20 years on: The record that still defines The Tan
Twenty years ago, in late 2006, the Tan Track witnessed something it has never forgotten.
Craig Mottram didn’t just run fast — he set a standard.
10 minutes. 8 seconds.
Two decades later, it still stands.
The Day It Happened
The record wasn’t set in a traditional race.
It came during an official Richmond Football Club Tan Time Trial — a pre-season hit-out designed to test fitness, pressure, and performance.
Mottram gave the Richmond players a three-minute head start. Then he went after them.
With official timing in place and, the objective was clear: beat his previous best of 10:12.
What unfolded was more than a time trial.
It was a perfectly executed run — controlled early, aggressive over the top, and relentless to the line.
When he crossed the finish, the clock read 10:08.
A new benchmark had been set.
Why It Still Stands
The Tan Track is relentless:
It looks simple. But it isn’t.
- The climb up Anderson Street exposes you
- The rhythm constantly shifts
- The course punishes hesitation
“Records like this don’t last 20 years by accident. The Tan exposes you — and Craig got everything right that day.”
— Darren Templeton, Founder, Run the Tan
On that day in 2006, everything aligned.
And that’s why it has endured.
More Than a Record
What makes The Tan different is that it belongs to everyone.
Elite athletes.
Club runners.
First-timers.
Most have run it.
All understand it.
Mottram’s 10:08 isn’t just a time — it’s a reference point.
A benchmark that thousands of runners measure themselves against every day of the year.
Run the Tan: Where It All Comes Together
That’s what makes Run the Tan unique.
It’s one of the only public events that gives runners the chance to:
- Race the Tan
- Record an official time
- Test themselves on the same course as the best
- All in support of raising awareness and vital funds for local mental health charities.
From elite fields to first-timers, everyone faces the same challenge:
One lap. One hill. No hiding.
2026: The Question Returns
As Run the Tan 2026 approaches on April 26, the question comes back into focus:
Can it be broken?
Australia now has a new generation of middle-distance talent.
Faster. Deeper. More competitive than ever.
“To run fast on the Tan, you have to be brave. There’s nowhere to hide.”
The opportunity is there. But 20 years on… it still hasn’t happened.
Still The Standard
The course hasn’t changed.
The challenge hasn’t changed.
And the name at the top hasn’t changed.
For now, Craig Mottram remains the benchmark. But every year, the chase continues.
👉 Register now for Run the Tan 2026
Be part of the next chapter.