By Jamie Strudley
Yarra Ranges Athletics senior team travelled to St Anne’s Winery in Myrniong on Saturday for round eight of XCR23. Warm, windy but dry conditions greeted the team as they prepared for the challenging courses around the St Anne’s farmland. Many of the “legs” had some steep, rocky ups and downs providing an additional challenge to athletes. Standout performances came from our Div 2 Women’s team (third), Women’s U20 (second) and the Women’s Div 4 team finishing first. Our open men’s team found the competition very tough finishing a close sixth, only a few seconds from fourth. Results are:
Women
Div 2 25.3km Ekiden: 3rd – 1.52.07
Olivia Twining: 31:36 (7.7km), Georgia Laven: 32:43 (6.9km), Grace Muller: 29:04 (6km), Brigitte Rice: 18:44 (4.7km)
Div 4 19.3km Ekiden: 1st 1.39.49
Bonnie Morris: 39:55 (7.7km), Elisabeth Coffey: 37:07 (6.9km), Brienna Coffey: 22:47 (4.7km)
Women Under 20 17.6km Ekiden: 2nd 1.21.24
Rori Jones: 34:58 (6.9km), Zoe Clarke: 27:27 (6km), Madeline Laven: 18:59 (4.7km)
Men
Div 2 39.7km Ekiden: 6th 2.34.11
James Laven: 30:29 (8.4km), Harry Norman: 26:36 (7.7km), Max Savill-Bentley: 24:50 (6.9km), Chris Grundy: 27:25 (6km), Matthew Morrison: 25:09 (6km), Jared Byrne: 19:42 (4.7km)
Div 6 25.3km Ekiden: 6th 1.55.55
Graham Coutts: 36:25 (7.7km), Jared Byrne: 33:00 (6.9km), Logan Dutton: 27:33 (6km), Liam Russell: 18:57 (4.7km)
Div 7 24.4km Ekiden: 6th 2.12.56
Bryan Ackerly: 39:45 (7.7km), Craig Hewitson: 40:40 (6.9km), Jamie Strudley: 32:11 (6km), Bryan Ackerly 20.20 (3.8km)
Good luck to our three club members representing Victoria at the Australian Open and All Schools Cross Country Championship in Canberra this coming Weekend. Watch the socials for the results from Maddie Laven (Women U20), Brigette Rice (Women U17) and Bradley McMeeken Men U17 Para.
Club members, Mitch Pointon and Zoe Adinsall, represented Australia over the weekend at the World Laser Run Championships in Bath, England. Mitch had an exceptional race in his U15 event, finishing in eighth place, running over two seconds faster than his previous best. Zoe, in the Women U17 event, finished in an amazing 12th place.
Our Saturday morning cross country was run around a waterlogged Margaret Lewis Reserve, Coldstream. There was so much water that some last minute course changes were necessary. Our athletes enjoyed the change and responded with some excellent racing.
Next Saturday we return to Elizabeth Bridge in Kilsyth. Warm ups start at 8.45am.
Training continues for all club members on Tuesday from 5.30pm at Morrison Reserve and Thursday evenings from 5.30pm at Victoria Road Primary School gym. Yarra Ranges Athletics welcomes and encourages all athletes of any age or ability.
If you, or someone you know, wants to join in the fun of cross country email info@yarrarangesathletics.org.au for information about events and registration.
For information on training, how to join or trial, photos, results and updated news, visit the website at yarrarangesathletics.org.au or check us out on Facebook. Run, Jump, Throw…too easy!
