Annie Dziubinski (right) with 2 other NSW girls who received the Bronze Medal for 3rd place in the 12yrs Girls 3k Team event at the Athletics Australia Championships in Ballarat on 23rd. August.

Weatherwise it was a typical winters afternoon at Willandra for our final 3.00pm Saturday afternoon activity. Considering we also had more rain than normal during May, counting the Open Day early in March we were pleased to have a total of 24  weeks Running and Walkin

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All who competed on Saturday can be very proud of their outstanding efforts.  Check out the Results for the total of 8  P.B’s  with Thomas Dziubinski also setting a new Record for 10yr. old 1k event. Well done everyone as there were also some very close to their PB.

As many of our younger members slot into Spring and  Summer sport , may you find the  weeks you have spent  competing  with Victory at  Willandra to have been beneficial.

To the not so young, keep running and walking, remember you can still use Willandra during  the warmer months and please return for Autumn & Winter 2026.

We also send  our very “Best Wishers’ to Annie Dziubinski and Cristine Suffolk who are both travelling to Queensland as NSW team members for two different  Championships.

Annie will be competing in the Australian Schools  Cross Country  for School students 10yrs to 19yrs organized by the Schools from 7^th. to 10^th September on the Gold Coast and Crissy will be competing in the Oceanna Masters Athletics Championships in Brisbane 6^th. to 10^th. September.

Look forward to seeing  you all on Saturday 20^th. September for our Presentation Day and short AGM starting at 3.00pm. followed by a tasty afternoon tea provided by Victory Runners.

Quote for the Month:
“You will face many defeats in life, but never let yourself be defeated.”

Maya Angelou

Results

1k Distance

1.5k Distance

2k Distance

3k Distance

4k Distance

5 & 6k Distance

2 & 4k Walkers Distance

Walkers

Thanks to competitors who didn’t allow the extremely wet and muddy course deter them from running or walking their distance for Week 22

With our last official week of activity next Saturday 30^th. August we are very thankful despite more rain than normal and less westerly winds than normal our total weeks for the season will be 24 counting an Open day on the first Saturday in March.

Most importantly we are pleased to report our five members who were competing at Ballarat in Athletics Australian Cross Country Championships all did well. Apparently conditions were very cold, the course had man made mud, logs to jump, sandy patches and was basically flat.

The experience gained from competing on a completely different coarse with large numbers of competitors would have been very beneficial.

Cristine Suffolk, who has had many years of this, certainly deserves CONGRATULATIONS. Competing with all the male & female Masters 4k event, placed 1^st in the 55 – 59yrs. Age category in a great time of 18:30. Well done …. a great effort Crissy.

Annie Dziubinski who placed 9^th in her 12yrs 3k event, ran well to finish 2nd NSW competitor and was awarded a Bronze Medal in the Team section. Brother Tommy, running in his first National event in the 10yrs 2k distance finished in a good time of 8:33.

Our two 11 years 3k members , Owen Harlor finished in the 40’s in a time of 11:49. Cleo MacArthur, finished in the 20’s in a good time for the 3k of 12:19.

We hope these youngsters all enjoyed the experience of an Australian Championship.

We look forward to seeing you all at our 3.00pm final event on Saturday 30^th. August and our Presentation Day and AGM on Saturday afternoon 20^th. September.

Quote for the Month:

“You will face many defeats in life, but never let yourself be defeated.”

Maya Angelou

Results

1k Distance

1.5k Distance

2k Distance

3k Distance

4k Distance

Walkers

Despite low numbers and a wet track due to very cool weather, certainly did not deter the 30 runners and walkers from enjoying their events.

A very big CONGRATULATIONS to Laura Prince who managed to set a new record for the 30 – 39yrs 6k distance, running a minute faster than Week 20. Well done Laura and well done to the five other members who managed P.B’s in their events.

We are very proud of our five members who will be competing at the Australian Cross Country Championships in Ballarat on Saturday 23^rd. August. We are confident all will do their very best as they line up in their age category with the top competitors from all over Australia.

A fantastic experience to have this opportunity for Thomas Dziubinski our youngest, through to 11yr. olds Cleo McArthur and Owen Harlor, 12yr old Annie Dziubinski and 55yr old Cristine Suffolk.

Early information to all members re our Awards Afternoon and short Annual Meeting will be held on Saturday afternoon 20^th. September at Willandra. Further details later.

