Conducted at Seven Mile Beach, Gerroa 8.00am Tuesday 26th January 2021

2k Results

5k Results

Bush ‘n Beach Report – Running and Walking for Fun –

Unfortunately, the venue had to be moved from Shoalhaven Heads Surf Club, due to high tides and sand movement during 2000 affecting the access to the beach. The new location moved north along Seven Mile Beach. The 2k distance was out and back, entirely using the lovely bush heading north from Berry’s Beach Picnic area. The 5k start also used this path for approx. 2.5k before being directed onto Seven Mile Beach to run 2.5k south along the beach finishing at the start area.

Victory Runners pass on our thanks and appreciation to the 34 runners and walkers who participated. Local youngster Charlie Britton was first to finish the 2k in a good time of 10:15. Lexie Burinaga 1^st female, finished 2^nd. in 10:40. Once again for the second year running, Bradley Sawyers took out line honours in the 5k and improved his 2020 record time by over 1 minute, completing the distance in 19:00 minutes. However, well done also to another local lad Jordan Pickard who completed the tough course in 20:07.  Congratulations to first female, also local, Heather Powrie who finished in 29:24. The event had a good range of ages. 4yrs old Jai Burbage, and 6-year-old sister Cailin participated with lots of energy and enthusiasm in the 2k.

However not to be outdone by the younger generation, at the other end of the scale by a long, way we were very proud to welcome Rob Pickard and Eva Moeller – Duhme, two evergreens who managed to complete the 5k with ease.  Thanks to Victory members and friends who assisted with various tasks before the event and at the venue.

The organisation was appreciated by all.

December – January Catchup Report.

Due to the hot weather and some members enjoying the break, Victory has not formally organised weekly run / walk sessions for January & February. We are planning to start Saturday afternoon cross country events during March. Members will be notified by text of the start date. However, for those who are keeping fit with personal running or walking, that is great. Keep it up!

With January 2021 almost over and the holiday period drawing to a close, we have had some keen and ambitious track members achieving good results in events conducted by Athletics NSW during December & January.

Victory Runners are very proud of the athletes responsible. At the Illawarra Track Challenge conducted at Kerryn McCann Athletics Centre in Wollongong, on Saturday 16^th January, Hailey D’Ombrain turning 15 and Evie Hill turning 12 both contested the Open 3000m event. Both girls ran very well considering it was quite a while since contesting the distance and Hailey also recovering from an injury. Her time was 10:59.66 in 6^th place and young Evie was 12^th. with a good time of 12:25.01.

Young Joel Harlor entered the under 20yrs Mile event and placed 1st. in 13yrs & under, achieving an excellent time of 4:55.42. In the famous Albie Thomas Mile event conducted at Bankstown on 19^th December Joel ran 4^th place in an open mile heat clocking 5:07.46, so a 12 second PB in just under a month is a great effort.

Our ‘top’ young sprinter, 14yr old Laylah Connelly also competed at the Albie Thomas Permit Meet and selected to run in the 400mt A event. This was a great honour for Laylah and despite not running her best time, the experience she gained was very valuable.

We are also proud to report another sprinter has joined Victory. Lauren Johnson, who in her teenage years was an excellent sprinter. She is now married and mother of three and works full time, but also keen to get back on ‘Track’ and give it a ‘go’.

For her first event Lauren entered the Illawong High Velocity Meet conducted by ANSW at The Ridge Athletics Track on Saturday 9^th January. Competing in the 100m heats she clocked 12:72 placing her 14^th. out of 53 contestants and 200m clocked 26:21 placing her 11^th from 44 contestants.   These results encouraged Lauren to enter the 100m event at the Illawarra Track Challenge on the 16^{th of} January. This meet was advertised as having the ‘top’ all age sprinters in NSW. However Lauren enjoyed the challenge and ran 12:29 to rank 10^th out of the 60 women in the 100m heats.  Well done Lauren and thank you for joining our ranks.

Our very keen master’s athlete Cristine Suffolk has also been keeping fit. She enjoys competing with Kembla Joggers as a visitor. Ran a 5k road event on Tuesday 12^th January placing 20^th from a field of 59 and two days later went to their track meet on 14^th. and won the 3000m. This is good training for the NSW Masters Mid February and Country Championships, which will now be held the last weekend in February.

As a point of interest, In the NSW Combined Events Championships at Campbelltown during the past weekend, a former local Vincentia High School student, Samuel Taylor, now aged 20, won the Open Men Decathlon event, competing for Newcastle Runners.

