Doncaster 40+ Newsletter
(edition 60)
XCR Round 6, Bundoora, 23rd July
What a day! Saturday 23rd was the All Schools Cross Country Championships for our junior athletes, XCR Round 6 for Open and Masters Athletes, and our annual DAC fundraiser BBQ! Seven Masters Athletes, some with a little trepidation, took on 10km of rolling Bundoora Park hills. Some of the Masters athletes had kids in the school’s events. The scene was set for a great day of cross country running!
A vital part of the day was the annual Club fundraiser BBQ, which was very well patronised by athletes, officials and spectators alike. The total amount raised for the club was $2000! A number of club volunteers contributed to this BBQ by cooking, setting up and serving the hungry crowds. Some of the cooking also took place on Thursday and Friday prior, when batches of hearty soup and yummy treats were produced! Special thanks to all who helped! The funds raised will help pay for the many expenses and new equipment that have come with the track renovations. These facilities and equipment will have a long-term positive impact on all DAC athletes present and future! Thank you to those who contributed as volunteers – you are much appreciated!
DAC Masters athletes shone! David Vaughan was again in great form, fourth in the Men’s 50+ age- group. After starting the winter season with lingering injury, Campbell McLennan is also coming into his own. Deserving a mention are Jim Finch and Darryl Kilmartin who have been very consistent in their commitment and effort this season! For some, they’ve done all six rounds of XCR so far! Our three Masters Ladies – Kate Downward, Sue Kilmartin and Laura McLennan carried DAC in the Women’s event, and had a good day out over a tough course.
Thanks again to our BBQ volunteers and congratulations to all Masters Athletes who competed! A great day for DAC!
All Masters Results:
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Women’s Open and Masters (10km) |
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Kate Downward 49:56; |
W45+ |
7th |
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Sue Kilmartin 51:10; |
W50+ |
13th |
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Laura McLennan 1:01:36; |
W45+ |
10th |
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Men’s Open and Masters (10km) |
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Brendan Cullen 39.28 |
Open |
151st |
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David Vaughan 40:01 |
M50+ |
4th |
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Campbell McLennan 43:18 |
M45+ |
22nd |
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James Finch 56:20 |
M60+ |
19th |
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Darryl Kilmartin 58:00 |
M55+ |
23rd |
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NB: Placings above reflect those in the relevant 5 –year age brackets
XCR Round 7, Albert Park, 7th August
It was an early and frosty start to a Sunday, with the temptation to simply press the ‘snooze button’! However, 9 DAC Masters Athletes took on the Lakeside 10km Road Race.
The back grandstand at Lakeside was a buzz of activity before 9am; all anticipating the 10km mass start! We greeted running mates from DAC, Masters Venues, and other clubs alike! It was fantastic to be back in action for this annual event that needed to be cancelled in both 2020 and 2021. The large 10km field consisted of wheelchair athletes, all Open and Masters Men and Women, Under 20 Women, and Under 18 & 20 Men. The course required athletes to run from the stadium and cover 2 ‘out and back’ loops on roads surrounding Albert Park Lake. A bonus of these ‘out and back’ loops was being able to see the rest of the field as it snaked to and from the turnaround points; mates were shouting words of encouragement at each other! The 10km courses finished with a lap around the Lakeside track. A bonus about this was your mates cheering you around that final lap, and over the finish line adjacent to the back grandstand. Many athletes could then reward their efforts with brunch at some of the local eateries. A great start to a Sunday, and much better than hitting ‘snooze’!
The running conditions were excellent! Cool, and with almost no wind, fast times ensued. That was a bonus after the hard winter training. Lydia Rinaudo was the quickest of our ladies, and near the front of a large women’s field. Though Lydia has recently turned 40, she is considered “Open” for winter season. Likewise, Campbell McLennan has turned the big 5-0, but retains the M45 age group (and his youth), for this winter! AV have their own rules about age-groupings and cut off dates!! Jim Finch, DAC’s most senior athlete in XCR, surprised himself with an excellent run – 52.55, and is heading toward season’s end on a high! Several of the Masters Athletes demonstrated their progress over this winter season; for some, their pace over 10km in round 7 was similar to their pace over 6.2km at Sandown (Round 5). Some others have developed a few niggles and will appreciate a week off this weekend (Aug 13/14).
A big thank you to those members who assisted with officiating and volunteering at Round 7. Special thanks to the McLennan boys who stepped in to help at the water station, and to Nick Finch (son of Jim) out on the course, and snapping some of the wonderful action shots shown in this newsletter.
All Masters Results:
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Women – Open and Masters (10km) |
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Lydia Rinaudo 37.21 |
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(Open) |
19th |
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Kate Downward 47:18 |
(W45+) |
11th |
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Sue Kilmartin 48:49 |
(W50+) |
17th |
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Colleen Kelly 49:44 |
(W60+) |
6th |
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Kath Gawthorn 55.38 |
(W45+, INV) |
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Men – Open and Masters (10km) |
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David Vaughan 38:19 |
(M55+) |
6th |
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Brendan Cullen 39.57 |
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(Open) |
257th |
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Campbell Mclennan 40:41 |
(M45+) |
24th |
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Jason Merrett 46:52 |
(M45+) |
34th |
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Darryl Kilmartin 48:49 |
(M55+) |
26th |
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James Finch 52:55 |
(M60+) |
28th |
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NB: Placings above reflect those in the relevant 5 –year age brackets
Rounds 6 & 7 – new DAC Masters records
Congratulations to the following DAC Masters athletes who achieved new club records as follows:
Round 6
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Kate Downward 49:56; |
W45+ |
New record |
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Sue Kilmartin 51:10; |
W50+ |
Annabel Young (2019) 67.14 |
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David Vaughan 40:01 |
M50+ |
Dirk Janssen (2019) 52.59 |
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James Finch 56:20 |
M60+ |
New record |
Round 7
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Kate Downward 47:18 |
(W45+) |
New record |
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Sue Kilmartin 48:49 |
(W50+) |
New record |
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Colleen Kelly 49:44 |
(W60+) |
Evelyn Kuys (2019) 63.13 |
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David Vaughan 38:19 |
(M55+) |
Jim Finch (2019) 50.48 |
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James Finch 52:55 |
(M60+) |
Barry Murley (2015) 62.25 |
XCR Round 8 – Saturday 20th August
Round 8 sees us travel to Lake Wendouree (Ballarat) for another challenging road race. Open and Masters Athletes are tested by 15km, whilst Juniors compete over 5km. Entries close by midday on Wednesday August 17, and can be finalised via the member’s portal. Those requiring assistance with transport are asked to contact winter Team Manager, Matt Christie (winter.coordinator@doncasterac.org.au) or Campbell 0414533677
Official Opening of the New Track
Still to be confirmed, there will be an official opening of the new track, likely Thursday September 29. This will involve a Doncaster Mile, and 200 metres (150 for those over 50). Details are still being worked out, however, all DAC members are encouraged to come along and be part of this momentous occasion.