Despite unfavorable weather conditions and a small number of competitors for the final activity of Victory Runners for 2022 the eight members who participated certainly performed well. Special Congratulations to nine year old Annie who managed to reduce her 1k record set a week earlier by 6 seconds.
Windy Willandra certainly lived up to it’s name as a Windy Welcome was given to Nowra AC & Kembla Joggers athletes for the Alltogether FunRun. However despite the windy conditions, by all accounts, participants enjoyed the activity. 1k Victory members certainly appreciated the competition as three youngsters ran excellent times to improve their Best times on Record. Well done to NAC 10yr old Tom Smart who finished just ahead of 12yr old sister Evie in a very close finish. and well done to 3rd visitor William Anderson who also helped push the runners. Due to the competition Annie Dziubinski managed to improve her time by 14 seconds while younger brother Thomas improved by 5 seconds. Youngest of the participants, Jai Burbage also improved his time to lower his record. Congratulations to all visitors for your participation and thank you for coming. Hopefully all enjoyed the change of venue and Well Done too, for finishing 1st in ALL distances ! Lily Sproul in the 3k, Dennis Smart in the 4k and Sharyn Bryce in the two lap 6k. The two lap 8k, a tough event in the wind, was a clear win to KJ’s 11yr old Axel Comer. 2nd home was Axel’s dad, David with NAC distance competitor Ming Leung a close 3rd. Thanks to all Victory members for your support. As there is still a Saturday left in September we will hopefully conduct Week 20 next Saturday 24th. Visitors very welcome. 3pm Start.
QUOTE of the MONTH for September: We can’t go back and change the beginning, but we can always start where we are and change the ending – CS Lewis
Results
1k Distance
Tom Smart (Vis)
4.05
Evie Smart (Vis)
4.06
Annie Dziubinski (9yrs Record)
4.10
Layla Burbage
4.41
William Anderson (Vis)
4.48
Thomas Dziubinski (7yrs Record)
4.49
Cailin Burbage
5.05
Nykie Wilson
5.12
Jai Burbage (5yrs Record)
5.22
Irwin Burbage
5.23
Laura Burbage
6.08
1k Walkers
Julie Harrison
11.44
Charli Leadbitter
12.09
2k Walkers
Johanna Pichler
16.58
Heidi Jennings
19.48
James Murray
19.49
3k Distance
Lily Sproul (Vis)
14.25
Terry Bailey ( Vis. Wlk)
26.22
4k Distance
Dennis Smart (Vis)
17.49
Cristine Suffolk
20.08
Paul Duncan (Vis)
23.04
Razz Wilkins
23.33
Kirsten Pichler
24.40
Paul Jennings
25.16
6k Distance Note: 6k & 8k Competitors were visitors
Due to very wet conditions on Saturday 3rd September, plus a shortage of brave runners, we made the decision to not have an official run. However despite the very wet track on 10th September the events went ahead. Due to some excellent running our younger 1k runners managed to set new records for their ages. Congratulations to Cailin Burbage for breaking her sisters 8yrs Best time set in 2021. New member Henry Tait has improved his time over the past five weeks, from 6.00 minutes to just under 5.00 minutes. Henry continues to be the worthy holder of 8yrs Boys Best on record for 1k. Not to be out done by his sister, Jai Burbage didn’t allow the wet track to slow him down and finished in 5.34 to claim the third Best on Record for the afternoon. Well done to these three active youngesters. Despite very low participants in Week 17 and extremely cold conditions for running congratulations are in order for Razz Wilkins who managed an excellent 4k time to set a new record in her age category !
Another good afternoon of running and walking was produced by participants at Week 16 despite the very cold westerly wind. First home in the 1k, Annie Dziubinski sprinted strongly to the finish. Despite the wind, she still managed to be within 1 second of her PB and 9yrs record! Young Henry Tait also had a great finish and thrilled with a PB time of 9 seconds and lowering his 1k Record. Henry was also very excited when he discovered his mother Annalies had achieved a PB in her second run over the 1k.
Our consistent 3k Walkers, Heidi and James also achieved a well deserved PB by over 1 minute. Well done to all participants. Pleased to welcome Matt Brennan and daughter Lucy after about eight years break of running at Willandra.
Despite the 2021/22 season drawing to a close at the end of September, families and individuals are still very welcome to come along each Saturday arvo for run or walk, starting at 3.00pm.
August Quote for the Month. To be yourself, in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else, is the greatest accomplishment. Ralph Waldo Emerson
A touch of Spring weather greeted participants at Willandra for week 15. Due to various reasons a number of regular members were absent, however we were pleased to welcome first timers Chris Page and daughters Hannah and Rosie.
Visiting from the Wollongong area it was lovely to see Kaja Wolter and her family. 13 year old Kaja has been named in the ANSW U14 team for the Australian XC Championships on 27th August in Adelaide and keen to train over a 3k course.
Young Henry Tait, turning 8 in December set himself another PB in only his 3rd run over the 1k and actually set a Best time on Record for boys 8yrs 1k. Well Done.
Three other members have also achieved PB’s in the 4k distance for this season. In Week 14 Razz Wilkins improved by 14 seconds . Week 15, two more managed to chalk up a PB.
Consistent Jon Schol improved by 10 seconds and Cristine Suffolk was thrilled to take off 13 seconds after her very good category win a week ago when three Victory Members competed at the ANSW Short Course XC Championships at Bathurst. We extend Congratulations to Crissy for achieving the Gold medal, Bridget Fairs the Silver, 16yrs and Joel Harlor, Bronze in 14yrs.
