Saturday cross country was run in beautiful autumn weather at the very picturesque but challenging Timberhills course. Numbers were down to only 118 runners despite the ideal weather conditions but this certainly didn’t dampen the spirits of those in attendance. There were 17 eager participants in the 1km event with Emily McLaren taking first place in 4.56 minutes. Lacey Baker was a very close second in 4.58 minutes and Amba Florance was third in 5.02 minutes.
in the 2km event it was Lila Pratt who crossed the line first in Division 1. Lila was followed by Anna Duncan in second place and Alisha Mustapic in third place. Ella Colusso was the fastest over 2km in a very speedy 8.32 minutes whilst Cameron Harrison was the quickest male over this distance crossing in 5th place in 10.02 minutes.
Division 2 was won by Lucy Duncan with Brodie Wilson second and Lexie Burinaga third.
In the 3km it was Baylee Holland who claimed line honours. Matthew Higham was second, and ran the fastest time on the day in 12.28 minutes and Bridgette Fairs was third. Olivia Greenhalgh crossed in 6th place with the fastest female time of 13.15 minutes.
Division 2 of the 3km was won by Caitlin Fairs whilst Rommey Hazell was second and Zac Peters was third.
Alec Dobson was certainly on fire in the medium course winning the race in the fastest time of 19.35 minutes. Peter Dooley was second in 21.10 minutes and Cooper Thomson was third in 22.26 minutes. However it was Jaylah Hancock-Cameron who once again broke the medium course record for the Timberhills course in 20.58 minutes, breaking Crissy Suffolk’s record set in 2014 by 4 seconds. Congratulations Jaylah.
The Division 2 event was won by Chelsea Pascoe with Paul Duncan second and Jade Mustapic third. Division 3 was claimed by Gavin Dyball and Megan Fitt was second and Geoff Crook was third.
In the long course Elisha Bell won division1 and was only 30 seconds off breaking the record set at Timberhills by Tarni Cunningham in 2013. Elisha clocked 44.34 minutes whilst Bill Stahhlut was hot on her heels, crossing in 44.37 minutes. Richard Bosdyk was third and Scott Martin recorded the fastest time of 37.45 minutes, crossing in fourth place.
Division 2 of long course was won by Darrin Smith with Ming Leung in second and Milton Cox in third.
Next week cross country returns to Willandra on Saturday 29th April. This is the first round of the McCaffrey Challenge Match with Kembla Joggers so runners are encouraged to wear the club uniform. The more members that run the better chance we have of winning the Challenge match! In addition members are asked to please bring a plate for afternoon tea to be shared after the events.
A reminder too that the AGM and Presentation Night is coming up on Saturday May 6th at 6.30pm at Illaroo Road Public School. Everyone from Cross Country, Track and Field and Summer Road Running is invited to attend and asked to please bring a plate for supper.