By Jamie Strudley
Yarra Ranges Athletics Cross Country Championships was held at a sun baked Morrison Reserve on Saturday. After a very cold start the sun came out to make for perfect conditions. This created the perfect environment for some exciting races with club championship titles up for grabs.
First up was the Under 6 athletes racing over 500m. Angus Congreve and Finley Malcher went toe to toe all race, with Angus showing great speed to finish stronger and take the championship gold medal. The girls race saw Emily Moore run a steady race to win ahead of Chloe Sketchley.
The 1000m event had the Under 7 and 8 age groups going head to head. Riley Yorke distanced himself from his fellow U8 boys competitors finishing well clear of Brock Peel and Ayan Geisler.
Tillie Sommers had the U8 girls race to herself. Lola Farmilo chased hard to secure the gold medal in the U7 girls race ahead of a determined Mina Maguire.
Archie Budin was a class above the other competitors in the 1500m race. Archie comfortably won the U10 boys race ahead of Xander Sommers and Dominic Nealon. Fletcher Norman won the U9 boys race with Micah Friend securing gold in the U9 multiclass race.
The girls 1500m event saw Isla Haisma out sprint Caitlyn McKerlie to win the Under 10 event. Amelia Sketchley was a clear winner of the Under 9 girls race ahead of Hayley Nealon and Indi Budin.
The U11 and U12 athletes raced over 2000m. Illikimi Tove ran away from Hugo Gibbs to win the Under 11 boys race, with Jay Burke edging out Tobyn Harris in the Under 12 boys race. Adele Ellis was a clear winner of the U12 girls race ahead of Lily Clarke and Janna Rodriguez. Pippa Congreve ran away from fellow competitors Holly Yorke and Sahazia Geisler to win the U11 girls event. Bradley McMeeken ran a strong race to win the U15 Multiclass 2000m race.
The 3000m event was a much awaited race as the Under 13,14 and open athletes raced each other. First over the line was Ryder Holland to win the U13 boys event ahead of Finn Rossthorn. Hamish Mckerlie ran a great race to finish just behind Ryder and win the U14 boys event. The Open Men’s winner was Bryan Ackerly.
Brookley Horsburgh had too much speed in the closing stages for Tori Kincaid to win the U13 girls race. The finish of the day saw Bethany Vine finish a few steps ahead of Acacia Anderson-Bonsor in an exciting sprint finish to the U14 girls race.
The open women’s race was won by Renee Horsley, running away from training partner Nicole Cannon.
YRA’s senior team raced in the Victorian Half Marathon Championships held on a fast circuit along Yarra Blvd, Burnley. Completing four laps of the 5km circuit, after a short 1km out and back at the start provided the perfect race format for fast times. Max Savill-Bentley and Olivia Twining led in the respective men’s and women’s teams to third place finishes. Both Max and Olivia also broke the club records for the half marathon distance.
Junior athletes raced over 5km with Maddie Laven winning the Under 20 Women race and securing the Under 20 individual XCR athlete title. Fellow Under 20 athletes Rori Jones and Mia Strudley teamed with Maddie to win the Under 20 women’s teams race and are now in an unbeatable position with one round to go in the teams event.
Full results are:
21.1km
Women Olivia Twining 18th 1:22:41; Abi Hyndman 49th 1.28:40; Katrina Winger 56th 1:31:07; Bonnie Morris 100th 1:43:32; Georgia Laven 106th 1:46:34; Elisabeth Coffey 124th 1:53:43; Katie Clarke 2.08.53
Men Max Savill-Bentley 13th 1:07:34; Harry Norman 42nd 1:10:41; James Laven 132nd 1:18:14; Ashley Bennett 137th 1:18:32; Jared Byrne 168th 1:20:09; Chris Grundy 228th 1:23:41; Matthew Morrison 332nd 1:29:42; Michael Clarke 348th 1:31:26; Graham Coutts 404th 1:37:13; Logan Dutton 412th 1:38:07;
5km Road Race
Women U20 Madeline Laven 1st 18:28; Rori Jones 6th 22:01; Mia Strudley 8th 23:34;
Women U16 Zoe Clarke 6th 20:07;
Women U14 Brienna Coffey 7th 21:56; Lily Clarke 10th 23:34;
Next weekend is our cross country presentation and fun day at McKenzie Reserve, Yarra Glen. Check website and socials for details.
Training continues for all club members on Tuesday and Thursday from 5.30pm at Morrison Reserve. Yarra Ranges Athletics welcomes and encourages all athletes of any age or ability.
If you, or someone you know, wants to join in the fun of cross country email info@yarrarangesathletics.org.au for information about events and registration.
For information on training, how to join or trial, photos, results and updated news, visit the website at yarrarangesathletics.org.au or check us out on Facebook. Run, Jump, Throw…too easy!
