Nowra Athletics Club South Coast 3 and 5 was held at Shoalhaven High School Track on Sunday 8th September.
In the combined kids and juniors 3km race there were 11 competitor’s. Cameron Baxter took the lead from the gun and ran a strong and controlled race to claim the win for the 13-19 years group in 10.28. William Heffill was the next runner home and was 1st in the Under 13’s in 12.25. Crossing the line 3rd, and taking the top female position in the 13-19 years was Josie Sproule in 12.42, whilst Jonah Quigg was 4th across the line to place 2nd in the male Under 13’s in 13.44. Jackson Sproule was 3rd in Under 13’s in 14.14, and Johnno Sproule was 4th in 14.50. Noah Dyball crossed next for 2nd place in the 13-19 years in 15.21 Hewie Sproule crossed as the 8th runner for 5th place in Under 13’s males . Lilliahana Quigg was the 2nd female home but was 1st female in the Under 13’s in 16.34. Rounding out the field was Will Sproule (16.58) and Jameson Day (17.50) for the Under 13’s. 
In the masters 3km event, Scott Armstrong and Dave Sproule were neck and neck for 7 and a quarter laps. In the closing metres of the race, Dave Sproule pulled an extra gear, and accelerated forward, sprinting to the finish line to take the gold medal in 11.02. Scott Armstrong pushed hard behind him to take the silver medal in 11.06. Gavin Dyball ran well to take the bronze medal in 12.10 whilst John Smith also had a great race, complete with a sprint finish, for 4th place in 13.36. Sam Keogh was 5th across the line in 14.50 and claimed the gold medal for 1st female and Eva Moeller-Duhme won silver in 22.53. 
The open 3km race was won by a very competent Oliver Baxter in 9.18. Oliver ran a great race, leading from the start, and slowly but surely pulling away from his competitors, demonstrating the hard work he has put in over the Winter months. Running in 2nd in 9.44 was Will Dyball, also showing great form and Hamish McLaren had another solid run for 3rd in 10.48. 
In the female category, Airlie Stevens and Emily McLaren eased into the race side by side. Airlie then tucked in behind Emily for a short time before then passing Emily to take the lead position. Airlie ran a strong race, demonstrating both maturity and race fitness as she executed her race plan, and took the gold medal in 11.30. Emily ran hard and maintained her composure to take the silver medal in 11.47.
In the 5km Marcus Baxter became the 3rd Baxter family member to stand on the top of the podium, taking the masters win in 18.56. Scott Martin was, as always, solid and steady, and took 2nd place in 19.19 whilst Perry Strand was 3rd in 21.02. Evie Smart, having made the last minute decision to enter the race, ran alongside mum, Erin Smart for the majority of the race. The mother-daughter duo supported each other lap after lap however bragging rights for finish position went to Evie as she was the 4th runner to cross the line in 24.10 and was 1st in the 13-19 years group. Erin Smart was 5th home, and 1st in the masters female category in 24.11. Helen Sheridan was the next runner to cross the line in 24.45 for 2nd in the masters female. Erich Moeller-Duhme, at 78 years young, was inspiring in 4th in the masters men in 28.31. Completing the field was Kashava-Lee Essex in 30.43 as she took the silver medal in the 13-19 years group.
In the final event of the day, the Open 5km, Harry McGill was superb, claiming the gold medal in 15.39. Brad Sawyers, hot off the back of running his 200th parkrun yesterday, chased Harry around, trying to keep Harry within his reach. Brad had a great run to take the silver medal in 15.51. With the biggest personal cheer squad urging him on, Daniel Wood put in a great effort to take the bronze medal in 17.24. Daniel’s training partner, Lily Sproule was the only female representative in the race. Lily has made great gains this season under the expert guidance of coach Rob McDonald, and showed her grit and determination today, to complete the 12.5 laps in 20.03 for the gold medal.
Thank you to everyone who came along to support the event. Thank you to the competitors and to all the volunteers who helped ensure the event ran smoothly. Thank you to the sponsors who jumped on board to offer prize money for the races. The athletes on the podium were all well-deserved winners and we are sure they appreciate the financial boost to support their athletic pursuits. Thank you also to the businesses who donated for our lucky draw prizes and congratulations to our lucky winners.
We hope everyone had a great day.
Sponsorship Listing:
Opens Men’s 5km – Sponsored by Performance Nutrition Collective
Opens Women’s 5km – Sponsored by Loop Organics
Opens Men’s 3km – Sponsored by Nowra Sports Physio & Rehabilitation
Open’s Women’s 3km – Sponsored by Jet Locksmiths
Master’s Men’s & Women’s 3km – Sponsored by Basha’s Floors and Blinds
Master’s Men’s & Women’s 5km – Sponsored by Newkem
Junior races sponsored by Speech Pathology Services – the Smart Way
Other donations/sponsorships:
- Rebel Sport Nowra
- Bike Haven Bomaderry
- MNG Performance
- D.A.M.Photography