Serious athletes in Western Sydney are being targeted to take part in the inaugural 42.195 kilometre 'Westlink M7 Cities Marathon' on Sunday, July 30, 2006.

The new marathon for Western Sydney has already attracted over 50 participants from across Australia and internationally, who will run along the Westlink M7's Shared Pathway which runs parallel to the Westlink M7 Motorway. Starting in Liverpool the route will take runners along the Pathway to a point some 30 km along the pathway when it will turn back and continue to the finish line at the Athletics Centre, Blacktown Olympic Park in Rooty Hill.

Legendary Marathon competitor Steve Moneghetti, the former Australian Marathon Champion will be a special guest on the day.

Blacktown City Council in conjunction with Westlink M7 Motorway, Liverpool and Fairfield City Council's have been working tirelessly for the past 6 months towards making the new marathon a success.

"Blacktown City Council previously hosted one of Australia's longest running Marathon, 'The Blacktown Cities Marathon', which had been held annually for 23 years until safety concerns and costs forced the abandonment of the Marathon in 2003," Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Leo Kelly, OAM said.

"The 40 kilometre Westlink Cycleway and Walking Path is a great opportunity to re-instate a Western Sydney based Marathon as an annual event", Mayor Kelly said.

"We are confident of getting a large number of runners and are excited at the prospects of building a unique, internationally recognised Marathon over the next few years," Mayor Kelly concluded.

The General Manager of Westlink M7, Mr Flan Cleary, said that the Westlink Cycleway and Walking Path provided the perfect piece of infrastructure for holding a successful marathon.

"The Westlink Cycleway and Walking Path provides an uninterrupted 40 km trip between the M5 and Old Windsor Road. The fact that it is separated from traffic and has its own bridges across local roads and the M4 Motorway makes it an ideal marathon route," Mr Cleary said.

The precise route to be taken by the marathon will start at 6.30am from Ash Road Sports Field, Prestons and will travel along the Westlink M7 shared pathway until Rickard Road, Quakers Hill (turnaround point). Participants will then head back exiting at the pedestrian and cycle underpass north of the main western railway line, Rooty Hill that leads back through Nurragingy Reserve to the finish line at Blacktown Olympic Park's Athletics Facility on Eastern Road, Rooty Hill.

Entry into the Marathon is $50 per person (entrants must be over the age of 18 years old). Entry forms, course maps and race information can be accessed on www.citiesmarathon.com.au or by phoning Council on 9839 6000.