Our Saturday afternoon 3pm. run/walks will conclude on the last Saturday of Winter 30^th.. August.

Due to the forecast for a very wet week leading up to Saturday 23^rd please check Facebook on Saturday morning in case the course is flooded.

Quote for the Month:

“You will face many defeats in life, but never let yourself be defeated.”

Maya Angelou

Results

1k Distance

1.5k Distance

2k Distance

3k Distance

4k Distance

6k Distance

2k Walkers

3k Walkers

4k Walkers

Fortunately for us, the rain that was falling on coastal towns did not come our way at Willandra.  Despite the damp course many runners and walkers managed some very good times.

Young 8yr old Eden Economos took line honors finishing  the 1k in a very good time  of 4:56 It was a good day for the Economos family with sister 3^rd in 1k, Mother Rachel 2^nd in the 2k, and 11yr old brother Hudson 3^rd in the 3k and also achieving a PB.

However it was great to witness four well deserving members of varying ages also achieve a PB.  Well done Joshua Astin-Briggs & Frank Stevens 3k and Annalies Corse 4k. while Di Court managed a PB  in the 3k Walk.

Another interesting happening regarding times when looking for improvements was the fact that brother and sister Jackson and Zara Golding both ran the exact time for their 4k and 1k distance as they had previously.  (Week 18 4k and Week 15 1k).

Some very exciting news involving the Athletics Australia Cross Country Championship to be held in Ballarat on Saturday 23^rd August.  3 of our members, namely Annie Dziubinski, Owen Harlor and Cristine Suffolk are NSW Team members and Cleo Mc Arthur and Tommie Dziubinski are competing in their age category as additional members.

The opportunity of competing in this National event will be a great experience for all five Victory Runners. Congratulations …… We know you will all give your very best.

Come join us at Willandra  for Week 21. Walk  or  Run the choice is yours.                       Saturday 16^th August at 3pm.

Quote for the Month:
You will face many defeats in life, but never let yourself be defeated.
Maya Angelou

Results

1k Distance

2k Distance

3k Distance

4k Distance

6k Distance

Walkers – 3k Distance

Two very interesting events were held this past week regarding Cross Country Competition.

This is when students from State wide schools in NSW had achieved representation through their Regional / State Cross Country Carnivals to attend the Secondary or Primary All Schools State Carnival at Horsley Park on the outskirts of Sydney.

The Secondary schools event was held on Tuesday 22^nd. July with Annie Dziubinski in the 12 years 3k being our sole competitor.

In just over a month from becoming the Athletics NSW 12 years State Champion, Annie proudly had a great run leading all the way and achieved her second Gold medal as Secondary All Schools 12 years Champion.

Due to her finish time Annie also received automatic selection in the girls 13/12 years State Team to compete in the Australian Schools Cross Country to be held in Queensland in early September.

Prior to the All Schools event Annie received automatic selection in the Athletics NSW team for Athletics Australian Cross Country Championships in Victoria in August.

We would also like to congratulate a former Victory member who trains at Willandra, Joel Harlor for placing second to receive the Silver Medal for a top run in the 17yrs All Schools 6k event

Victory Runners were also thrilled to have Cleo Mcarthur 11yrs who achieved selection for the South Coast team to compete in the Primary All Schools Cross Country on Wednesday 23^rd. With over 90 competitors in her event we are very proud to report Cleo came 24^th. Well Done to these 3 very talented competitors.

After 18 weeks of running at Willandra it was decided to change directions and run or walk all distances in reverse for Week 19, Some found this a little difficult and finished up running a little longer than intended !

Howerever, a very BIG CONGRATULATIONS to 5 year old Mackenzie Schofield who was running her 10^th. 1k for the season certainly didn’t let the reverse order worry her. Mackenzie was 1^st to cross the finish line and achieved a very big PB. Her very excited exclamations at the finish was wonderful to see. Strangely enough she was only 2 seconds in front of Annie who also set a record for 12yrs 2k.

For some reason Athletics NSW have not included August, the final month of Winter in 2024/25 season, Victory Runners will continue to hold activities at 3.00pm to the end of August.

Why waste a month of keeping fit for the start of all the Spring / Summer Sports? As always visitors are very Welcome to join in.

