By Jamie Strudley
A beautiful day on Saturday greeted Yarra Ranges’ four Little Athletics teams and the eight senior teams as they converged on the fast, flat racecourse at Sandown Park to compete alongside the state’s best athletes.
As Victoria’s only dual affiliated club, the day is especially exciting for Yarra Ranges Athletics as this is the only event where LAVIC and Athletics Victoria combine to bring a fantastic day of racing.
Congratulations went to the club’s three teams who achieved a podium position – the under-12 girls, under-16 girls and under-20 men.
Results:
1500m under-9 girls – 9th Willow Naismith 6.16, Eloise Stevenson 10.05, Tori Kincaid 6.55
1500m under-10 boys – 14th Mitch Pointon 5.47, Finn Rossthorn 6.13, Tait Whelan 6.41
1500m under-10 girls – 6th Zoe Clarke 5.26, Caitlyn Pointon 7.41, Kahlia Da Costa 7.00
2000m under-12 girls – 2nd Scarlett Wilson 7.59, Kaylah Cannon 8.26, Aemelia Stevenson 7.57
Under-16 men 3 x 3.1km – 8th Angus Norman 10.20, Tom Fellow 11.26, Zac Clarke 12.14
Under-16 women 3 x 3.1km – 2nd Mia Strudley 11.31, Jemima Wilson 12.50, Madeline Laven 11.33
Under-18 men 3 x 3.1km – 6th Harrison van Duuren 9.56, Camden Hewitson 11.18, Liam Russell 11.39
Under-20 men 3 x 6.2km – 1st James Laven 19.52, Max Savill-Bentley 20.36, Harry Norman 19.18
Women division 2 4 x 6.2km – 9th Georgia Laven 24.21, Olivia Twining 26.07, Katie Clarke 32.35, Erica Bedyn 32.01
Men division 3 5 x 6.2km – 6th Caleb McInnes 21.30, Calvin Amos 21.30, Liam Gietzmann 24.29, Paul Todd 22.19, Michael Clarke 24.06
Men division 5 4 x 6.2km – 5th Ash Bennett 20.26, Craig Hewitson 29.11, Jamie Strudley 26.09, Brian Ackerly 27.55
Men division 7 4 x 6.2km – 9th Mike Willey 27.08, Connor Thrall 24.14, Jayden Clarke 28.55, Malcolm Duncan 34.58
Congratulations also went to other Yarra Ranges Athletics club members competing in events around the country.
Kellie Emerson was the first female in the Brisbane 110km TrailUltra marathon, running an amazing 11 hours 57 minutes.
James Anderson and Graham Coutts braved 98 per cent humidity during the Gold Coast Marathon.
James ran a two-minute personal best to finish in 2 hours 54 minutes 38 seconds and Graham recorded 3 hours 27 minutes 50 seconds.
The club’s regular Saturday morning cross country was held at Lillydale Lake on Saturday morning.
There was another fantastic turnout of eager cross country athletes of all ages bringing the lake to life.
Next weekend is the club’s Handicap Day at Margaret Lewis Reserve, a favourite event for many as the staggered start makes for exciting finishes.
The club welcomes all athletes of any age or ability.
For information on training, how to join or trial, photos, results and updated news, visit yarrarangesathletics.org.au.
