THIS week’s Yarra Ranges Athletics Cross Country events will be long remembered as ‘Mums Day Out’ due to outstanding performances by four mums.
The venue was Margaret Lewis Reserve, Coldstream, and the fine weather meant the scene was set for these warriors who had been putting in extra work to be rewarded with big personal bests.
Erika Bedyn, Katie Clark and Kate Van Duuren all powered through the fast three kilometre course while Laura Digregorio pushed the limits in the two-kilometre race.
These mums are an inspiration to all who watched them but, more importantly, they inspire their children.
With the senior runners on AV duties the remaining runners took the opportunity to have their time in the sun with most enjoying being higher up in the finishing order and most children saluted with personal bests.
Meanwhile the senior athletes from Yarra Ranges competed in the round three of the Athletics Victoria XCR season held at Brimbank Park, featuring the infamous Col de Brimbank.
The first race of the day was the under 14 men’s and women’s and under 20 women’s event over four kilometres.
Yarra Ranges picked up another win as Lily Peacock won her second consecutive gold in this year’s individual XCR races in a quick time of 14.25.
Other exceptional efforts in the 14 women’s were to Brooke Mullins (sixth) in a time of 15.34, Ruby Dixon (14th) in a time of 16.25 and Lee Taylor (25th) with a time of 20.38.
In the 14 men’s, Yarra Ranges had Harrison Van Duuren and Ryan Thrall compete with both achieving excellent results.
Harrison placed eighth with a time of 15.00 and Ryan placed 19th with a time of 16.26.
Emilie Harrison (20 women’s) was the oldest athlete competing in the four kilometre event, clocking a very good time of 22.17 and placing 22nd.
The next event was the men’s 16 and 20 and women’s 16 and 18 event over six kilometres.
This race was the first to conquer the famous Col de Brimbank and had athletes running across almost all areas of the park.
Yarra Ranges had yet another quality field of athletes taking on the challenging but enjoyable course.
In the 16 women’s Britney Allen (14th) ran a fast time of 29.07 over the challenging, varied terrain.
The 16 men’s had James Laven and Connor Thrall compete.
James placed 10th with a time of 22.45 and Connor placed 19th with a time of 25.57.
The 18 women’s race featured Olivia Twining earn her eighth place and a time of 28.14.
The open women’s six kilometre’s race featured excellent running and a bit of drama as Sue McCall and Amanda Branson represented Yarra Ranges in a very good race, supported by the cheer squad from the Yarra Ranges.
Branson achieved a time of 27.48, a gallant effort after sustaining an injury mid-race and McCall ran an excellent race achieving a very good time of 33.11.
The open men’s race ran a challenging 16 kilometres course that featured the Col de Brimbank not once, but twice.
A large team of Yarra Ranges athletes fronted the club in a race with an electric atmosphere.
The crowds flooded to the Col, to watch as the men ran.
Michael Clarke was first home from Yarra Ranges with a fast time of 1.05.32, next was Bryan Ackerly with a time of 1.07.01, followed by Dave Sands with a running time of 1.13.52, Jamie Strudley ran in at 1.17.02, followed by Jed Thrall who ran 1.18.34.
Dave Laven was next to finish at 1.19.35 on the clock, followed by Craig Hewitson recording a time of 1.25.40 followed by Mark Beavis running 1.35.33.
Yarra Ranges Athletics returns on Saturday 7 June for round nine Cross Country at Lilydale Lake from 8.45am.
Newcomers are welcome.
For more information visit yarrarangesathletics.org.au.
