Round 3 of the Winter Cross Country series took place at beautiful Huskisson on Saturday 11th April. Numbers were up a little from earlier weeks but still way below average compared to previous years.
Perhaps the changeable weather had something to do with it! Although cross country running does take place in just about all-weather!
Fortunately the rain cleared in time on Saturday for the running and runners enjoyed the meandering course through the bush.
Our shortest distance on the program, the 1km course had just 6 competitors this week. Our youngest competitors ran well with Jed Seccombe taking 1st place. Heidi Piert took second and Aimee Coulson-Knight was 3rd.
The 2km course had 18 competitors. In Division 1 Scott Delo was first across the line. He was followed by Stirling Norwood, who ran the fastest time for the distance in 7.55 minutes, and Matthew Higham was third. In Division 2 Jack Hopkins took line honours with Cameron Harrison in second place and Annie Seccombe 3rd. Division 3 was taken out by Zac Peters, followed by Rachael Banwell and Kylie Rose.
The 3km course saw 24 competitors jostling for position. Chelsea Pascoe took 1st place in Division 1. Tara Mustapic was second and Hunter Lynch was the fastest male across 3kms, crossing the line in 3rd place with a time of 13.41 minutes. Indie Seccombe was the fastest female. Running from back marker off a handicap of 2.30 minutes Indie crossed the line in 4th place in a time of 12.35 minutes. In Division 2 Ella Heald was 1st, followed by Jess O’Donnell and Richard Murphy.
The medium course was well represented with 3 divisions. In division 1 Thomas Pascoe was the first home. Liam Dooley ran in 2nd and Paul Duncan was 3rd. Steve Grant was back marker, off a handicap of 5.40minutes. Steve powered his way through the pack to finish 4th with the fastest time in this distance of 17.36 minutes. Looks like the handicapper will have to increase that handicap next week Steve!
In Division 2 Keeghan Norwood was first, followed by Rebecca Miles and Jainie Hamilton. Division 3 was taken out by Darlene Musgrove with Chris Russell second and Mel Mustapic 3rd. Long course saw 36 competitors keen enough to run the longest distance on the program! In fact, if we get any more long distance enthusiasts we may have to divide the competitors into 3 divisions instead of the current 2!
In Division 1 Peter Heald led the way home. Linda Weatherill, as Go marker, maintained her position throughout the race to finish 2nd. Next was Mitchell Cunningham who sprinted through from a back marker position, off 11.30minutes handicap to finish 3rd. Arron Spiessberger-Parker recorded the fastest time over the long course with a time of 30.20 minutes, also running from a back marker handicap and finishing 6th. Annette Sampson was the fastest female on the course, finishing in 11th place in a time of 42.51 minutes. These steely runners are certainly dedicated and continue to impress!
Division 2 honours were claimed this week by the ever-steady Milton Cox, followed by Matt Kinsele and Rod Rose.
Next week Round 4 will be held at Willandra on Saturday April 18th. The Nowra Athletics Club has been providing Athletics to people of all ages and abilities for over 50 years. We are a family friendly Club, catering for under 7’s to over 70’s. Previous running experience is not required, you just need to have some joggers and a desire to have a go. Come along & check us out. Registration from 2pm.