vibe and close-knit crowd, capped off the experience.

Reflections: Why Ballarat Stands Out

For Jono, Ballarat was special-not just for the performance, but for the event itself. He compared it to bigger marathons like Melbourne, noting that while running into the MCG is spectacular, the intimacy and energy of Ballarat’s finish line, and the way the whole

community gets involved, made it one of his favorite races. The organization, the support, and the chance to celebrate with friends and family right at the finish made it memorable.

He’s already thinking about next year, eager to return to the event that’s quickly becoming a “best kept secret” in Australian running.

Gear Talk

For those curious, Jono ran with a Garmin Forerunner 965 and raced in Nike Alphafly 3s, rotating through a collection of daily trainers and super shoes in training.

He’s even joked about getting a steel-capped version for work.

Final Thoughts

Jono’s Ballarat Marathon was a testament to resilience, smart training, and the power of community. It wasn’t just about the time on the clock, but about putting together a solid block, overcoming doubts, and enjoying a race that’s as much about people as it is about running. Ballarat, with its charm and support, delivered an experience he-and many others-won’t soon forget!

Coach Zacca Newman's Reaction:

I am super proud of Jono's commitment in the block, he handled the workload well and put together some great sessions, the last few weeks were a rollerscoaster but with the help of James Telford and some careful management to get to the start line he was able to deliver a massive PB and there is more ahead for Jono!

Listen to Jono featured on the latest episode of Better with Running Podcast.

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