XCR ROUND 6

Doncaster Newsletter

Round 6 – 20/07/2024

Round 6 took place on Saturday 20th July at Bundoora Park and consisted of three important elements.   Firstly, the All-Schools Cross-Country Championship of Victoria, serving as selection for the Australian All Schools Championship.  Several of our Juniors competed for their school in large and very competitive fields.   Round 6 was also a valuable fundraiser; stall and BBQ serving the parents, athletes, and officials.  Finally in the afternoon, athletes Open and Masters, and those U20 no longer at school, competed in the final individual cross-country of XCR 2024.   

The day was a ‘shocker’ – freezing temperatures, cold wind, rain, a little hail, and a very muddy and slippery course to boot.   The BBQ team set up from around 8am, and kept cooking and serving all day, before packing up around 3.30pm.  In such weather conditions, the number of customers was down on last year and the BBQ crew worked very hard for the fundraising effort.  Running in spikes was a distinct advantage; staying on your feet the first priority!  A couple of DAC athletes had falls, though with no major injuries, and we wish them all the best in their recovery.  The course was altered slightly on previous years – we didn’t scale the summit of Mt Cooper, however, there were extra hills elsewhere!   

All-Schools events commenced from 10am.  Chloe Baldock, representing Wesley College, won her U14 3km event – CONGRATULATIONS!  Josh Field (St Kevin’s) was 5th in his U14 3km, and just outside a podium placing.   Alfie Onley and Joel Denny (both U16) and Madeleine Kearney (U15) finished in the top 10 of their age groups, and these athletes all await news about their selection for the Australian All-Schools Championships in September.  Harry Maddocks, competing for Balwyn High School, was only just outside the top 10 (14th), whilst Lucy Kearney (U17) was 13th.   Several other junior athletes had a great hit-out in the trying conditions; a fantastic effort by Grace Baldock (at 10, stepping up to compete in the U14 event), Lewis and Hamish McLennan, and Ashok Sinnadurai.  A fantastic effort by these youngsters!   

The Open, Masters and U20 athletes took their chances during the afternoon, either on a short course (6km) option, or a 10km course.  Many competing had been assisting with the BBQ during the morning and did well to juggle both priorities.  Times were generally down on last year, when we enjoyed beautiful conditions and firm surface underfoot.  However, one big exception to this was Brock Goodings – in 2023 he ran the 10km in 50:28, this year smashing through in 44:47!   That’s a huge improvement in an athlete who works very hard in training.  The 6km event got underway first, and several DAC athletes had an extremely good run.  Connor Gist won the Open event; her first XCR win of the winter season.  Great job!  In the men’s Masters competition Campbell McLennan won the M50-54 division, Brad Sala was 2nd in M45-49, Darryl Kilmartin was 3rd in M55-59 and Jason Merrett was 4th in M50-54.  Their strategy to run the short course event has paid enormous dividends for the Men’s Masters team, who sit well clear in first position on the season ladder.   A great run by the Gents, some of whom took a tumble in the slippery conditions.  William Sullivan (Open) also put in a gutsy effort over 6km and managed to stay on his feet the whole way. 

Joel Tobin-White was 10th in a large Open men’s field, and the quickest DAC athlete over 10km (31:39).  Despite being unwell during the race, Anita Finch was the quickest female DAC athlete (45:38).  Perhaps she was in a hurry to get home to baby Tommy – Bundoora Park far too cold for the 6-month-old!   Joel was joined by fellow Div 2 athletes; Matt Christy, Nick Finch, and a much-improved Brock Goodings.  To make up the team were Masters athletes Tim Denny (10th place in M45-49), and the ever-reliable Jim Finch (M60-64), who set a new Club Record for his age group.  Several of the Masters ladies also made up the Div 3 women’s team over 10km – Lydia Rinaudo (9th) & Emily Allen (10th) in W40-44, and Sue Kilmartin (10th in W55-59).  These efforts placed the Women’s Div 3 team 3rd for Round XCR 6.  The Womens 40+ and 50+ teams placed 8th in Round 6.   

The BBQ and stall was a huge undertaking made possible by a large team of volunteers.  These people contributed by setting and packing up in rainy conditions, baking goodies, serving, flipping snags and much more!  Thank you to Ella McKracken, Liam, Hamish and Lewis McLennan, Campbell McLennan, Mary Talcos, Lula Parrott, Alessia Wynne, Colleen Kelly, Nathan Down, Darryl, Sue and Josh Kilmartin, Matt Christy, Andy Parrott, Kath Gawthorn, Antony Gottlieb, Angela Jordan and David Vaughan. Total raised for the club was approximately $3,000, which will go towards purchase of valuable equipment.  Thank you again to the team of volunteers!   

Congratulations to All who competed at Bundoora on Saturday!  Full results are presented below, with more information available at Results Hub.  Results Hub