XCR ROUND 10

Thirteen teams (43 athletes) competed in the final round of relays at the Tan Track.  This event allowed for only 5 full days recovery after the ½ marathon.  However, a much shorter event (one 3.87km lap per athlete) made it much more do-able.   It was a cold and soggy morning, like something out of the series “I can jump puddles”.   We welcomed several invitation runners – Natalie Toohey and Claire Cox (U16), Natalie Harvey, and Oliver and Isaiah Drew (U16, and cousins of Zander Botha).   Sean Churchward made his 2nd appearance for the XCR season, and David Vaughan was back from injury.  Rachel White has also been absent for some of the winter season, and it was great to see her back.   

The U16 team of Harry Maddocks, Joel Denny and Alfie Onley won their age-group event in resounding fashion!  All 3 Lads are very high performers, and this was a great result to finish their season.  There were 2 other MU16 teams which were a family affair with Zander Botha and his cousins, the McLennan Lads, and Josh Kilmartin running well.   Bella Davey and the Kearney sisters, Lucy and Madeleine, formed a fantastic U18 team, and just missed a medal (4th).   Talise Botha and invitees Natalie Toohey and Claire Cox (U16) ran well, all finishing with smiles on their faces. Madeleine Kearney and Harry Maddocks were the quickest juniors at The Tan.   

The Open Men had 2 teams – a Div 2 team and Div 5 team; Div 2 with a very solid 6th, and John Portwood quickest, taking just 11:31 for his leg.   This was a great finish to the season in a very competitive Open men’s competition.   Women’s Open Div 3 achieved a 2nd placing, with 4 high quality athletes all firing.  Connor Gist was quickest, and Rachel White was only a couple of seconds behind.  Another excellent result for the Ladies. 

Lydia Rinaudo ran a very fast first leg for the Women’s 40+ team, as did Natalie Harvey for her Invitation 40+ team.  They were our fastest DAC Masters females.  The Women’s 40+ team of Lydia Rinaudo, Sue Kilmartin and Kath Gawthorn fared best, just outside of the medals in 4th.   Tim Denny (40+) and Campbell McLennan (50+) were the quickest of the male Masters athletes, and it was pleasing to have 5 Masters teams competing at these relays. 

 Special thanks to Club Helpers; Damian Maddocks and Shaun Onley at this event!    

 Congratulations to All athletes who competed in Rounds 10!   

Full results are presented below, with more information available at Results Hub.  Results Hub 

XCR Summary – Champion Athletes and Club Titles 

Open Short course competition – 6 individual events 

Connor Gist was ranked 8th “Champion Athlete” for XCR 2024.  She made a major contribution to the Open team in both relays and short course individual events, and this included a win in Round 6 (Bundoora 6km XC).  Connor had support from Masters runner Emily Allen.  However, the majority of female DAC athletes competed in long-course and the SC team finished down the rankings.   

DAC Men won the season title in the 50+, 40+ & Open!  

In the Male Open Short Course Competition, our Club Registrar, Campbell McLennan (50+) was ranked 2nd Champion Athlete.  As a Masters athlete, that’s quite a remarkable achievement!   Fellow 50+ athlete, Jason Merrett, was ranked 4th Champion Athlete, whilst Luca Scholes-Robertson was 7th for this season.  Luca won Round 3 at Lakeside and undertook long-course events in other rounds.   

The Masters men had this season ‘in the bag’, most opting for short-course events, and so sweeping the Open, 40+ and 50+ titles!   There were many very committed athletes in the Masters men’s team this season.   

Open Long Course Competition – 6 individual events + 4 relays 

The Open Men had a fight on their hands to finish the season out of ‘relegation danger’.  A pleasing final result – they finished 11th and remain within the Div 2 competition for 2025.   Matt Christy led the team, which included a number of high performers and stalwarts alike.  

The Div 3 Open Women looked great all season, with wins in some rounds, and in relay events.  They finished 2nd in season 2024 and will be going into Div 2 next season.  The Open Ladies were supported by some Masters team who ran Long Course. 

Juniors 

A number of our junior distance runners had very busy and successful winter seasons.  They combined school, club and Championship events, in addition to their other school, family and part time job commitments.  Junior competition was very tough for the entire season.   

The U18 Women saw Bella Davey shine brightly this season, though the U18 team struggled with numbers participating.  The Kearney sisters, Lucy and Madeleine pitched in for relays.  They finished 9th overall. 

U16 Women finished 15th 

U16 Men were extremely well represented with high quality young athletes.  The team were 2nd for XCR 2024, which was won by Essendon.  Harry Maddocks finished 4th Champion Athlete, which included his win in Round 9.  Joel Denny was 9th Champion athlete, and his future shines brightly.   Several others made excellent contributions, including Hamish McLennan, Alfie Onley, Zander Botha and Josh Kilmartin.  

U14 Women – There were some excellent relay results for the team, and DAC were light on numbers at other rounds.  8th overall.    

U14 Men – The team struggled with numbers this season.  However, Lewis McLennan showed amazing improvement and athletic maturity – 8th Champion Athlete in the XCR Season.   

Congratulations to All distance athletes on an excellent winter season!  

Several people deserve special thanks for their efforts in XCR Season 2024.  Matt Christy, our Winter Co-ordinator, was an extremely dependable leader for DAC.  He ensured that our ‘creature comforts’ were available at each event (table, snacks), along with managing the Open and Junior teams and Club Helpers and running the long course events himself. Campbell McLennan and family have been an ever-present force behind the Masters team and the DAC team generally.  Campbell acted as 40+ Team Manager, and brought along the tent, also running extremely well himself.  Darryl Kilmartin was his ‘right-hand man’ who put in a similar and highly committed way. Many tasks by the 3 went unnoticed – e.g. carrying heavy equipment to cars at the end of a long day at events, which included running themselves and attending to others’ needs.   We thank them immensely for their contribution!