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AV XCR08 R5 - Harcourt Long Road Relay |
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Written by Jeremy
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Thursday, 07 August 2008 |
Athletics Victoria XCR08 Series
Bendigo - Saturday, 28 June 2008
Long Road RelaysOne of the smallest Coburg Harrier teams in over five years descended upon Harcourt for the Coliban Long Road Relays. While conditions were as not as cold as in 2007, the weather was still cool despite the sunny skies. Three men's teams and our top women's team would tackle the arduous course
Leading off for the top men's team was John Braszell, who handed over to Josh Traine with the team in seventh place. Despite his best efforts, Traine dropped a place on this leg, with an outstanding run by a fellow leg runner propelling his club from eighth to fourth! Jeremy Grey took over from Traine and he recorded a solid time, picking up a placing to hand over to Ken Souyave with the team back in seventh place. When Souyave handed over to anchor and captain Philip van Dueren, the team were able to maintain their place and in a satisfactory performance equalled their seventh placing at last year's event
The second team - in Men's Division 4 - were ably led off by Edwin Cheung and he handed over to exciting youngster Josh Persson. Giving his all, Persson collapsed at the changeover as he handed over to an errant Mark Kelly. Fourth off was Rohan King who showed he is coming into a rich vein of form, running only a second slower on this leg than the Coburg Harriers in the team above him. And bringing the boys home was Warren Burke in a welcome performance for the club
Underlining the difference in personnel, four of the five runners in our third team - Division 5 - last year ran in Division 6, with only Brian Delaney bobbing up again in this division. The team was led out by Len Hallett and he was met by Daryl Thomson at the changeover. Daniel Norris was next off before handing over to Brian Delaney and Bernie Goggin ran the anchor leg. While the effort of each of these athletes could not be faulted, they would finish thirteenth
The women's team had a tough day at the office. Diane Brimacombe led off for the team, before handing over to Jo Francken still recovering from injury. Next off was Deanne Nobbs, and we were pleased to avail of her services given her Australian ultra marathon team commitments. Nobbs handed over to Stacey van Dueren before Jackie Steel brought the team home. This team was in thirteenth place from early on in the race and maintained this placing throughout
Afterwards, a fantastic meal was had at the team motel - the All Season's International - and much thanks to Philip van Dueren for organising such luxurious accommodation and the long run early the next morning. And as always, we are indebted to our officials who make the long trip and are under acknowledged for their hard labors BIG IMPROVER AWARD (from 2007 event)Mark Kelly : - 1:04
Brian Delaney : - 0:49
Jeremy Grey : - 0:09
ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD
This one goes out to the hardworking members of our Division 5 men and Division 1 women. They had a tough time of things and from about the second or third leg onwards, runners from each team were the last of the runners to come through each checkpoint. Well done guys on not giving in and showing true Coburg Harrier spirit BLOOPER OF THE DAYWell done to Mark Kelly who made it to Checkpoint 4 with fellow runner Deanne Nobbs in plenty of time to begin his leg. Kelly was very pleased with himself and was looking forward to his run when Brian Delaney arrived hurriedly on the scene to advise Kelly that his presence was in fact required at Checkpoint 3! The president had taken himself and Deanne to the wrong changeover!
Back at Checkpoint 3, Warren Burke was like a cat on a hit tin roof. He had stripped to his running uniform and was ready to go to the fill the void left by the errant president. Luckily for all concerned Kelly and Nobbs made it to checkpoint 3 – in Mark’s case with barely minutes to spare!
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 07 August 2008 )
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