Beautiful autumn weather greeted runners for Week Eight Point Score activity on Saturday 11th. May at Willandra.
Numbers were down a little due possibly to some members having competed in their schools second level of XC carnivals during the week. Nevertheless, depleted numbers certainly did not affect the performances with many achieving impressive improvements.
In the 2k Section 1 our three young Illaroo Road school boys, Ayden, Cohen & Bailey finished 1 ,2 & 3 each reducing their previous best time by a few seconds. They were followed by young Tori Hill who along with Ayden managed to be the fastest girl and boy on the day.
Not to be outdone by brother Cohen, young Holly Matthews in Section 2 was first with a big 30 second improvement. Another great 30 second improvement was 3k winner, Courtney Harrison, both girls finished very strongly, so feel their improvement will continue.
2nd. & 3rd. places in the 3k were filled by young Evie Hill and teenager Brooklyn Henry who were both using the distance for trial and training, both achieving good results. They were closely followed by our two very consistent 3k competitors, Joel Harlor and Hailey D’Ombrain. Both started on a three-minute handicap and put in their usual 100% effort thru’ to the finish. They appreciated chasing Jai Carabine, a young visitor from Wonoona training for the Regional Schools carnival in June. Jai ran well off a two-minute handicap, and despite a very hard game of junior soccer before venturing south, didn’t allow Joel or Hailey to catch him.
4k Course also had some good improvements with young Cameron Harrison taking out the ‘biggest improver’ of the day with his 1st place in Section 2. Cameron improved by 43 seconds, just ahead of Stewart Sim, improvement of 39 seconds in 2nd place and 3rd. place, consistent competitor Natasha Spicer improved her time by 23 seconds.
Father and son were our only contenders for the two lap distances. Liam Hinchcliffe 6k and father David 8k. Both are probably more comfortable competing in triathlons which is their main sport, but they were a pleasure to watch as they ran with ease over the two laps. Thank you Liam & David, and thanks again to our weekly volunteers, course official Bill Seary, and ticket handler Julie Harrison.
With the weeks zipping by so fast, we wish to let all members know that on Saturday June 22nd. Athletics NSW are conducting the State Cross Country Championships at Willandra. This event, listed on Athletics NSW website as 2019 Waratah Run Series – XC Challenge (incorporating NSW Cross Country Championships)
As soon as we receive the program of events we will be able to publish more information. Please keep this day free as it is an event worth attending and participating in, especially when it is held almost in our own back yard.
Despite our quote for the month of May missing from our notice board on Saturday 10th. it will be back for Saturday 17th. In the meantime … here are the very wise words by Bill Bowerman, great American T&F coach 1911 – 1999
“Victory is in having done your best. If you’ve done your best, you’ve won.”
To our members competing in the Primary schools District XC carnival at Willandra on Friday, have a great day and do your best!
1k Course
| Name | Time | Points |
| Layla Burbage (Fastest Time) | 5.49 | 10 |
| Cailin Burbage | 6.31 | 8 |
| Layla Prince | 6.22 | 6 |
| James Wilson | 6.11 | 5 |
| Riley Prince | 8.24 | 5 |
| Jai Burbage | 6.58 | 5 |
| Zali Wilson | 10.20 | 5 |
2k Course – Section 1
| Name | Time | Points |
| Ayden Spicer (Fastest Boy) | 9.13 | 10 |
| Cohen Matthews | 9.41 | 8 |
| Bailey Newham | 10.23 | 6 |
| Tori Hill (Fastest Girl) | 11.24 | 5 |
| Ruby French | 12.24 | 5 |
2k Course – Section 2
| Name | Time | Points |
| Holly Matthews | 11.37 | 10 |
| Helen Mills | 12.28 | 8 |
| Carla Hill | 15.21 | 6 |
| Lulu Wilson | 15.20 | 5 |
| Bella Rose | 13.42 | 5 |
| Ashley Spicer | 17.56 | 5 |
3k Course
| Name | Time | Points |
| Courtney Harrison | 17.11 | 10 |
| Evie Hill | 13.46 | 8 |
| Brooklyn Henry (Fastest Boy) | 11.08 | 6 |
| Jai Carabine (Visitor) | 12.28 | 5 |
| Joel Harlor | 11.44 | 5 |
| Hailey D’Ombrain (Fastest Girl) | 11.58 | 5 |
4k Course – Section 1
| Name | Time | Points |
| Cristine Suffolk (Fastest Female) | 17.59 | 10 |
| Freya Robinson – Mills | 18.46 | 8 |
| Blake D’Ombrain | 22.50 | 6 |
4k Course – Section 2
| Name | Time | Points |
| Cameron Harrison (Fastest Male) | 20.38 | 10 |
| Stewart Sim | 21.57 | 8 |
| Natasha Spicer | 21.42 | 6 |
| Laura Burbage | 22.44 | 5 |
| Di Court | 26.10 | 5 |
| Laura Prince | 25.55 | 5 |
6k Course
| Name | Time | Points |
| Liam Hinchcliffe | 23.31 | 5 |
8k Course
| Name | Time | Points |
| David Hinchcliffe | 36.37 | 10 |