The threatening rain arrived as the 89 starters in the Palace of the Orient 8 km handicap set off along the Anglesea foreshore and up into the foothills. As well as the hills, there were numerous puddles and one extremely slippery section which made for a true cross country test. It was second year runner, Craig Michael, who was able to hold off the fast finishing Stephane Vander Bruggen by 10 metres with Steve Curtain only 5 metres back in third place. Michael was seemingly unaffected by having a late night before coming to the event. The Graeme Watkins training group prizes for fastest overall times went to Rachael Thompson who narrowly beat Katie Eisenhauser and under 20 newcomer Kurt McDonald who was easily the fastest male.
Top 10 Placings
C. Michael, 34:46; S. Vander Bruggen, 31:13; S. Curtain, 33:29; L. Ryan, 34:51; L. Pye, 41:09; S. Van Rooyen, 32:31; B. O’Brien, 35:57; T. McRae, 33:20; R. Ryan, 42:16; G. Simpson, 30:33.
Fastest Times
Under 20 Male: K. McDonald 28.43.
Under 40 Male:.D. Burns 30.43, D. Card 31.06.
Under 40 Female: R. Thompson 35.06, K. Eisenhauser 35.12.
Veteran Male: R. Thomas.30.07, M. Chalmers 30.09.
Veteran Female: T. Dekleva 35.18, M.Paull 41.24.
Masters Male: M. Clayton 33.19, P. Shay 34.10.
Masters Female: C. Crawford 45.27, K. Hammond 46.37.
Legends Male : K. Walker 33.20, R. Blue 36.01.
Legends Female: J. Morton 46.42, D. Elson 50.18.
Supervets Male: M. Orelli,49.59, D. Jennings 52.54.
Magic Money: C. Michael
