For the final points round of our Covid-impacted Winter cross country season, the sun shone brightly, letting us know Spring is right around the corner!
In the 1km we had just two competitors. Aiden McLaren (and his dog Jasmine) led the way, finishing, with energy to spare, in 10:59 whilst Archie Halliday was second.
In the 2km Myra Betts was first home in 10:07 followed by Josie Sproule then Micah Procter. Elsie Procter was fourth with Airlie Stevens clocking the fastest time of 10:05 as she crossed the line in fifth place. Myra and Airlie have been neck and neck in their times throughout the season; proving to be great competition for each other. William Anderson demonstrated great determination with his sprint finish whilst Cameron Baxter recorded the fastest time across 2kms as he crossed in seventh place in 9:28. Lailani Halliday with her ‘never give up’ attitude was eighth.
Oliver Baxter took out the win in the 3kms in 15:26 whilst Hamish McLaren was second in the fastest time of 14.18 crossing in front of sister Emily McLaren who clocked 16:54. Zac Peters was fourth then next was Noah Dyball beating brother Toby Dyball across the line. Joseph Petts was seventh followed by Darlene Musgrove then Lily Sproule, Andrew Havadjia and Julia Yenne.
This week several of ‘the fast boys’ decided to step up to the longer distance and proved to be very competitive. Will Dyball crossed first in 39:57. Chasing Will down from a handicapped start was Bradley Sawyers who clocked a slightly faster time of 39:51 and hot on his heels, from a further thirty second handicap was Cam Musgrove who clocked the fastest time of 39:30. It was a great race! Fourth was experienced runner Glen Sansom in 47.40 followed by Zac Havadjia who reluctantly completed the two laps! Glen Mustapic is in great shape this season and crossed in sixth place in 47:45 followed by Graham Anderson then Stephen O’Connor. Richard Bosdyk was ninth then Matthew Schofield was tenth in 45:33. Chris Berendt was eleventh in 47:45 and Patrick Ozlins was twelfth. Looking at these times for long course runners, it’s going to be a close competition next week in the Nowra Athletics Covid Cross Country Championships.
In Division 2 of long course there were another ten runners with Michael Brodnick taking the win in front of Annie Schofield and Rob Woods. David Hughes was fourth followed by ‘no shortcuts this week’ Dean Bryce. We welcomed back Erich Moeller-Dhume this week who crossed in sixth place followed by hardworking Rebecca Cooper and Sabina Hamaty then Michael Duncan and Dan O’Connor.
There was little time difference separating the field of competitors in Division 1 of Medium Course. Marcus Baxter claimed victory in 22:02 followed by Ella Dyball in 24:20 and Peter Dooley in 21:54. Ethan Havadjia was fourth in 22:07 with Harrison Baxter the quickest in 20:17. Sixth was Darcy Hopkins in 21:48 and then Dennis Smart was seventh in 22:14. Jade Mustapic rounded out the field in eighth place. This field will definitely be interesting to watch next week in the Championship run.
Division 2 of medium course was won by the smiling Darcy Arnold. This was a great win to a young competitor who has tried really hard all season across this distance. Lisa Carroll was second home followed by Angela Bond. Bill Turnbull was fourth then Alex Arnold was fifth. Next was Dakota Farny followed by Lucy Duncan, Annette Sampson, Alison Havadjia, Sharon Bryce and Eva Moeller-Duhme. Phil Duncan was twelfth then completing the field were John Price and Ross Girdler.
Next week Nowra Athletics Club will host the inaugural Covid Cross Country Championships. This event is aimed to provide some competition for athletes in light of all State events being postponed this season due to covid-19 restrictions. Of course, all competitors and spectators need to comply with our Covid Safety Plan. We ask that athletes adhere to social distancing when they are not competing and practice good hygiene. The mixing of participants and staff between different regional areas is banned so please don’t bring anyone to cross country who is from outside our area. We also need to limit spectators to one parent only, so if parents are not competing, then only one parent is permitted at the venue. Where parents are competing, of course, this is fine.
We look forward to the competition and we hope this Championship event will inspire athletes to keep moving forward. There are medals on offer but more importantly there is the camaraderie of our Club, cheering each other on and doing your best.
We are privileged to have an amazing cross country course to run on that challenges all ages and abilities across each distance. Let’s join together and promote positivity through the power of running.