A pleasant Sunday morning greeted the 70 enthusiastic runners gathered for the running of the Pro Feet Podiatry 7 km handicap at Drysdale Recreation Reserve. It is a true undulating cross country course which suits strong runners. The set up was a tribute to course directors, Geoff, Stuart and Mark.

Assistant Treasurer, Michael Morton scored his maiden club victory when he overtook Luke Ryan with 350 metres to go to finally win by 40 metres with Jeff Walker a further 160 metres astern in third. Morton, now in his fifth season was drawn to the club by the enthusiasm of his parents, Jeanette and John, who have been members for a dozen years.

Former club champion, Kate Bramley and promising invitation junior, Zac Norton were easily the fastest of their gender.

Top 10 Placings

M. Morton 29.49, L. Ryan 32.46, J. Walker 37.31, L. Considine 29.22, L. Haines 28.22, K. Bramley 28.41, K. Walker 30.47, D. Burns 28.16, H. Mack 29.38, V. Gasper 34.21.

Fastest Times

• Under 20 Male: Z. Norton 24.54.
• Under 40 Male: L. Drady 28.00, M. Fox 28.04.
• Under 40 Female: K. Bramley 28.41, R.Thompson 32.11
• Veteran Male: E. Kelly 27.39, D. Burns 28.16.
• Veteran Female: J. White 31.34, R. Fuller 33.28.
• Masters Male: A. Ward 31.38, S. Pretty 36.21.
• Masters Female: R. Kimpton 34.03, T. De-Koning Ward 39.43.
• Legends Male: K. Walker 30.47, K. McNulty 32.42.
• Legends Female: P. Galvin 39.42, P. Tindall 39.46.
• Supervets Male: V. Gasper 34.21, J. Walker 37.31.
• Supervets Female: C. Bridgland 52.10.
• Magic Money: K. Walker

Next Sunday’s race is an 8 km at Balyang Sanctuary, Melway Ref 451 F8 at 9:00 a.m. New members and invitation runners most welcome. Registrations close at 8:30 am.. More information at this link.

The sunshine was melting the frost as the 89 eager starters lined up for the eighth running of the East Geelong Discount Drug Store 8 km handicap at Inverleigh on Sunday morning. The course designed by the race sponsor, Phil Shay, is a true test of endurance.

It was club treasurer, Sean Thompson, who replicated his  2017 victory  by overtaking Max Wright to win by 20 metres followed by Fiona Gilks who was the first frontmarker home. Thompson’s wife hailed from Inverleigh so he is very familiar with the course.

In the battle for fastest times, Kate Bramley and Liam Drady were the quickest of their gender.

Tickets for the club’s 50th Celebration on June 25th are now available. You can reserve your seat at this link.

Top 10 Placings

S. Thompson 35.05, M. Wright 37.10, F. Gilks 42.58, E. Stewart 41.02, M. Orelli 48.59, L Considine 32.02, D. Wright 30.56, M. Gneil 30.36, M. Morton 33.57, D. Burns 30.38.

Fastest Times

• Under 20 Male: H. Dobie 32.54.
• Under 40 Male: L. Drady 30.14, M. Fox 30.23.
• Under 40 Female: K. Bramley 31.45, H. Waterson 32.28.
• Veteran Male: D. Burns 30.38, E. Kelly 30.50.
• Veteran Female: S. Andrews 37.59, D. Giannios 41.04.
• Masters Male: S.Pretty 38.38, W. McCorkell 39.36.
• Masters Female: R. Kimpton 36.16, N. Angus 43.20.
• Legends Male: K. Walker 34.30, K. McNulty 35.14.
• Legends Female: P. Tindall 43.34, J. Palmer 49.06
• Supervets Male: D. Elward 35.26, V. Gasper 38.34.
• Supervets Female: F. Barnett 58.28, M. Blood 71.59.

Next Sunday’s race is a 10 km at the Ocean Grove Surf Lifesaving Club, Melway Ref 497 E1 at 9:00 a.m. New members and invitation runners most welcome. Registrations close at 8:30.

A cool, strengthening, westerly wind tested the competitors in the Goodlife Health Clubs12 km relay around Barwon Valley Park. The handicappers with the help of the computer assembled the 51 entrants into seventeen teams of similar standing.

Beginning the final leg, Marcus Gniel from Team 5 had the lead but the pack began closing. Patrick Oughtred from Team 7 took the lead with a kilometre remaining and held on from the fast finishing Dan Wright of Team 13. The margin was only 15 metres on the line. Each member of the winning team had been successful in previous editions of the event – Ken Walker in 1984, Oughtred in 2017 and Michael Orelli in 2019.

Invitation runner Jane White was the fastest female while first year member, Liam Drady narrowly beat another new member, Ed Kelly for the fastest male.

Excitement continues to build as the club’s 50th Year Celebration on June 25th approaches. Reserve your seat at this link or contact Jeff on 5229 4304.

Top 3 Results

1st K. Walker, P. Oughtred, M. Orelli 57.23. 2nd D. Wright, S. Thompson, M. Morton 48.22.  3rd J. Peart, R. Solly, B. Davis 58.28.

Fastest Times

• Under 20 Male: J. Peart 16.55.
• Under 40 Male: A. Drady 14.36, M. Minney 15.25.
• Under 40 Female: K. Gilbert 20.27, E. Davis 20.43.
• Veteran Male: E. Kelly 14.41, D. Wright 15.13
• Veteran Female: J. White 16.11, S. Pedersen 17.18
• Masters Male: S. Pretty 18.46, G. Anset 19.55.
• Masters Female: R. Kimpton 17.47, F. Fitzpatricck 23.56.
• Legends Male : K. Walker 16.51, K. McNulty 16.53.
• Legends Female: J. Elkin 25.59.
• Supervets Male: D. Elward 17.30, J. Walker 20.44.

Next Sunday’s event is a 8 000 metre handicap at Inverleigh at 9:00 a.m. Registrations need to be submitted by 8:40 a.m.. New members and invitation runners most welcome. More information is available here.