Winter Cross Country returned last Saturday for the 2025 season under wet and cloudy skies. The weather bureau was predicting severe weather later that evening. After long discussions, the committee decided to go ahead with the opening round. As it turned out the afternoon was overcast, but no rain fell.
Although wet, the course was in pretty good condition, considering the amount of rain overnight and earlier that day. It provided perfect conditions for the mudlarks who came out to run and play.
1km
Will Sproule crossed the line first in 5.41 followed by Xander Day in 6.40 and then Grace Parmenter in 7.10.
2km
Mila Bozikov took the honours in 10.39 closely followed by Hugh Sproule in 10.45 and Madison Sandstrom in 11.17.
3km
Riley Sandstrom finished strongly to win in 13.41. A family contingent of Ben Sproule (13.50) and Josie Sproule (13.54) completed the podium.
Medium
Jarvis Strand handled the wet conditions best to win in 23.04. Gavin Dyball was second in 25.53 and George Connolly third in 26.36.
Long
A mere second separated the first two runners home in the long course. Scott Martin in 42.56 edged out Leith Babian in 42.57. Perry Strand ran comfortably to finish in 45.32.
Tea, coffee and a welcoming BBQ made the afternoon a great success. Runners chatted with friends and gave the course a positive thumbs up. The overall feeling was how nice it is to have a Nowra Athletics Club home of running.
Next Saturday we are again at the home of Nowra Athletics Club, running at UOW Shoalhaven. It will again be a mass start to finalise handicapping – 2pm start.
