Dawn Busters Fun Run

Happy New Year to you all!

The Dawnbuster Fun Run was conducted in ideal balmy conditions on the Geelong Waterfront last Thursday morning…..last year!  A band of willing helpers were there from 5.30am with many members rolling in at 6am to lend a hand.  As Race Director, it was very pleasing and comforting to have over 30 members helping on the morning as well as a few non-members who were happy to jump in and lend a hand.

I would like to recognise Tom Blood for his efforts over the journey of the Dawnbuster Fun Run, he has been the “face” of the event over that time, and Tom it was appropriate that the first voice we all heard was your’s on the PA system despite the feedback screeching intro….I thought you were about to do a rendition of “Foxy Lady” by Jimi Hendrix.  The work you do each year extracting so many excellent spot prizes from local businesses is simply amazing, so well done yet again.

A massive thank you to the Dawnbuster Sub-Committee consisting of Denise Elson, Maurice Marshall, John and Jeanette Morton, Phil Shay, Jeff Walker, Kevin McNulty, Kim Henderson and Tom Blood – we had 4 meetings from September through to December and it just goes to show that a team effort will always produce a successful event.  Particular thanks to Phil Shay for setting out the eastern section of the course, then reverting to the starter then a marshal and to John Morton and Maurice Marshall who set up the western end of the course and that white powder on the kerb at Moorabool Street?  That was flour spread by John to highlight the kerb to the runners and it looks like it worked as there were very few footsteps on the flour, people would have thought “what the hell is that?” and jumped over it.  Anyway, one less batch of scones in the Morton household this weekend.

Also Ken Walker for stocking the club van and setting up the finish area.  Kevin McNulty, as if he didn’t have enough to do with the Half Marathon coming up in April, provided critical support by taking on the arduous task of allocation the volunteers around the registration and finish area, the hottest action on the morning..…thanks heaps Kevin.

And to the members who came on the morning to help, then do the run, or just spend time out on the course as marshals, many thanks.  Some members kindly ended up not running so that they could help out on the course, a special thanks to you.  Geoff Ryan raced all around the course putting up “Event in Progress” signs and then shot back up to Eastern Beach to take on an important marshal spot so much appreciated Geoff.

To Kath Walker and Betty and Jim Watson for again attending the drink station…very reliable helpers when they’re needed.

The Traffic Controllers Dave Simpson (at the relatively dangerous Cunningham Pier entry), Joe Weiler at the all important Yarra Street junction where the traffic had to be stopped for the start, and Jane Gasper who has not been 100% lately luckily drew the short (in time) straw by attending the Four Seasons entry where it was all over in 2 minutes!

A special thanks to Give Where You Live’s Events Coordinator Jess Young who did a mountain of work supplying the entry forms, race bibs, PA system, first aid and pens, pins etc.  This really made it so much easier for us on the day, and Jess, the advertising was tremendous, thanks so much for pushing our club name out there.

I fear I may have missed some key people, if so, very sorry, my apologies, but you will know who you are.  Well done and many thanks to all members (and the non-members) who chipped in on the day, from all accounts, the runners enjoyed a well marked course and a well organised event…..a collective sense of gratitude and pride, especially when you consider that all proceeds will go to Give Where You Live.

Now for some results:

Total entrants was 475 made up of 185 on-line entries thru the GWYL website, and 290 entries on the day.  Perhaps down on previous years but maybe the severe weather forecast put a few people off.  There were around 15 entrants on-line who did not turn up on the morning, so actual competitors on the day would have been about 460.  Once we have reconciled the on-line takings and the money collected on the day, we will let you know the final total.

The overall winner was Daniel Hutchinson in a blistering time of 15:42, with the first female Nadene Bainbridge crossing the line in a creditable 18:54.  New GCCC member Tracie Dekleva was the 3^rd female over the line in a fast 19:21.  Past Club President Ken Walker was his usual sizzling best with 18:33.

The age category winners were as follows:

Once again, than you to all involved, it was a marvellous success and hopefully soon we will be able to announce our fundraising total for Give Where You Live.

Enjoy the New Year and stay safe.  Back to training…….all of a sudden the new year is upon us and the running season is only 12 weeks away!

Regards

Paul Austin
President & Dawnbuster Race Director