Round 9 of the Nowra Athletics cross country point score competition was held at Huskisson on Saturday.
Due to some rain earlier in the week, conditions at the start of the course were very slippery so the start line was moved further down the track. This gave some runners an unexpected surprise of a shorter running distance than normal this week but rest assured there will be no such leniency next time! Results were still recorded under the usual distances however, and in the 1km Isaac Bacchus crossed the line first followed by James Babian and Bethany Dobson.
In the 2km division 1 Zac Maher was first home with Sam Phillips taking second place and Harry Evans coming in third. Sisters Sophie and Olivia Fletcher battled it out for 4th and 5th spots – sibling rivalry at its best!
In Division 2 Thomas Pratt finished first with stalwart Deb Clark showing her consistent determination to cross second and Alastair Urquhart coming in third.
In the 3km it was Sophie Phillips who took out Division 1 with Rhys Burinaga and Jainie Hamilton running well to secure the next two podium finishes. In Division 2 it was great to see Rick O’Shea back running and he was rewarded with 1st place this week. Alex Arnold finished second and Isabella Bond came in third.
The Medium Distance runners were certainly fooled by the shorter distance this week; thinking they were running very quick indeed, but alas it wasn’t 4kms after all. In Division 1 Liam Dooley used those long legs to his advantage and took line honours, followed by Paul Bacchus and Kristina O’Shea. It was Rod Rose who took out Division 2 with Paul Musgrove featuring in the top 3 for the first time this season and Kyra Florance coming in third. In Division 3 regular runner Eva Moeller-Duhme ran a steady race to cross the finish line first while Brin McKinnon snuck past Darlene Musgrove in the finish chute to take out second, relegating Darlene to third.
In the long distance event it was David Tuckerman who took out Division 1 followed by Darrin Smith and Mitchell Hudson. Division 2 was won by barefoot runner Kevyn Davis. Angela Bond and Martin Bell ran well to take out second and third.
In Division 3 this week Trish Bird had a solid run and surprised herself when she came over the line first. Linda Clarke and Alison Havadjia also showed strong form to cross in second and third place.
Athletes are reminded that the Willandra Country Classic State Cross Country Championships are coming up soon, on the 21st June. Nowra Athletic Club members who wish to run need to let Jan Gibb know of their intention to compete by Saturday 14th (that’s next week) if they want to take advantage of the subsidised entry to the XC Championship events. Entries are open on the day of the Classic but will cost $30 if they leave it till then.
Next week’s round will be held at Willandra; a last chance to practice on the Willandra hills before the Classic, so get those running shoes on and see you there!