XCR event takes to the hills

Liam Russell finds his rhythm in the Under 16s Men's 3000m. 168327_01 Pictures: ERIKA BEDYN

By Jamie Strudley

YARRA RANGES ATHLETICS
Athletics Victoria’s marquee winter series, XCR, took to the rolling hills of Wandin Park on Saturday.
Over 1000 eager athletes from throughout Victoria were keen to take on the most challenging course of the 10-event series.
Yarra Ranges Athletics had one of their biggest teams yet at an XCR event making for a great day in the sun.
They also provided a barbecue on the day, which was very successful.
Thanks to helpers Craig and Kathi Hewitson and to all the barbecue helpers, including Andrew Peeler, Brent Linde, Graham Coutts, Ella Strudley, Lynn Strudley, Lee Taylor, Susan Taylor and Malcolm Duncan.
Unofficial results are:
U14 Boys 2000m Zac Clarke 11th 7.53, James Love 22nd 8.33, Alex Van Duuren 25th 9.28; U14 Girls 2000m Maddie Laven 3rd 7.36, Indigo Linde 6th 7.50, Mia Strudley 21st 8.49; U18 Men 4000m James Laven 5th 14.27, Harry Norman 23rd 15.39, Jayden Eagleton 41st 21.00; U20 Men 4000m Mitch Mullens 24th 16.16; U20 Women 4000m Amy Veenendaal 13th 20.33, Olivia Twining 14th 20.39; U16 Men 3000m Taj Linde 25th 13.46, Camden Hewitson 27th 14.02, Liam Russell 29th 14.38, Jayden Clarke 30th 15.17; U16 Women 3000m Georgia Laven 1st 11.55, Ruby Dixon 5th 12.49; U18 Women 3000m Lily Peacock 3rd 12.28, Grace Muller 15th 13.59; Open Men 8000m Dean Jackson 135th 33.11, Michael Clarke 172nd 34.27, Andrew Searles 190th 35.05, Stephen Blair 194th 35.16, James Anderson 201st 35.28, Graham Coutts 205th 35.43, Jamie Strudley 211th 36.00, Bryan Ackerly 242nd 37.21, Jordan Brown 284th 38.50, Justin Eagleton 288th 39.07, Brent Linde 295th 39.21, Dave Laven 298th 39.28, Martin Steer 325th 41.13; Open Women 6000m Veida Somerville 41st 25.56, Lauren Starr 42nd 25.57, Judith May 55th 26.47, Amanda Laven 89th 28.10, Alexis Sketchley 151st 31.52, Sarah Love 155th 32.14, Sue McCall 171st 33.35, Erika Bedyn 178th 34.51, Kathryn Clarke 183rd 35.18, Kate Van Duuren 197th 40.28.
The next round will be on Saturday 27 May at Margaret Lewis Reserve, Coldstream.
Next, athletes are competing at the Knox Open Day, a fun family teams cross country. See you there.
The club welcomes all athletes of any age or ability.
For information on how to join or trial, photos, results and updated news, visit yarrarangesathletics.org.au or check out the Facebook page.