Our Centre conducted the weekly Cross Country meet at Bostock Reservoir, Ballan on Saturday morning. Beautiful sunshine greeted athletes as they participated in races ranging from 500 metres to 3 kilometres.
The first race held this week, was the Open athletes, competing over a 3km course. A small field of runners raced off downhill along the reservoir bank before turning south along the fire track through the pine plantations. At the 1.5km mark athletes turned around before heading back to the finishline. With approximately 1km remaining, Melton’s Jujhar Tambar opened up a lead on Bacchus Marsh athletes Sam White and Nicholas Ibrahim. Jujhar held onto the lead and recorded back-to-back wins, while only 1 second separated Nicholas and Sam, finishing 2nd and 3rd respectively. Lachlan Simons (BM), crossing the finish line in 4th place, was the Under 13 winner while Melton’s Mia Preddy was the only female runner in the race therefore claiming the win for the girls.
Twenty-two Under 9/10 athletes toed the line for their 1.5km event. While Joshua Askew (BM), Auden Sundqvist and Anni Clark (BM) once again all recorded wins for their individual age groups/genders. Melton’s Sofia Anikeev, notching up her first victory for the season, was the first Under 9 girl across the finish line. Harry Johansen produced a sensational run, taking over 15 seconds off his previous best time over the 2ks.
The next scheduled race was our eager Under 6 athletes. Athletes took advantage of the downhill start, getting off to a flying start for their 500m race. Athletes circled around the big cyprus tree before heading back. A tough uphill finish saw little separate the top 3 runners – Jude, Sahib and Zyah. Zyah Cameron (Melt), Ryder Reid (Melt) and Paige Foley (BM) all recorded PB’s for their runs.
The largest field for the day saw 25 athletes compete in the combined Under 7 & 8 1km event. Melton athletes Chayse Johnson (U7) and Fletcher Reid (U8) had a great tussle before Chayse showed his strength over the closing stages crossing the finish line in first place. Mckinley Wilson (Melt) was the Girls Under 7 winner while Emmy Foley (BM) was awarded the Girls Under 8 winner. Mason Mayen (Melt) was the sole runner to record a PB for the event.
The final race for the morning saw the Under 11 & 12 athletes competing over 2kms. Ella Preddy (Melt) remains unbeaten, while Dushan Baniluk (BM) continues to improve and this week recorded a PB over the 2ks. Logan Simons (BM) and Scarlett Johnson (Melt) were declared the winners for the Under 11 boys and girls.
Thank you to the new parents who volunteered as rabbits or hares this week, we appreciate your assistance.
Don’t forget to continue supporting our weekly sausage sizzler, this is a great fundraiser for our Centre during the winter season. Thank you to Brenda and Brian for ensuring our troops are refuelled after their races.
Next week’s meet will be held at Lake Dewar, Myrniong. The same venue for this year’s State Championships, so is always a good opportunity for our Under 9-17 athletes to have a race under their belt at this venue. Athletes are requested to arrive early and ready to walk the course at 10.15am. First event will kick off at 10.30am. A reminder race distances rotate each week.
