Season 2023-24 40+

Doncaster Newsletter 40+

Edition 77

XCR ROUNDS 2&3 

XCR Round 2 – Sunday May 7^th 

Round 2 saw 5 Masters athletes make the annual pilgrimage into Lakeside for the 10km road race!  The event was earlier in the season calendar this year; athletes stepping up to 10km – ready or not!  The weather forecast was atrocious, and it lived up to predictions; a ‘feels like temperature’ of around 5 degrees, stiff southerly and persistent rain.  The hail held off until about 10.20am, when all athletes were safely past the finish line!  DAC Masters numbers were down. The back grandstand at Lakeside was awash, except for dryness in the back few rows where athletes from all clubs huddled together.  The pungent smell of deep heat filled the air, but nobody seemed to mind, as we needed all the help we could get!     

The 10km start was chaotic, with almost 1000 athletes lined up for the 9am gun!  The road surface was extremely wet, and the rain continued; conquering 10km as quickly as possible was the task at hand.  Masters athletes who answered the call; Kath Gawthorn flying the DAC flag for the women, and 4 ever-reliable blokes (Brendan Cullen, Campbell McLennan, Jason Merrett, and James Finch) did us proud in the men’s event.  All gave their all in the challenging conditions.  After their efforts, hot showers and dry clothes and a hot beverage were particularly relished!   

Congratulations to all athletes who made the trip to Lakeside and braved the elements.  Thank-you to our club helpers Justin Botha & Matt Christy, and Laura McLennan (capturing the action on camera), on a very cold Sunday morning!   

Note: Only placings within top 10 provided above.    

XCR Round 3 – Saturday 27^th May 

6 DAC Masters athletes, along with their supporters, took the trip down the Calder Freeway to compete at St Anne’s Winery.  This was just outside of Bendigo, and for some, a 4-hour round trip!   Their dedication was impressive!  When they arrived, there was a pavilion set up with local hospitality including music, food and wine for sale, plus the bonus cow pats randomly visible in the grass nearby.  Thankfully that day, the cattle seemed to have been herded away from the area.  The DAC tent was a welcome sight; our camp for the next few hours.

Open and Masters athletes tackled a very tough 8km course – lots of undulations and uneven ground.  We were lucky with still and dry conditions, and the course being free of mud.  Some sections wound in and out of the vines, others took in the property boundaries – a few of us were lucky enough to get a ‘honk’ from drivers on the Calder!   However, the encouragement of other ‘Donnies’ and athlete-friends from other clubs was very welcome too!    

Brendan Cullen (40+) powered along, finishing in a little over 32 minutes.   Jim Finch (60+) was stoic over the long course; the short course available for his age group, just not within Jim’s determined mindset.  For him, the 8km long course it must be!  Campbell McLennan (M50) ran as quickly as possible to get on the road and home to “birthday girl”, Laura!  Congratulations Laura, and we all wish you a great year ahead!  Oh yes, Cam also had a recent birthday – all the best to him too!  Jason Merrett (M50) brought along his Mum, who was very sweet and spoke of Jason’s little athletics days……Jason reconnected with the sport in his 40s.  Glad you did Jason!  David Vaughan (M55) was making his first appearance of this XCR season and showed that he was in excellent form.   Some Masters ‘red zone rivals’ from Diamond Valley had made the switch to the earlier ‘short course’ and were teasing with their pizzas overlooking the last battle uphill for those on the long course.   Perhaps later, those completing the long course could have pizza and dessert? 

The Women’s Masters event was a little ‘light on’ with DAC competitors.  Lydia Rinaudo (W40+) was very impressive achieving 3^rd place among a quality group of female Masters athletes.  She was also not far off the pace set by those in the Open age group.  Kath Gawthorn was pleased to run the St Anne’s course 3 minutes faster than in 2022.   

Congratulations to all those who competed in Round 3; results are listed below, and more detail is available on AV’s Resultshub;   https://athsvic.resultshub.com.au/ 

Note: Only placings within top 10 provided above.    

Records  

These unofficial Club Records in Masters 5-year age categories are all about getting athletes to strive for their best, and to receive recognition for doing so.   

During round 2, the following records were either set or newly established: 

Lakeside 10km:  

Kath Gawthorn W45; 53.15 (new) 

Jim Finch M60; 53.45 (existing record Barry Murley 2015 – 62.24) 

Congratulations to All!  Special congratulations to Jim Finch for breaking relatively long-standing record of Barry Murley.   

Great Barrier Reef Masters’ Games! 

Kim Peak and Wendy Smith took a trip to Cairns to represent Victoria in these Games.  The temperature hovered around 27 degrees, and the girls supported each other for a weekend of competition and fun.  So much fun that there’s a few of us who might consider going next year!  Both achieved very impressive results, as follows: 

Congratulations to both who achieved new DAC club records in several of their events.  *Kim also achieved a Games Record with her hammer throw of 25.42m.   

DAC Recent AGM – 40+ Committee members

Many of the 40+ cohort fill Committee positions at DAC.  Congratulations to the following individuals who are in positions for season 2023/2024: 

Darryl Kilmartin – Secretary 

Graham Ford – Treasurer 

Campbell McLennan – Registrar 

Andrew Parrott – Facilities manager & council liaison

Colleen Kelly and Mary Tolcos  – General Committee 

Thank you to All for your continued service to the club!   

VMA Browne Shield – next event June 11.   

Do you want more racing action this winter?  The VMA holds a series of winter events known as the ‘Browne Shield’.  The next event (round 2) is the 8km Cross Country on June 11 (Sunday 9am), meeting at Collingwood Track, and racing in the nearby parklands.  Entries must be completed (via VMA website) by Wednesday June 7.  Medals are available in 5-year age groups, and the atmosphere is friendly and inclusive.  Competitors must be financial members of the VMA, and entry is only $10.   

Congratulations to Jason Merrett (M50) and Kath Gawthorn (W45) who achieved new DAC records for the 10,000m held on May 16.  This was the first round of the Browne Shield.   

XCR Round 4 – Cruden Farm – Saturday 17^th June 

Round 4 will take athletes to a favourite destination for cross country running; Cruden Farm.  Masters athletes will complete 12km over a course renowned for being “testing”.  Make sure you finalise your entry online by midday on Wednesday 14^th June; this includes those who’ve purchased the season XCR package.  Any questions – please contact Winter Coordinator (Matt Christy) as follows: winter.coordinator@doncasterac.org.au  

Club Helpers – XCR 2023 

DAC are required to provide a number of helpers/officials to complement the AV volunteer staff.  This year, we hope to recruit people who may be able to spare a couple of hours as follows: 

• Round 4 Cruden Farm – Sat 17^thJune 
• Round 5 Sandown Relays – Sat 8^thJuly 
• Round 10 Tan Relays – Sat 16^thSeptember 

These people can be friends, partners, injured or ‘summer’ athletes.  July 22^nd (Bundoora Park) is one of DAC’s main fundraisers where we turn on a BBQ/food stall for AV officials, and parents, athletes and spectators involved in the All Schools Cross Country Championships.  (This is followed in the afternoon by Open and Masters athletes competing in XCR Round 6 for DAC).  Please keep these dates in mind and contact Matt Christy if you may be able to assist.