By Jamie Strudley
A foggy start to the latest round of cross country for Yarra Ranges Athletics athletes as they took on the challenges presented at Margaret Lewis Reserve in Coldstream. Some mud, a couple of hills and eventually some sunshine made for a fantastic morning of cross country.
Our senior team travelled to Cruden Farm, Langwarrin for round 4 of the XCR season. Always a fun but testing course, made even more so by the recent rains making for very soft underfoot conditions. The course was a little different to previous years meaning not as many shoes lost in mud pits and much faster times. The club had 18 members competing including debut cross country participation from Jared Byrne, Chris Grundy and Abi Hyndman. Results are:
M20 6km: Camden Hewitson 19th 28:35;
M18 8km: Angus Norman 14th 29:31;
M14 4km: Mitchell Pointon 9th 15:12;
MOpen 12km: James Laven 44th 41:25; Seamus Dwyer 47th 41:51; Caleb McInnes 104th 45:49; Jared Byrne 129th 46:55; Chris Grundy 135th 47:39; Michael Clarke 166th 50:30; Michael Willey 229th 56:42; Jamie Strudley 231st 56:47; Bryan Ackerly 233rd 56:59; Craig Hewitson 272nd 1:05:32;
W14 4km: Zoe Clarke 4th 15:25;
W16 6km: Ciara Willey 15th 30:27;
W18 6km: Madeline Laven 3rd 23:39;
W20 8km: Georgia Laven 2nd 32:16;
WOpen 12km: Abi Hyndman 24th 50:15;
Congratulations to medallists Georgia Laven, Maddie Laven and Zoe Clarke. It also looks like our open men have won both divisions (3 and 6) to retain their respective positions at the top of the ladder.
Next weekend we will have a number of athletes representing their school at the Victorian All Schools Cross Country Championships at Bundoora. They will be joined by our open athletes as they compete for the club at the Victorian Cross Country champs. Our Saturday morning XC will be at Lillydale Lake.
Yarra Ranges Athletics welcomes and encourages all athletes of any age or ability. Club training continues with 6-12yo training on Wednesdays at Morrison Reserve from 4pm with Kate and open age training on Tuesdays from 5.30pm at Morrison Reserve and all ages on Thursdays from 5.30 at Victoria Road Primary School gym.
For information on training, how to join or trial, photos, results and updated news, visit the website at yarrarangesathletics.org.au or visit our Facebook page.