While living at Vincentia Samuel was coached by Barry & Sharon Creer and gained State selection in Long Jump to compete in the Australian All Schools Championships. Since moving to Newcastle it is great to see he is continuing with athletics.

December has been a good month for some of our keen competitors in their favourite events, for this reason Victory takes this opportunity to “CONGRATULATE” the following members for their great results during this period as 2020 draws to a close.

Hailey D’Ombrain competed in the 14 years 2000m Steeple Chase at the ACPE NSW All Schools Championships last week and won the Silver Medal, her time of 7:45.34 was a PB and well below a National qualifier.  A great effort from Hailey in a difficult event and an excellent result for Ulladulla High School.

Our second contestant, representing Vincentia High, 14-year-old sprinter Laylah Connelly ran two PB’s to qualify for the 200m final, placing 6^th and 4^th in the 400m final. Her 400m time of 58:97 was well under the National qualifying time also.  Laylah’s sprinting results are a credit to her as both the 200m and 400m had at least 25 competitors in each event.

On December 1^st. and the other end of the age scale, our very keen master’s competitor Cristine Suffolk managed to set a new 5k road record for 50 – 54yrs at Kembla Joggers fortnightly Summer Series. Despite the extremely cold southerly wind on December 10^th.  Cristine competed in KJ’s Open Track Series and set another 50 – 54yrs record in the 2k Steeple Chase clocking 9:27.9.  Cristine really appreciates the   opportunity and competition KJ’s provide over a wide range of track events for runners of all ages.

Last, but not least, very dedicated 12yr. old Joel Harlor has been achieving great results in one of his favourite distances events. While competing at Illawong AC High Velocity meet on Thursday 3^rd December, Joel ran an excellent 1500m race and lowered his PB time to 4:36.0.  This time was also well below the National qualifier for his age.

With Christmas just around the corner Victory Runners wish all members and families an enjoyable Christmas celebration and a safe and relaxing holiday period and please keep fit and well.   For members involved in ANSW events please keep us posted on your results.  Our plan to start running and walking activities for late January will be publicised in the new year.  Keep in mind Tuesday 26^th January – Australia Day Beach Fun Run / Walk. Plus, the NSW Country Track & Field Championships to be conducted at Mingara on the Central Coast 29^th – 31^st January 2021. Program should be posted on ANSW website very soon.

Summertime End of Year Quote Quote:
~

As the year comes to an end, don’t look back on yesterdays disappointments.
Look ahead to God’s promises yet to unfold

– Buky Ojelabi

Unfortunately, our Saturday afternoon activity planned for Berry’s Bay on the 28^th. November had to be cancelled due to the extreme heatwave conditions.

Our final Summertime Activity for 2020 will be at Willandra from 6pm on December 5^th.  Some fun events are planned as well as the walk / run activity.   Anyone wishing to bring a picnic evening meal please feel free to do so. The BBQ will be available. Former members and additional family members very welcome.

Since the start of the Summer Season some of our members have been competing for Victory Runners at a variety of venues.

On 24^th October the first of the Interclub competitions conducted by ANSW at Bankstown, 14yr old Hailey ran a great time of 7:51.28 in the 2k Steeple Chase. A week later Joel chose Sutherland Interclub to run 1500m and was the first 12yr old to finish in 4:41.67.   Dual athlete and Victory’s top sprinter, 14yr old Laylah Connelly competed at Illawarra Blue Stars Interclub competition on 15^th. November clocking excellent times for the 100m 12:79 and 400m 1:00.64.  The following week, Saturday 21st November Sydney Uni Interclub and State 3000m was conducted at SOPAC and was very well supported.  Entries were well up with 10 seeded heats in the men’s 3000m event!

Joel Harlor ran in heat H and placed 9^th out of the 22 competitors finishing in a great time and a PB of 9:44.22.

New member, Troy Whittington was seeded in the A heat and also ran an excellent time and a PB of 8:29.13. Considering Troy is basically a tri-athlete this was a rewarding race for him and Victory is very proud to have him on board.

Cristine Suffolk has also enjoyed running with Kembla Joggers at their fortnightly Tuesday XC Summer Series.

From all accounts she is not far off the 5k Best on Record time for her age category. She is also a keen competitor at their Thursday Open Track nights.

The following young girls are enjoying track & field with local LA centres.   Sisters Layla & Cailin Burbage, Evie & Tori Hill, Olivia & Madeline Oke, Laylah & Haylee Connelly and Lexie Burinaga are all appreciating the variety of summer events.

