City To Surf and the Boston Marathon both have Heartbreak Hill which is notorious in the running community, but they have nothing on Hollyhill, and heartbreak is certainly what this runner faced on its pitch last Saturday!
The inaugural Hollyhill Hill Climb event was held on Saturday 3rd July, where each event started and finished at the top of the hill and the walk to the start line felt like a cross country event in itself!
In the 2km event the youngest runners didn’t seem perturbed at all about the hills, getting off to a flying start on the downhill before circling back to finish on the incline. Jason Hehir was the winner in 10.17. Finn Goddard made up plenty of ground from his 7-minute handicap to come in second in 10.36 and Lana Crawford, also off a 7-minute handicap was third in 10.47. Mali Mustapic was fourth followed by a smiling Isabella Mitchell and then Aiden McLaren rounded out the field.
In the 3km event Tom Smart was the worthy winner from a field of sixteen. Alisha Mustapic was second and Zoe Musson in third, was the fastest female runner over this distance with a time of 14.16. Meanwhile, Jett Goddard was the fastest runner, recording 13.33 as he crossed in tenth place.
Medium course saw seventeen athletes contest the distance where the males far outnumbered the females with just four females competing, including Mel Mustapic, Angela Bond, Darlene Musgrove and Donna Johnson. Julian Hehir took line honours in 22.32. Darcy Davis worked hard to come in second in 21.33 and Glen Mustapic pushed through for third in 23.06. Dennis Smart was fastest on course with 21.11.
Long course had just ten competitors for the gruelling hill climb event and only 9.34 separated the fastest from the slowest runner. Runners were faced with driving their already tired legs and bodies up the final hill (for the second time) to the Finish Line. Dean Bryce took line honours in 50.21. Perry Strand was second in 46.38 and Lucas Johnson was third in 46.06, just beating Perry on the clock, to claim the fastest time. Graham Anderson was fifth in 50.57, Richard Bosdyk was sixth in 54.13, then Rebecca Cooper, as the only female in this event, was seventh in 55.40. Stephen O’Connor clocked 50.05 in eighth and Scott Johnson with 53.04 completed the field.
Thanks to everyone who braved the heart wrenching hill climb. I can confirm the spectacular views from the top were well worth it!
Next week cross country will be held at Berry.
Please note, as per the results on our website, the places listed above are based on financial membership. If you are not a financial member your results will not be recorded. Any points for unregistered competitors have now been removed. We require membership for our insurance coverage so if you are not a financial member you will be ineligible to participate in further events. If you want to run, just jump online and register. It’s easy!