Yarra Ranges Athletics to the fore in half marathon

The start of the Junior 5km featuring eventual third-place finisher Harry Norman from Yarra Ranges Athletics.

By Jamie Strudley

Some stellar results were had by a small team of Yarra Ranges Athletes at the Athletics Victoria XCR18 Burnley Half Marathon on the weekend of 1 September.

The day was cool, clear and still – perfect conditions for fast times – and the team took advantage of this.

First off were the juniors in the 5 kilometre.

Stand-out results were Kiara Flavel’s second in the girls under-14 and Harry Norman’s second in the mens under-18 and third place overall.

Several of the juniors recorded personal best times, including Max Savill-Bentley who came agonisingly close to a sub-17 with 17.01.

The open athletes competed over four laps of the 5km course.

The first man home was Seamus Dwyer in a smashing 1.17.06 and the first lady was Lauren Starr, storming home to a time of 1.24.24.

Full results:

Girls under-14 – Kiara Flavel 2nd 18.19, Ciara Willey 9th 22.42.

Girls under-16 – Mia Strudley 5th 20.09.

Boys under-16 – Angus Norman 12th 18.17.

Girls under-18 – Grace Muller 5th 19.35.

Boys under-18 – Harry Norman 2nd 15.34, Liam Russell 18th 18.47, Camden Hewitson 19th 19.32.

Boys under-20 – Max Savill-Bentley 9th 17.01.

Open women – Lauren Starr 10th 1.24.24, Katie Clarke 104th 1.53.15, Laura DiGregorio 107th 1.54.40, Erika Bedyn 112th 1.56.35.

Open men – Seamus Dwyer 85th 1.17.06, Graham Coutts 236th 1.28.36, James Anderson 265th 1.30.47, Bryan Ackerly 291st 1.33.38, Jamie Strudley 313th 1.35.57, Craig Hewitson 382nd 1.53.41.

The final round of the XCR18 season is on 15 September with the Tan Relays.

Anyone wanting to run needs to let the club know as soon as possible.

The YRA little athletes await the start of the summer track and field season in late September.

Visit yarrarangesathletics.org.au for more information.