Pickup finally picks up a win.

Northern Masters member Richard Pickup broke through for a win in the Division 1 10km race at Deloraine on Saturday. Pickup who has been a member of Newstead Athletics for more years than he cares to say was elated by the win, commenting that after years of running this is his first handicap win since 1976. Pickup has many a story to tell especially in relation to the very early years of the club when he was a young back-marker in cross country events. In the other races Jacquie Spencer was first over the line in the 3km race with Flynn Preece taking out the honours in the 1.5km race. Thanks to sponsorship from the Deloraine Hotel, winners take home a $25 gift voucher for their efforts.

Fastest: New runner Tom Wickham was fastest male in Division 1 with the ever-improving Jen Tate fastest female. In Division 2 Sophie Marshall was fastest female and first timer Lochlan Bussey was fastest male. The division 3 race fastest were Annabelle Cook and Riley Howard.

Personal Bests: Perfect running conditions did not mean lots of PB’s for Deloraine. Division 1 congratulations to Barbara Clayton and Jennifer Tait who were the only athletes in this event who managed to shave some time off, while in Division 2 only Blaise Fitzallen and Bella Shaw improved over last years event. There were several improvements on last year in Division 3 with PB’s to Rohan Crawford, Aaron Crawford, Annabelle Cook, Evie Bye, Eva Shaw, Savannah McKenzie, Hunter Fitzallen and Dale Kean. Of most notable in the Division 3 event was Aaron Crawford who recorded an improvement per km of more than 3 minutes! An honorable mention to Luke McKenzie on the Division 2 event, Luke ran a great race to finish in exactly the same time as last year, to the second! Missing out on a PB by--- 1 second ☹

Call for interest. Registrations will open soon for the State Cross Country Championships at the Domain on the 22nd of August. We will notify you as we receive more details. Traditionally, representation from Newstead is strong and we are again looking to have a sea of yellow shirts at the event. All individual runners are also automatically part of a Newstead team and team medals will be awarded. Please let us know if you are considering this event. Age groups are from Under 14 through to Open. (Masters athletes if registered with Tasmanian Masters are also awarded medals in 5 year age groups). We are still waiting to hear news on a Primary State event.

See you next Saturday at Hoblers bridge for a great new fast flat course, meet at the car park to the dog park (beside the bridge).

Published by Barbara