By Jamie Strudley
Yarra Ranges Athletics teams were in action again, this time in Myrniong for round eight of the XCR season. The Ekiden relay format, where athletes run different distances to make up the total team distance, is always a challenging but exciting event. This year Yarra Ranges had six teams competing across various grades, finishing with two first, three seconds and one third in the statewide competition.
The women’s division two team were convincing winners despite missing two of the strongest performers so far this year. Grace Muller, Briar Keyser, Maddie Laven and Zoe Clarke combined to achieve YRA’s first women’s team win of the season.
The men’s division two team were also missing two of their strongest runners, however, the depth of the club was on show with Max Savil-Bentley, James Laven, Reuben Johnson, Angus Norman, Luke Hunter and Mitch Pointon combining to finish in an unexpected third place.
YRA’s Under 14 girls’ team of Lily Clarke, Bree Coffey and Adele Ellis were strong, finishing in third place. Elsewhere the lower division teams benefited from the club depth with the men’s division six team and women’s division four team both finishing second, while the men’s division seven team took line honours in their grade.
Final results were:
Women Division 2 26.9km Ekiden: 1st Grace Muller: 37:32 (8.6km), Briar Keyser: 26:46 (6.6km), Madeline Laven: 24:55 (6.1km), Zoe Clarke: 23:07 (5.6km) 1:52:20;
Women Division 4 20.8km Ekiden: 2nd Bonnie Morris: 42:36 (8.6km), Georgia Laven: 30:44 (6.6km), Rori Jones: 25:48 (5.6km) 1:39:08;
Women 14 15.9km Ekiden: 2nd Lily Clarke: 29:10 (6.1km), Brienna Coffey: 28:46 (5.6km), Adele Ellis: 19:08 (4.2km) 1:17:04;
Men Division 2 40.9km Ekiden: 3rd Max Savill-Bentley: 27:59 (8.6km), James Laven: 25:28 (7.9km), Reuben Johnson: 22:31 (6.6km), Angus Norman: 21:36 (6.1km), Luke Hunter: 22:37 (6.1km), Mitchell Pointon: 21:13 (5.6km) 2:21:24;
Men Division 6 26.9km Ekiden: 2nd Jared Byrne: 32:37 (8.6km), Chris Grundy: 26:58 (6.6km), Liam Russell: 24:03 (6.1km), Blake Saloyedoff: 24:44 (5.6km) 1:48:22;
Men Division 7 25.5km Ekiden: 1st Michael Clarke: 38:13 (8.6km), Jamie Strudley: 32:53 (6.6km), Elisabeth Coffey: 32:43 (6.1km), Craig Hewitson: 21:40 (4.2km) 2:05:29;
With two rounds to go in the season YRA’s teams are still competing for promotion. Current team standings after eight rounds are:
Men division two second, men division six first, women division two first, women division four fifth, women U20 second, women U14 fourth.
Saturday morning cross country was held at a boggy Margaret Lewis Reserve in Coldstream. This did not deter the amazing group of runners from enjoying the challenging course and chasing the elusive, but rewarding, PB and Choccie Frog! Next week YRA heads to Cockatoo for the annual Cockatoo Hills Challenge. Watch the socials for more details.
Training for all club members is at Morrison Reserve on Tuesday evenings from 5.30pm and Thursdays from 5.30pm at the Victoria Road Primary School gym. Yarra Ranges Athletics welcomes and encourages all athletes of any age or ability. New members and anyone interested in trialling are always welcome
Go to www.lavic.com.au or www.athsvic.org.au or email info@yarrarangesathletics.org.au for information about events and registration.
For information on training, how to join or trial, photos, results and updated news, visit the website at yarrarangesathletics.org.au or check us out on Facebook. Run, Jump, Throw…too easy!
