Sunday morning’s race in Ararat was run and won in clear, crisp weather conditions, perfect for club runners to challenge themselves over eight kilometres on a challenging course. The Fenn Family race was started according to handicapped times, with the frontmarkers setting off first and the backmarkers chasing them down. This course could be described as a mixed bag of lollies, a bit of everything!
There was mud, puddles, sand, dirt roads, tree roots, rocks, rutted tracks, undulations rising to something that resembles the runner’s version of a rollercoaster in the middle section, long winding gentle up and downhills in the later part of the race with a gradual rise to the finish at Bridal Hill Picnic Ground. Many of the post- race discussions consisted of how runners navigated around the big puddles, how slippery the mud was and “those hills!”
Tessa Thompson was our winner, with Matt Haddow in second place and Jess Hunt taking third. Tess has been consistently placing on the podium throughout the season, and today’s win was very well deserved. Being a backmarker and the second last runner to start required her to pass everyone out in front, many would comment how strong and fast Tess looked as worked her way through the field.
The fastest time for the day was also taken out by Tess with Jess Hunt the second fastest female time, Gabe Tonks was our fastest male and Matt Haddow also placing the second fastest male time.
Thanks to the Fenn Family for sponsoring this race, and to David and Leanne for coming along. Club races could not proceed without the help of our volunteers, many thanks to Paula Pettingill and Julie Hertz for timekeeping, Peter Gibson and Mark Thompson for track marking, and to all of the helpers who work quietly in the background to ensure our races run smoothly.
Our next club race is a joint race with the Stawell Amateur Club at Concongella Vineyard this coming Sunday for the G & R Rice 6.5km handicap race, please arrive at 9.15am for a group start at 9.45am. F