The summer’s over, it’s time to run. Sunday, April 3rd, marked Stawell and
Ararat Cross Country Club’s first run for the 2022 season with the Rhymney
Reef 5km handicap, sponsored by Greg Patterson.
On a perfect morning, with only a light breeze blowing and the clouds sharing
the sky with the sun, twelve eager runners lined up for the mass start at the
old Rhymney cricket ground. We welcomed two new runners to the club, and
old runners enjoyed catching up.
The race is run over a 5km undulating course, there was a mix of asphalt and
dirt roads, and a couple of sections of rougher trail conditions. Our runners had
a couple of short sections of sharing the road with cyclists undertaking The
Great Victorian Bike Ride and then finished off with the last challenging
kilometre taking runners up the steep incline past the old Rhymney school site.
Well done to all runners and congratulations to new member, Sabine
Hamilton, for taking the win once handicaps were applied, followed closely by
Peter Gibson in second, another new member, Steve Madex, in third place,
and Tess Thompson clocking the fastest time. Many thanks to our track
markers, Jack and Peter, and to our timekeepers, Mark and Julie.
Next week’s race at Three Jacks Reserve, on the outskirts of Stawell, takes us
through the Ironbarks for the S & R Young Sportspower 5km handicap race.
New members are welcome or just come and join us as an invitational runner.
Race starts at 9.45am, so please arrive by 9.15am.