News Articles

Sandown Road Relays, 9 July 2016

July 9, 2016

By Ian Sloane

Sandown is one of the key events on the Athletics Victoria winter calendar. This is always a difficult race to win as you have to have six strong runners on the line and hope that no-one has a bad day. We have had some success here in the recent past with very good to outstanding teams from 2007 onwards. In the old days we would feel as if we had done extremely well to win a silver or a bronze medal, against Glenhuntly, Ballarat (or Ballarat YCW), Doncaster, Knox and Geelong, who all did well at various stages.

The conditions at this venue are normally not competitor friendly, but this year they were extraordinarily benign, being temperate without the usual piercing wind and driving rain. Box Hill has several runners recovering from injury, recovering from long races or who’ve had a run of illness who were not available. Nevertheless, we have won every Division 1 race this year, so we were hoping that our team would rise to the occasion, and they did exactly that, with a brilliant finish propelling us to the gold medal position.

It was a remarkable race. There were five teams looking good on paper: Melbourne University, which has been a real surprise packet this year, SSH, ditto, plus Knox and Geelong. APS and Frankston are also capable of causing an upset, but they need everyone on deck because one weak leg can wreck a team’s chances. We felt that Melbourne University and SSH were the most dangerous of our opponents, and it turned out that was correct.

Nick Baggott was selected to run first for Box Hill. Nick has had some remarkably good performances this year and he produced yet another one on the day. He was in the leading bunch at the conclusion of the first lap, with the field headed by SSH, APS, Knox and Melbourne University. He was about two or three seconds behind the leader, and looked OK. He held it together in the second lap, recording the fine time of 19:11. This was a 44 second PB. Think about that for a moment – it’s a massive improvement. I looked at the 2014 results to see what he did then. He recorded 21:39 in 2014, so in the course of two years he has reduced his time for this two lap course by a gargantuan two minutes and 28 seconds. If anyone can point out a bigger improvement over a similar period, I would like to hear about it. So this excellent achievement laid the foundation for later runners, and Box Hill held seventh position 28 seconds down on Melbourne University with Nick Earl (M. Uni) completing the first leg in the lead. Earl was followed by Sean Guiney (APS) who recorded 18:49, Jordan Nelson (Knox) who ran 18:53 and SSH, with Ben Buckingham running 18:54. Nick was close behind Geelong (19:08) and Frankston (19:10).

Matt O’Donnell was promoted to run Premier Division because the selectors believed he would perform creditably and he did not disappoint them one bit. He ran a really excellent leg for an under 20 athlete, and can be certain that he earned the gold medal hanging around his neck at the presentation ceremony. He ran a faster second lap than his first one and recorded a big PB, with an elapsed time of 19:32. Not only that, but he passed his Geelong and Frankston opponents and moved the team into fifth place, a ripping performance. At the front of the field Martin Mashford (M. Uni) ran a very strong leg and got his team into a 41 second lead over Knox, through Craig Appleby, holding second. Also ahead of Box Hill at this stage were APS (Jack Holden) and SSH (Lachlan Aspinall). Box Hill was 21 seconds down on SSH at this stage.

Our third runner was James O’Connell and he responded to the challenge with another PB and the fastest time recorded by any of our Division 1 runners. James has improved dramatically this year to become a top 10 winter performer. Two years ago, when he was an under 20 runner, he recorded 20:00. So he has brought his time down by 52 seconds between then and now. That’s pretty impressive and he looks certain to be capable of doing even better in future outings. During this leg, Melbourne University, through Charlie Park, extended their lead over Knox (Ben Toomey) by 93 seconds. James passed his APS and SSH opponents and brought Box Hill into third place just 19 seconds behind second-placed Knox. At this stage the race was still wide open, and our remaining runners needed to perform at their best. We had an inkling that most other Premier Division clubs had deployed their leading runners in the earlier legs, and because we have very good depth, we started to believe we were in with a chance.

Peter Green was selected to run fourth leg and he moved into gear very quickly. His first lap was run in 9:24 and the photo below shows a decisive moment in the race where he caught and passed his Knox opponent. In his second lap he made a big gain on leaders, Melbourne University reducing the deficit from one minute 52 at the start of his leg to 41 second deficit. He also got away from the Knox and SSH runners. Geelong had dropped back to be further behind in fifth place. Peter’s time was also a PB, and I looked back at the 2014 results and discovered that he ran 19:55 in the relays that year. So Peter has also recorded a dramatically improved time at Sandown as he has got fitter. Four big PBs in the first four legs is indeed impressive. Incredibly, it got better still in the next leg.

Andre Waring is running in the best form of his life and recently cracked the 32 minute barrier over 10 kilometres on the road. He was chosen to run the fifth leg and he performed brilliantly. He turned the 41 second deficit into a two second lead at the changeover, having mowed down David Paroissien (Melbourne University) and stretched the lead over the other clubs. He also broke 19:30 which has to be a PB as well (19:29 was his time.). This was tremendously exciting for the many Box Hill supporters on the course, all of whom were very vocal in their encouragement of every one of our Premier Division runners.

Steve Dinneen was our last runner and was suffering the after-effects of a monster training session assisting Liam Adams (Essendon) prepare for his Olympic Games Marathon in a few weeks’ time. He showed grit and determination in an evenly run leg to pull away from Zac Newman (Melbourne University) to anchor our team to a highly valued victory. It was a performance that long-time members will remember for a long time and rate as one of the best competitive performances in a very even field, equal to the best of those where we have been very competitive and recorded faster times.

