Certainly no complaints concerning the weather this week, as Victory runners and walkers lined up for the start of week 4 activity.
Noting the Improvers of the Week starting with the 1k , our youngest participant was the only improver. Two year old Charlie Wells-Smith managed to improve by 2 minutes looking very happy as he crossed the finish and collected his place card. However the other young contestants may not have improved time wise but certainly enjoyed jogging and skipping around the distance with their friends, which is very important.
2k Improvers of the Week, Madeline Oke and Archie Halliday improved considerably by over 40 seconds. Despite low numbers in the 3k, three competitors earned the Improver title this week. 11 year old Evie Hill managed to reduce her PB from last year by 30 seconds and naturally was very excited. Olivia Oke improved along with Aiden Spicer, who had played a hard game of soccer earlier. Well done to these young members.
Moving into the slightly older group, the 4k distance produced 5 Improvers of the Week. Well done David Hill, Cristine Suffolk, Natasha Spicer, Razz Wilkins and Paul Jennings.
Our lone 6k competitor, Reuben Pichler managed another impressive two lap event to reduce his time from last week by well over a minute.
Not to be outdone by the runners and keeping it in the family, walker Carla Hill also improved.
Moving on to the ‘Top Times’ , new member for the 8k certainly proved his age of 70 plus is no barrier.
Rob set himself a best time on record for this season at Willandra of 43.43 for the 8k.
Naturally Reuben Pichler earned the Top Time Title for the 6k.
Scott Armstrong running his first 4k also earned the Top Time Title. 3k title was well earned by Evie Hill for her excellent run over this distance. 2k title was also achieved by the same winner from last week, young Madeline Oke. 1k title was achieved by our Australian T & F Championship competitor 13 year old Joel Harlor who joined us for a light 1k jog after competing at the Championships during the week.
On the subject of the week long Australian T&F Titles which was also a selection for the Tokyo Olympics, we were proud of our four representatives. Despite probably just being past their peak, Joel and Laylah Connelly would have benefited from the experience. Hailey D’Ombrain who had competed at the Australian XC Championships had experienced the Big Stage before. However, we wish to acknowledge Hailey’s achievement and Congratulate her on achieving a PB time and placing 5th. in the Under 16 2k Steeple event.
A great achievement for a tough little competitor in a very tough event. Our adult competitor 100m sprinter Lauren Johnson had experienced Australian Championships in her younger days. Speaking with her prior to the heats Lauren was looking forward to the event and catching up with some athletes from the past. She also claimed she was probably the second oldest. This in itself is a great achievement considering there were 45 entries making five heats.
It was a great honour to watch many of the events live on television via You Tube. Two of the most exciting events also involved two athletes known personally and have competed at Willandra a number of years in Regional Schools XC events. Both these athletes won an Australian title. Jaylah Hancock Cameron won the Under 20 1500m and was also 2nd in the Under 20 800m. Jaylah is also to be congratulated for achieving the qualifying times for the world U/20 Championships! Some will remember her from visiting us in 2018 after winning the Silver Medal at the World Youth Olympics in Argentina.
The second athlete, Jye Edwards in a thrilling finish became the Australian champion and qualified for the Tokyo Olympics winning the Open 1500m ! Commentators declared this was probably the most exciting finish of the week.
Brilliant results from two brilliant and humble athletes from the South Coast of NSW who have also enjoyed and appreciated running at Willandra.
Erich & Eva Moeller-Duhme emailed from there travelling trip to SA. Despite the extremely cold and windy conditions in Canberra last week, Erich finished the half marathon, but a little disappointed the time was slower than he had hoped for. Were in Mildura on Saturday 17th. and both enjoyed running in the 5k Mildura Park Run. Eva’s time was 34:46 and Erich certainly recovered from the half marathon, ran 27:49. No doubt they will enjoy more Park Runs on their journey.
Look forward to Week 5 Activity at Willandra Saturday 2.30pm 24th April. New members and families always welcome. Last week to recall our Quote of the Month for April
“Do What You Can With All You Have Wherever You Are.” – Theodore Roosevelt
Results
| 1k Distance | Time |
| Joel Harlor | 5.08 |
| Louise Harlor | 5.30 |
| Lucas Harlor | 5.35 |
| Riley Prince | 6.35 |
| Lucas Corsaro | 10.43 |
| Sofia Corsaro | 12.34 |
| Layla Prince | 12.44 |
| Leonardo Corsaro | 12.45 |
| Jake Prince | 12.46 |
| Charlie Wells-Smith | 13.32 |
| Darrin Smith | 13.33 |
| 2k Distance | |
| Lexie Burinaga | 9.55 |
| Jaida French | 10.00 |
| Madeline Oke | 8.37 |
| Archie Halliday | 10.28 |
| Anthony Corsaro | 10.39 |
| Lailani Halliday | 12.10 |
| Ashley Spicer | 12.40 |
| Kylie Oke | 12.42 |
| James Wilson | 14.53 |
| Lillian Corsaro | 16.34 |
| Christine Wilson | 17.31 |
| Nykie Wilson | 17.50 |
| Zahra Wells-Smith | 21.03 |
| 2k Walk | |
| Lizzie Hastedt | 25.39 |
| Millie Hastedt | 25.40 |
| Linda Hastedt | 25.52 |
| 3k Distance | |
| Evie Hill | 12.28 |
| Aiden Spicer | 13.29 |
| Olivia Oke | 15.00 |
| Johanna Pichler | 19.44 |
| Marley Hewatt | 16.05 |
| Holly Matthews | 23.51 |
| 3k Walk | |
| Carla Hill | 23.35 |
| 4k Distance Div 1 | |
| David Hill | 19.44 |
| Scott Armstrong | 18.40 |
| Cristine Suffolk | 19.22 |
| Cameron Harrison | 18.57 |
| 4k Distance Div 2 | |
| Melinda Day | 24.54 |
| Natasha Spicer | 22.48 |
| Razz Wilkins | 25.50 |
| Paul Jennings | 24.03 |
| Kirsten Pichler | 26.24 |
| Laura Prince | 30.43 |
| 6k Distance | |
| Rueben Pichler | 26.23 |
| 8k Distance | |
| Rob Pickard | 43.43 |