By JAMIE STRUDLEY
ATHLETICS Victoria brought Round 2 of its Cross Country and Road (XCR) series to Wandin Park last Saturday.
Over 1000 athletes from throughout Victoria enjoyed the picturesque venue and views; but possibly not the tough, testing course.
Various distances of 2km, 3km, 4km, 6km and 8km, depending on age group, proved very tough with many athletes reduced to a walk or rest.
Highlights of the day were the runaway win by new member Sam Norton in the Under 14 Boys 2km, the likely team wins for our Under 14 Boys and Under 16 Girls and the welcoming of so many new athletes including Sam Norton, Taj Linde, Zac Clarke, James Love, Mitch Mullens, Luke Jackson, Dean Jackson, Stephen Blair, Mia Strudley, Sarah Llyod, Claire Knell, Sarah Love, Laura DiGregorio and Corrie Van Raaphorst.
A big thank you goes to the club members who worked on the canteen and barbecue on a warm day.
Provisional individual results are:
M14 2km, Sam Norton 1st 6.56,Taj Linde 10th 8.02, Zachariah Clarke 11th 8.03, James Love 12th 8.15; M16 3km, Harrison Van Duuren 19th 12.19, Liam Russell 33rd 15.01, Camden Hewitson 34th 15.16; M18 4km, James Laven 10th 15.14, Connor Thrall 14th 15.42, Mitchell Mullens 24th 17.13; MOPEN 8km,Mathieu Dore 90th 32.38, Ross Kinsella 123rd 33.45, Michael Clarke 131st 34.05, Luke Jackson 148th 34.48, Bryan Ackerly 158th 35.23, Stephen Blair 180th 36.18, David Seeds 202nd 36.5, Dean Jackson 225th 37.54, Jamie Strudley 268th 40.27, David Laven 269th 40.32, Craig Hewitson 324th 45.19; W14 2km,Mia Strudley 18th 9.05; W16 3km,Ruby Dixon 6th 13.04, Lily Peacock 7th 13.08, Zoe Sibley 24th 15.1; W18 3km, Lily Thompson 4th 13.17; W20 4km,Sarah Lloyd 6th 18.39, Sienna Somerville 10th 19.29, Olivia Twining 12th 20.3, WOPEN 6km, Veida Somerville 34th 25.48, Amanda Branson 58th 27.38, Amanda Laven 88th 29.14, Claire Knell 137th 32.45, Sarah Love 153rd 33.4, Sue McCall 164th 34.56, Laura DiGregorio 172nd 36.21, Corrie Van Raaphorst 175th 36.46.
Saturday morning cross country was at Lillydale Lake this week, with a fantastic turnout on a beautifully sunny morning.
Yet again there were plenty of personal bests and smiling faces as everyone enjoyed the sunshine and rolling hills around Lillydale Lake.
Next week, the club is at Margaret Lewis Reserve, Coldstream, from 8.45am.
All are welcome with a gold coin entry.
Visit www.yarrarangesathletics.org.au for more details.
