Craig Bramley vying to post a sub-three hour marathon time in Moyne Shire run

But that doesn't mean he won't try.

The 52-year-old, who planned to tackle both the Gold Coast and Melbourne marathons before the COVID-19 pandemic struck, will instead settle for a south-west course on September 20.

Bramley, who qualified for the second round of invitations to the 2021 Boston Marathon this past year, has maintained a strict training regimen through stage three restrictions and is determined to crack the three-hour barrier.

"It's just driving yourself. I believe there's only one per cent of the marathon-running population who can run under three hours," he said.

"I've gone 'this is just out of this world'. It's probably easier to fly to the moon to be honest. At (my age), trying to go under three hours (is crazy).

"I've only done the one full marathon which was three hours and 20 minutes last year and that qualified me for Boston.

"I was asking myself 'what is achieveable?' and I thought I'd go with three hours. That sounds like a good number."

Bramley doubted he could post a sub-three hour time at the start of the year but as time progressed, his confidence grew.

"My body has become more adaptable to speed and I've dropped about 15 kilograms over nine months," he said.

"I started to think I could give this a real crack. I can't say that I'm on track, but it looks probable, more than likely.

"I did run a half marathon in June which was under one hour and 25 minutes and that equates to less than three-hour marathon pace.

"You crunch those equations and sort of think 'three hours is pretty doable'."

Bramley's south-west marathon - which he'll start from the Port Fairy Rail Station - will travel along the rail trail to Koroit before heading back to Port Fairy.

It will include a final loop around Port Fairy to complete the 42.195-kilometre distance.

Bramley thanked Warrnambool Athletics Club members Ben Wallis - who will pace his run - and Mark Gavin for their support.

The Fonterra engineering manager said Warrnambool Athletics Club members were welcome to join the run in a socially-distanced manner.

He said the rail trail track meant minimal contact with people and was a safe option.

Bramley said the run depended on regional Victoria returning to stage two coronavirus restrictions. The current stage three restrictions will expire on September 13.

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