Next Saturday 2^nd August will be our Afternoon Tea Treat and members are requested to invite, as a guest, someone older than themselves eg grandparents, aunts, uncles etc.

Quote for the Month:
“Never begin to give up, and never give up beginning”
Frauke Bolten – Boshammer.  Author.

Results

1k Distance

2k Distance

3k Distance

4k Distance

6.5k Distance

10k Distance

Walkers

Perfect weather conditions were appreciated by participants and supporters for Week 18 of our winter activity.

Because some great times were recorded by a number of competitors, the following runners are to be congratulated for their notable effort.

First across the line, Annie Dziubinski set a very fast time for the 1k event, and achieved a Best Time on Record of 3:34 to establish a pre teenage record. Well done Annie for setting the bar very high.

The following youngsters all achieved a PB for their distance.

Georgia Schofield, Amarni Economos, Hudson Economos.

Not to be out done the youngsters Annalies Corse, Paul Jennings and Derek Schofield also clocked a PB for their distance.

Well done also to Jai Burbage and Cristine Suffolk who both reduced their best time for age records.

Henry Tait challenged himself to improve on his Mile distance of last week and did so with an 18 second PB.

Last but not least, keen youngster Jackson Golding, a very consistent competitor in the 3k, ran 4k for the second time and achieved an excellent time of 18:56. Well done Jackson, a great effort.

Finally, a very big Thank You to all who helped in the celebration of another year being added to the reporters age,  It was not expected but very enjoyable.

Looking forward to a nice winters day for Week 19 Saturday 26^th July.

Visitors, runners or walkers all welcome to join us at 3.00pm.

Despite most clubs concluding their activities in July, with still a month of winter left, Victory will continue through August.

Quote for the Month:
“Never begin to give up, and never give up beginning”
Frauke Bolten – Boshammer.  Author.

Results

1k Distance

2k Distance

3k Distance

4k Distance

5k Distance

1k Walkers

3k Walkers

With school holidays and some of our families at the Athletics NSW & Little A’s  State Short  Course Cross Country Championships  at  Dapto, as expected our  numbers were also lower than normal.

Club president had organized a slightly different start just to be different.  Competitors were given the opportunity of running  a timed  one mile distance (1.6k)

Any who wished to run further dropped their place ticket in and kept going.

However  the 21 competitors all enjoyed  the lovely winter afternoon,  with 17 running  the XC mile event and six opting to continue running another distance to add to their mile sprint time.

We were also pleased to have a visiting competitor who ran the 10k distance. Well done Michelle and thank you for coming.

Congratulations are in order to Cristine Suffolk who  won  the Gold Medal in her age category   (55 – 59  4k event)  at the Short Course XC Championships at Dapto. Thank you Crissy, another great effort.

Many thanks to the  families of Ashleigh and Joshua Astin-Briggs, Annie and Tommy Dziubinski, Owen Harlor and Cleo McAarthur who travelled to Dapto  with the six keen young athletes to compete in the Short Course also. No medals , but  the opportunity of running with others in  their age group on a different course is all great experience. Well done everyone !

Hoping the cool winter weather continues without the wind. We look forward to Week 18 on  Saturday 19^th.  July at 3.00pm.   Visitors always welcome.

Quote for the Month:
“Never begin to give up, and never give up beginning”
Frauke Bolten – Boshammer.  Author.

Results

1st Mile

2k Distance

10k Distance

3k Walkers

Combined time for mile & distance

Results

1k Distance

2k Distance

3k Distance

4k & Over

Walkers

Results

1k Distance

1.5k Distance

2k Distance

3k Distance

4k Distance

5k Distance

6k Distance

10k Distance

Walkers

A very BIG vote of thanks  to the 30 plus Victory members who assisted in a great variety of tasks during the event  to make  the 35^th State Championship Willandra Cross Country Venue has hosted for Athletics NSW a great success.

The Victory Runners Cake Stall continued to be very popular and financially successful. Many thanks to our great cooks who contributed the items.

As a small winter club, Victory Runners we were very proud to have had 12 members who competed in the Championship events in their age categories.

To add to the excitement of the day all 12 competitors ran PB’s.

Two of these 12 members added to the excitement when Annie and Cristine were each awarded the Gold medal for becoming  the State Champions in  their Age  Category!! Check out these excellent results listed below from youngest to oldest.

Results