Athletes excel on Tan Track

Tan relays Womens Div 2 winning team Brigette, Olivia, Kellie and Maddie. Pictures: SUPPLIED.

By Jamie Strudley

The Melbourne weather really turned it on for the final round of the XCR23 season. The sun was shining and the atmosphere was high for the much loved Tan Relays.

Yarra Ranges Athletics had eight teams competing alongside over 300 other teams from throughout Victoria with all athletes keen to test themselves on the world renowned Tan Track.

Liv got the Div 2 Women off to a flying start running a 15s pb before handing over to Kellie, who showed she has some serious speed even if she does enjoy running 100 plus kms on the mountain trails. Maddie continued her strong form storming around the Tan to run 20s faster than she did last year. Going into the last leg the girls had a 1min12s advantage over 2nd place but this didn’t stop Brigitte from running the fastest time of the day for our Yarra women and helping secure first place for the Div 2 women by over 90 seconds!! Amazing team effort girls.

The fun didn’t stop there though for our open women with our Div 4 team, made up of Grace, Abi and Lis all having amazing runs to claim second place.

Our under 20 women, Zoe, Mia and Lily hung on nicely for 6th place. Our under 20 women have had an incredible season winning the overall team title.

Our Div 2 Men have had a huge season in their first year in Division 2. The boys worked well together with Harry and Max getting the team out to a good start both running PBs. Jared, Chris and Ash held strong in the middle stages, also all running big PBs before James flew home in the final leg to claim 6th place.

We also saw some familiar faces back for a fast lap of the Tan, with Caleb McInnes, Liam Russell and Ky Harris making an appearance. Our Div 6th Men flew around for 3rd, with the Div 7 teams placing 7th and 13th whilst our under 16 men came 18th. Great running from all!!

Results are:

Women Div 2 4×3.83km 1st Olivia Twining: 13:37, Kellie Angel: 13:29, Madeline Laven: 14:19, Brigitte Rice: 13:25

Women Div 4 3×3.83km 2nd Grace Muller: 15:45, Abi Hyndman: 15:01, Elisabeth Coffey: 17:42

Women U20 3×3.83km 6th Zoe Clarke: 14:59, Mia Strudley: 17:14, Lily Clarke: 17:21

Men Div 2 6×3.83km 6th Harry Norman: 11:16, Max Savill-Bentley: 11:41, Chris Grundy: 13:32, Jared Byrne: 13:15, Ashley Bennett: 13:23, James Laven: 12:15

Men Div 6 4×3.83km 3rd Matthew Morrison: 14:13, Ky Harris: 14:40, Liam Russell: 14:09, Michael Clarke: 15:05

Men Div 7 4×3.83km (I) 7th Caleb McInnes: 13:21, Mike Willey: 16:12, Jamie Pointon: 16:53, Jamie Strudley: 17:20 (II) 13th Logan Dutton: 15:41, Bryan Ackerly: 17:17, Carolyn Rosenbrock: 18:16, Craig Hewitson: 18:31

Men U16 3×3.83km 18th Mitchell Pointon: 15:56, Sam Rice: 14:42, Finn Rossthorn: 15:18

Attention now turns to the Track & Field season which starts for both our senior and Little athletics athletes on Saturday 7 October. Any new little athletics members are welcome to come to our “Come & Try Day” on this Saturday, 23 September, from 9am

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 track & field registration is now open. Go to www.lavic.com.au or www.athsvic.org.au or 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!