Stawell and Ararat Cross Country Club held the Blizzard Family 10km Championship handicap on Sunday. Runners were lucky to get the course complete before the rain started. The loop course is run around North Ararat with runners racing on sealed handicap. Paula again encouraged all of the runners to the finish line in addition to timekeeping. The club loved to have Paul Fenn come run as an invitational runner for the event with Mark Thompson and Paul paced each other to the finish.  Mark was first home winning the Championship, with wife Tessa smooth with her run being the first of the ladies home.

Once handicaps were applied Shev Healy was announced winner of the Handicap race, 28 seconds clear of Sabine Hamilton in second. Sue Blizzard came in third a week after the Run Melbourne half marathon. Shev has had a long break between club wins, the last one was in 2019. The run was strong and controlled with Shev continually improving across the season with visits on the podium.  Shev remarked ‘I just love to turn up each week, running my own style of interval so I can finish the course’. Club veteran 79 year old Gary Saunders ran exceedingly well considering he’d completed a 10km run the day before with the SAAC.

Next Sunday 7th August we meet at Bridal hill in McDonald Park, Ararat for the Thompson Family 8km Handicap. Race fee $5 meet at 9.15am for 9.45am start. All runners are welcome to come along for a run with the club.