Close to a thousand runners took to the Tan for the final round of the Athletics Victoria XCR series.
With season premierships to be decided club spirit was high and competition strong around the iconic loop adjacent to Melbourne’s sporting precinct.
St Stephen’s Harriers took line honours in the Division 1 men’s event, winning the 6x 3.8km event by 33 seconds in 67:46 from Box Hill Athletics Club to also wrap up the premiership. Glenhuntly Athletics Club was third a further 91 seconds behind.
Impressively, Knox Athletics Club’s Division 2 team was even faster, with their sextet running 67:22, an average of 11:14 per leg.
Running for APS United Jordan Williamsz recorded the fastest leg of the day.
Fastest legs of the day
10:43 Jordan Williamsz
10:49 Box Hill
10:52 Jack Davies
10:54 Andrew Buchanan
10:55 Tom Fawthorpe
Marathoner Lisa Weightman turned out for Melbourne University, establishing an early lead that wouldn’t be challenged over the five leg women’s race.
Melbourne Uni’s 66:32 was the equivalent of 13:19 per leg and saw them finish 90 seconds ahead of second place. The race for second would decide the premiership, with Collingwood Harriers being passed by Glenhuntly, but then regaining the lead in the closing stages for an ultimate 12 second margin.
Fastest legs of the day
12:15 Lisa Weightman
12:20 Whitney Sharpe
12:29 Sarah Billings
12:42 Natalie Rule
12:54 Abbey Caldwell
The event was a significant logistical feat, with 994 athletes – from elite to club level – covering the busy public track and dodging other runners, walkers, strollers and pets.
Our full collection of 152 photos is available HERE.
