Melissa Duncan and Seth O’Donnell have taken out the Victorian cross country championships at Bundoora Park.
The event, which doubled as the selection trials for next month’s Australian Cross Country Championships in Adelaide, were held over a 10km course which was reasonably firm under foot despite patches of mud. 
Box Hill’s Duncan made easy work of her victory, winning by over a minute in a time of 35 minutes, 44 seconds. Taking the silver medal was Keely Small (36:47), while Glenhuntly team mate Emma Hogan (37:06) held off a spirited chase from Amy Robinson (37:08) in the battle for the bronze medal. 


In the men’s race Box Hill’s Andre Waring made a front running effort and held a small lead through a majority of the race. However, it was Mentone’s Seth O’Donnell who proved stronger over the final lap, running away for victory in 30 minutes, 8 seconds. 
Waring finished eight seconds adrift, while Knox’s Lachlan Herd claimed the bronze medal in 30 minutes, 32 seconds.
Logan Janetzki from Glenhuntly and Skye Ellis from Geelong Region were the winners of the Under 20 events, in 24:43 (8km) and 21:56 (6km) respectively. Cameron Marshall (10:13) and Georgia Powning (12:17) won the open 3km para events.
The event also hosted the Victorian schools cross country championships.
Photo Gallery
Here’s a small collection of over 200 photos from the open events.
Full gallery is available here.
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