A stunning weekend was experienced by our runners & walkers. Frosty mornings led to sunny winter days.
The Waratah Series Challenge and Greater Bank Fun Run conducted by Athletics NSW on Saturday at our home course Willandra, featured State Age Championship events in cross country from Under 12 years to over 70 years.
Despite technical problems with results for many events, from all appearances the four Victory Runners who competed extremely well in the under 12yrs girls 2k event should be rewarded with a state team medal. (Team positions are calculated by adding times of first 4 runners from the same club to finish.) 9yr old Alyssa Sim led our team home, finishing in a great time of 9:20 followed closely by Mia Jobson, and not far behind were Amelia Sim & Ruby French.
We are extremely proud of these four youngsters, plus 11 year old Hailey D’Ombrain who competed in the under 14 years 3k Championship placing 23rd in a very good time of 12:16. All five girls have made history for Victory Runners in the clubs first ever State event for Athletics NSW. In addition to the Championship events a number of members took the opportunity to run in the Greater Bank Fun Run which was a good opportunity to wear the attractive new club uniform.
Club President Kevyn Davis was disappointed his injury kept him from competing for Victory, in what was to be his 50 years of state events, however from the number of comments received, his unique display of poultry was very popular. This, plus the free Pony Rides, Jumping Castle activity, good weather, great food, challenging course and most important of all, an amazing exhibition of ‘top’ cross country running from all competitors added to a very successful event for 2018. Only one complaint – the events should not be so close together. Perhaps if this was not the case, the problem with results could have been resolved much earlier.
In summing up the day, my personal thanks go to family and friends who assisted in the following areas, canteen, parking, program handlers, drink station and course officials, your involvement was very much appreciated.
A frosty Sunday morning followed again by blue skies and sunshine was the perfect setting as 35 Victory Runners and three beautiful four legged family members lined up for their run & walk activity, over the various distances from 1k to 6k on Willandra’s grassy slopes.
A very tasty morning tea followed and enjoyed by all. More importantly this gave us an opportunity to bid bon voyage to members Erich & Eva Moeller – Duhme and their neighbours, the Harrison Family of five.
Both families are leaving this week for a number of weeks over seas. Eva & Erich were thrilled our new uniforms arrived in time and definitely intend wearing the Victory colours of blue & orange in Germany for running events they have planned to compete in.
In reflecting over the past months since Victory Runners became a reality, the bond of togetherness, the success of Saturday and the thrill of witnessing our young members competing, I came across the following quote by Henry Ford which sums up how I feel.
The success of Teamwork
Coming together is a beginning,
keeping together is progress,
working together is success.
Results
| Names in finish order | Time | Distance |
| Lexie Burinaga | 5.47 | 1k |
| Eliz Onsel | 6.06 | 1k |
| Vanessa Braddick | 8.04 | 1k |
| Lulu Wilson | 14.02 | 2k |
| Megan Johnson | 14.28 | 2k |
| James Wilson | 14.34 | 2k |
| Rhys Burinaga | 14.35 | 2k |
| Sophie Braddick | 15.11 | 2k |
| Gabi Johnson | 15.13 | 3k |
| Zali Wilson | 15.30 | 1k |
| Emily Burinaga | 17.04 | 3k |
| Mia Jobson | 17.26 | 1.5k |
| Alyssa Sim | 17.30 | 3k |
| Neal Johnson | 18.10 | 4k |
| Zara Jobson | 18.57 | 2k |
| Scott Jobson | 18.59 | 3k |
| Darcie Johnson | 19.41 | 3k |
| Cooper Penny | 19.43 | 3k |
| Bec Johnson | 19.44 | 3k |
| Kanun Onsel | 20.57 | 2k wlk |
| Melzon Burinaga | 20.58 | 2k wlk |
| Cameron Harrison | 21.06 | 4k |
| Tracey Burinaga | 22.44 | 2k wlk |
| Hati Onsel | 22.45 | 2k wlk |
| Stewart Sim | 23.14 | 4k |
| Ruby French | 23.44 | 4k |
| Selin Onsel | 25.59 | 4k |
| Tanyel Onsel | 26.39 | 4k |
| Bella Rose | 26.40 | 4k |
| Melissa Jobson | 27.05 | 2k wlk |
| Leonie Whiting | 28.38 | 2k wlk |
| Elaine Davis | 28.39 | 2k wlk |
| Eva Moeller – Duhme | 42.56 | 6k |
| Kevyn Davis | 50.10 | 4k wlk |
| Erich Moeller – Duhme | 50.10 | 4k wlk |