A great result from our state standard members. Our XC season concludes at the end of September, however new families & individuals are very welcome to join us at Willandra any Saturday afternoon for a walk or run over the distance of your choice. 2.20pm for a 3pm start.
Willandra cross country course is finally starting to dry out, assisted during the week by sunshine and westerly winds. Annie Dziubinski simply flew around the 1k course barely touching the ground, to set a new 1k Record for 9yr girls.
Well done also to Jon Schol for a PB in the 4k and Crissy Suffolk also clocking a PB in the 4k for 2022 season. Pleased to welcome 6yr old Henry Tait for his first run over 1k finishing in exactly 6.00. Well done Henry.
Any one wishing to join us for a pleasant walk or a run over a distance of your choice, please feel free to join us at Willandra any Saturday around 2.30pm for a 3pm start.
Before commencing the activity one of very fast youngsters, Annie Dziubinski was Congratulated on her 17th placing in the 8/9 year girls State Cross Country all schools carnival at Eastern Creek on Friday.
Despite the lovely sunshine for most of the day, the showers returned before competitors had finished their events. Despite the slippery conditions, Razz Wilkins finished the 4k clocking up her best time for the season.
Quote for July It’s not what we have in life, but who we have in our lives, that matter most.
Much appreciation to the members who were able to join us for Weeks 10 & 11 activity. Despite extremely cold conditions and low participation numbers, enthusiasm and effort from everyone was very high.
Big Congratulations to young Thomas who set a new 1k record for his age. Well done to Kirsten Pitchler who improved her 4k time by over 30 seconds. Crissy Suffolk also ran well for a 4k PB for the season.
JUNE: Quote of the Month. Success is liking yourself, liking what you do and liking how you do it.
Just one week after the extremely well conducted Athletics NSW State XC Championships at Willandra on perfect a wind free day, the westerly wind retuned for Victory Runners 9th week of Saturday afternoon activity. Despite the cold wind however, our youngsters excelled themselves.
Thomas Dziubinski powered home within 7 seconds of breaking the Boy’s 7yrs 1k record. Sister Annie finished her 2k almost flying through the finish to lower her own record for a 9 year old by 7 seconds. Cailin Burbage also ran well to lower her sister Layla’s best time for an 8yr old. With an improvement in weather conditions it is possible these times will keep on reducing. It is also noteworthy to acknowledge two other members who improved their time last week at the State Championships. 8 year old Owen Harlor ran the 2k FunRun and reduced his record by 22 seconds set in early June ! 16 year old Bridget Fairs performed extremely well to place 4th in her age category, finishing in an excellent time of 15:29. Due to extremely wet conditions Bridgett hasn’t run an event at Willandra since her school carnival in April. A standout performance indeed.
Unfortunately due to recent illness 14year old Joel Harlor started his event but made a hard but smart choice to stop in the interest of his health. Saturday was the first State XC Championships for the Oke sisters, Madeline U12 yrs and Olivier U14 yrs, plus Evie Hill also in U14 yrs who had experienced a State competition. We are proud of these young girls for competing and doing their best for Victory Runners. At the other end of the age scale we were proud of Cristine Suffolk and Razz Wilkins who competed in the 6k Event – 50 years plus categories. Crissy performed very well on home ground and also the only Medal winner for Victory, placing third in 50 – 54yrs category with a 2022 PB time of 28:15. Razz enjoyed her run to place 5th in the 60 – 64yrs. In a time of 35:30.
The 2022 State XC Championships were a huge success. We have received many words of praise. A long time visiting athlete and supporter wrote – The day was a victory for Victory.
2022 being only the second year Victory has been involved, on behalf of Willandra & Victory we wish to acknowledge the following involvement. 14 course marshal’s, 6 car parking officials, in various positions around the venue. In the start & finish area. 14 others accepting positions of First Aid, Announcing, Drink Station, Post Event control, Medal Presenters and Victory Runners cake stall. These 34 individuals were from Victory members, family and friends. Without their help, plus a total of 30 volunteer Officials and ANSW staff who made the journey south, these Championships would not have been possible.
LASTLY and most importantly we acknowledge the 500 plus athletes, from 49 clubs, ranging in age and ability, who entertained us for almost four hours with an extremely high standard of XC competition.
We salute you all, please accept our sincere thanks.
JUNE: Quote of the Month. Success is liking yourself, liking what you do and liking how you do it. Wise words by Maya Angelou.
Windy Willandra certainly became a reality for our first week of winter. Many thanks to the 15 runners & walkers who braved the conditions.
A very big CONGRATULATIONS to Owen Harlor who set a new record for the Boys 8 years 2k time. All the best to Owen and Annie Dziubinski who are competing at their combined Schools State XC on Wednesday at Eastern Creek. We also pass on our best wishes to a number of Victory Runners who will be in action on Friday at the South Coast Regional Carnival at Willandra.
Preparations are under way for Saturday June 18th when Athletics NSW will conduct their State XC Championships at Willandra. These will also be trials for selecting the Australian team for the World XC event to be held at Bathurst in February.
If you are keen to see the Top XC runners in the state come and enjoy the day. First event starts at 11.20am and final event at 2.35pm. There is also an Open All Age Fun Run starting at 12.40pm. Info and entry details can be found on Athletics NSW website.
