WAGGA athlete Jared Kahlefeldt continued his family's remarkable association with the Lake To Lagoon Fun Run yesterday by earning his initial podium finish.
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In a running-career highlight, Kahlefeldt chased home the Fun Run fabulous four-time champion James Davy to be second across the line.
The brother of Commonwealth Games gold-medal triathlon hero Brad Kahlefeldt, Jared has been a regular competitor in Wagga's greatest athletic event and was fifth behind Lachlan Chisholm in the 2014 edition
Significantly, the Lake To Lagoon Fun Run has been part of the Kahlefeldt family's sporting heritage for decades.
Jared's parents, Paul and Carmel Kahlefeldt, were regular Fun Run competitors for years, and sibling Brad eclipsed the title before embarking on his magnificent international triathlon odyssey.
The Kahlefeldt clan's history with the wonderful Wagga Fun Run reached another milestone yesterday when Jared claimed a top three placing for the first time.
And later there was definitely no hiding his delight.
"I'm stoked," Kahlefeldt said.
"It's been a terrific morning.
"I'm absolutely wrapped."
For Kahlefeldt, the desire to get on the podium for the first time was motivation to "go out hard" in the opening two kilometres yesterday.
"I was running with James (Davy) and feeling good," Kahlefeldt said.
"Then all of sudden he put the hammer down and left me.
"I could still see him all the way, but he was well out in front."
Likewise, Kahlefeldt had a mid-race dice with third-placed Ryan Miller before striding away in the final stages to put a 36-second gap on his fellow-runner.
Despite rising from fifth in 2013 to second this year, Kahlefeldt recorded 18 seconds slower time than he last year, finishing in 34 minutes 47 seconds, or two minutes six seconds behind Davy.
On a day when 2148 runners, walkers and bikers hit the 10 kilometres circuit, Wagga's Rob Sharpe probably made the biggest impression on all concerned.
A member of Wagga Road Runners, Sharpe donned a Spiderman suit to complete the event in 38.42 seconds, finishing ninth.
Speaking to The Daily Advertiser later, Sharpe said running in superhero attire had been a taxing experience.
"It was very hot," Sharpe said.
"I still enjoyed it. There was a lot of cheering along the way."
Wagga mayor Rod Kendall again took part in the Fun Run, pedaling the 10km on his trusty bike.
