The pair went stride-for-stride throughout what is essentially the Carcoar Cup’s 10 kilometre sprint event, such is the pace runners hit the road with, to finish in the top three overall.

Irishman Ciaran Faherty took line honours with a time of 33 minutes and 22 seconds, but not far behind were both Gallen and Gustard, stopping the clock at 35:07 and 35:45 respectively.

Gallen, 25, took part in last year’s half marathon but said the 10km run in 2018 was brutal in comparison to the third longest distance the Carcoar Cup dishes up.

“It was really tough … I think there’s more shade on the half marathon course than there is on the 10k,” the Windsor-based runner said.

“I feel like this was just as hard, but Hayley pushed me the whole way. I had to keep the prizemoney in my head the whole way to get me through,” she laughed.

Gallen said she felt strongest when tackling the ascents throughout the course.

Which was a common theme across all winners and races.

Jacob Norton had never been to Carcoar before Sunday’s dash event, but managed to battle the relentless up-hill climbs to take out the six kilometre run.

“It was a great race, the hardest I’ve done,” he said.

“It was six kilometres but felt a lot longer.”

Hailing from the northern beaches, Norton said he only decided to run in the Carcoar Cup after his parents registered for the 2018 event.

His mother, Lindsay, finished the half marathon in third place while Alan Norton tackled the 10km run, clocking a time of 51:37.

“It was kind of last minute. My parents entered and I thought may as well come along as well.” 

Ryan Wells won the well-supported Carcoar Cup for kids.