Last week, via Athletics NSW one of the States longest serving volunteers, Rod Gibb OAM, was bestowed a Distinguished Long Service Award at the Sport NSW Community Sports Award, held virtually due to COVID-19.

Rod is well known locally for his work on their family cross country venue, Willandra. This is just a tip of the iceberg of the volunteer work Rod does for the sport.

For almost 60 years he has been a key committee official at two different clubs in Nowra.  At club level he served as secretary for five years, treasurer one year, president eight years and patron 41 years. Became an ANSW Official in 1975. He has been a manager of numerous interstate teams.  Was privileged to be selected as manager of the Australian team to the World Cross Country and other teams to travel over seas.

His extensive cross-country experience and knowledge has been called upon throughout NSW and Australia for advice on cross country courses.

As Christmas approaches followed by the new year, we will take a few weeks break.  Activities for 2021 will be posted in INFO to KNOW, this will also include information on our Australia Day Beach Fun Run at Shoalhaven Heads.

We take this opportunity to wish everyone the Blessing of Christmas and an enjoyable 2021 to follow.

Summertime Quote:
~    Never regret a DAY in your LIFE    ~
GOOD DAYS give us HAPPINESS.  TRYING DAYS give us EXPERIENCE.
WORST DAYS give us LESSONS.   FULFULLING DAYS give us PEACE
VERY JOYFUL or VERY SAD DAYS   give us MEMORIES.

– (Anonymous)

Results

14th November ~ Willandra ~ Week 4

3k Distance

5k Distance

21st November ~ Callala Bay ~ Week 5

3.5k Distance

4k Distance

4.3k Distance

4.9k Distance

5k Distance

28th. November ~ Berry’s Bay ~ Week 6

Cancelled due to extreme heatwave conditions

The first week of Summertime Sunset activity at Willandra on Saturday 24^th. October weatherwise certainly was not very inviting.

However, eight brave runners were willing to take on the westerly winds on quite a wet track.  Reuben Pichler and Jon Schol ran really well, managing the 1k followed by two 2k laps for the 5k. Reuben, obviously feeling quite fresh, in his first run at Willandra did well to take out line honours just ahead of Jon.  Cristine Suffolk who was taking it easy due to not feeling 100%, unfortunately suffered a fall and was unable to finish.

Several apologies were received for the AGM held following the activity. A printed Annual Report was circulated. Due to COVID19 our winter was cut short by four months. This normally would have been our busiest period as activities did not start until early July. Paul Jennings was nominated and accepted position of President due to Kev. Davis not standing, Kirsten Pichler also accepted a new position on the committee. Following this short meeting, a tasty BBQ meal was much appreciated. Special thanks to Josef Pichler for his expertise on the BBQ.

Callala Bay was the very pleasant venue for week 2, Saturday October 31st. at 6pm, unfortunately we had more apologies than contestants!  However, despite the extremely heavy downpour of rain that had taken place Saturday morning, no damage was experienced on the out and back footpath for the activity which was much appreciated by the five members.

A new month and a new venue, Saturday 7^th November members gathered at the picnic area at Berry’s Bay for the 6pm start of yet another very pleasant run / walk on the sandy track through the bushland along Seven Mile Beach.

All runners were very complimentary on this enjoyable course with the option of completing distances around 4.2k or 6.2k approx. (one runner did manage closer to 8k, however did not complain!)

Special thanks to Razz Morgan who had earlier marked the turn around positions. Top marks Razz for the extra running distance required to do this much appreciated task.

We would like to encourage anyone interested in joining with Victory Runners at 6pm every Saturday afternoon to please feel very welcome to come along. The three venues are completely traffic free and very different. For the program please check out INFO TO KNOW section.

Week 4 – November 14^th. will be at Willandra. Anyone wishing to bring a picnic evening meal please feel free to do so. The BBQ is available and there is plenty of daylight after the run.

Summertime Quote:
~    Never regret a DAY in your LIFE    ~
GOOD DAYS give us HAPPINESS.  TRYING DAYS give us EXPERIENCE.
WORST DAYS give us LESSONS.   FULFULLING DAYS give us PEACE
VERY JOYFUL or VERY SAD DAYS   give us MEMORIES.

– (Anonymous)

Results

24th October ~ Willandra ~ Week 1

1k Distance

5k Distance

3.4k Walk

31st October ~ Callala Bay ~ Week 2

4.2k Distance

2k Walk

7th. November ~ Berry’s Bay ~ Week 3

4.2k Distance

6.4k Distance

7.5k approx. Distance