The second challenge event for 2015 against Kembla Joggers was held at the West Dapto course on Saturday 25th July, Points on the day were used to determine the winner of the McCaffrey Challenge Shield. Nowra athletes were certainly outnumbered by the home club but the dedicated crowd in gold and black did their best for Nowra
It was Jye Edwards that brought home a win for Nowra in the 8km event. Jye was first home from 63 competitors in a time of 26.42.9 minutes. Kembla Jogger’s Liam Henderson was next followed by Nowra’s Arron Spiessberger-Parker in third place. Kembla Joggers Alex Seal was 4th before a trio of Nowra runners ran in. Harry McGill was 5th, Scott Martin 6th and Brad Sawyers 8th. Kembla then took all places from 9th to 23rd.
Cristine Suffolk was the first Nowra athlete home in 24th place.
Also performing well on the day for Nowra over 8kms was Scott Johnson (26th), John Keenan (29th), Bill Broughton (32nd), Linda Weatherll (38th) and Kev Davis (41st). In addition Nowra also had Matt Kinsele (45th), Milton Cox (51st), Kyra Florance (55th), Rae Thomson (56th), and Geoff Crook (57th) completing the long distance course.
Once again our KOM girls were out pounding the track; Natasha Toms finished 60th, Sue Anfruns 61st and Sky Martin 62nd.
Nowra had 4 juniors representing the Club in the 1km. Katie Martin ran strongly to finish 12th and Mitchell Toms was 20th, The Maher brothers showed family support for each other with Will Maher running across the line in 22nd place, just ahead of Ben Maher.
In the 2km event there were 31 competitors with 11 Nowra athletes. Zac Peters was the first Nowra athlete home in 10th place. Bethany Dobson was 13th and the other two Maher brothers were next home with Sam Maher in 14th place and Zac Maher 15th.
There were 8 Nowra athletes running in the 3km event. Max Buckham was the best finisher for Nowra in 9th place.. Alec Dobson was 11th; Jasper Arnold 12th, Leah Dobson 13th and Victoria Kennedy 14th. Andrew Havadjia was 19th; Erin martin 24th and Alyssa Toms 25th.
From 39 competitors there were 16 Nowra athletes in the 4km event. It was Jesses Buckham who placed top 10 for Nowra. Hugh Dobson was 15th, Cooper THomson 16th, Paul Duncan 18th, Darcy Hopkins 19th and Jade Mustapic rounded out the top 20.
Well done to all Nowra athletes competing in the McCaffrey Challenge. We didn’t have the numbers to take home the McCaffrey Shield but Nowra certainly showed they had heart and determination.
Next Saturday’s run is at Huskisson for the last point score of the season. See you there.
The 2015 ANSW Winter Premiership Series will also continue on Saturday 1st August 2015 with the NSW Short Course Championships at Upjohn Park in Rydalmere.
This race is now a major selection race for the Australian Cross Country Championships, with the Top 3 place-getters who have not qualified previously automatically selected for the ANSW NSW Team.
Online entries close Wednesday 29th July.
Hopefully we will see some Nowra members there,
We also hope to see Nowra athletes competing in the Capital to Coast event on the August weekend 14-16th. Starting in Canberra and finishing in Jervis Bay, the Capital to Coast is a multi stage running event from ACT to the NSW Coast. Find details for entry on the Capital to Coast website.