Meanwhile, behind us Knox surrendered their bronze medal position to SSH who finished third with Jamie Wagstaff running the smart time of 19:01. Geelong (with Harry Smithers) also got by Knox’s last runner to place fourth.

All our Division 1 team played their part in this win and deserved their gold medal, with such little difference in the times that each recorded for the time-tested two lap course.

Leading performers were Liam Adams, Essendon (17:59), Jack Davies, Ballarat (18:23) and Mitchel Brown, Essendon (18:29).

As winners of the Premier Division, we were awarded the Perry Cup, an added bonus. It was also marvellous to see all our team members stay on for the awards ceremony.

Our Division 2 Team performed well to place fourth in their race. Michael Vaughan ran a serviceable leg, opening our account with a time of 20:47. Klarie McIntyre extraordinarily evenly, running 10:05 for each lap and recorded 20:10 also a fine effort. Zac Hunter did really well, too. He broke 10 minutes for his first circuit and recorded the smart time of 20:15. Zac is improving with every race and it won’t be long before he is knocking on the door for Division 1 selection. Our other team members were Welday Mebrahtu (21:15), Ray Chan (22:16) and David Jimenez (22:23). They placed fourth in this Division, a commendable effort.

Our Men’s Division 4 team finished in third place. The team was made up Andrew Hester, Edward Doyle (who recorded 21:53), Graeme Olden, Robert Ashbridge and Benjamin Cox.

Our Division 7 team finished seventh. Team members were Stephen Ross, Sim St Hill, Jack Hill (who had the fastest time of 26:26) and Andrew Tunne.

Our 40+ team won the bronze medal. Chris Bradford ran the fastest time of 20:35 with solid performances from Tony Langelaan and Anthony Whitby.

The 50 + team won the gold medal. John Meagher ran the remarkable time of 20:14. Other team members Peter Stefanos and Garth Calder saw off teams from VCCL and Athletics Waverley.

Our junior team performances were excellent.

The under 20 team won the silver medal and held off SSH, third by a second, according to the results. Team members Alex Ritchie (20:26, Carlos Norman (22:06) and Sam Rattray (20:54) deserved their medal.

The under 18 team also won the silver medal and there were two extremely fast legs from our team members with Darcy Powne (9:46), Lucas Pamminger (10:04) and Scott McKenzie (9:23) finishing just five seconds down on the winners, Glenhuntly, with Western Athletics placing third.

Our under 14 team won the gold medal. Team members Connor Ogilvy (10:48), Murray Lovass (12:19) and Mac Anderson (10:47) excelled and won by a little under a minute, in a very pleasing result for them and our club.

The women’s Division 1 result was a sound one for Box Hill. Our women placed fifth with rivals, South Melbourne winning, Glenhuntly, second and Geelong, third. Our team comprised Georgie Meehan (22:29), Amy Carrig (24:41), Louise Ton (25:06), Amanda Harper (25:56) and Julie Norney (22:53). It was pleasing to see Amy Carrig back running after a long interruption with injury. Fastest times were recorded by Virginia Moloney, Collingwood (20:18), Sinead Diver, South Melbourne (20:20) and Gemma Maini, Frankston (20:59) were the fastest performers on the day.

Our women’s Division 3 team placed fifth as well. Jessie Muirden (26:57), Caitlin Harrison (28:59), Pia Hunter (25:30) and Rachel Hunter (26:05) made up the team.

Provisional results

Division 1

Placings

Box Hill 115:43
Melbourne University 116:10
SSH 117:50
Geelong 118:12
Knox 118:42

Box Hill Division 2 times

Division 2 Team Placings

Essendon 117:03
Western Aths 124:32
Ballarat 125:23
Box Hill 127:18

Women’s results

Box Hill Division 1 times

Georgie Meehan22:49

Amy Carrig24:41

Louise Ton25:06

Amanda Harper 25:56

Julie Norney 22:53

Division 1 Team Placings

1. South Melbourne109:53

2. Glenhuntly 111:12

3. Geelong 114:23

4. Knox115.15

5. Box Hill 121:31

Box Hill Division 3 times

Jessie Muirden 26:47

Caitlin Harrison 28:59

Pia Hunter 25:30

Rachel Johnson 26:05

Division 3 Team Placings

Yarra Ranges 101:03
SSH 101:30
Traralgon 102:02
Williamstown 105:12
Box Hill 107:21

2016 Winter Bulletin No. 14

July 5, 2016

SANDOWN ROAD RELAYS ON THIS SATURDAY!

Round 6 of the XCR’16 season will be the Sandown road relays, held at Sandown racecourse on this Saturday, July 9. This is one of the biggest events on the winter calendar, with the open men and women running 2 laps of the motor racing circuit (6.2km) and the juniors running one lap (3.1km). Draft teams are listed below, but they are subject to change as a number of people are still to confirm their availability.

If your name is listed but you are not available to run, please let us know as soon as possible. If your name is not listed but you wish to run, please let us know.

We also need volunteer helpers and timekeepers. Please let us know if you can help.

Men Premier Division

Nick Baggott
Matt O’Donnell
James O’Connell
Peter Green
Andre Waring
Steve Dinneen

Men Division 2

Welday Mebrahtu
Michael Vaughan
David Jiminez
Jackson Deane
Ray Chan
Zac Hunter

Men Division 4

Andrew Hester
Edward Doyle
Jack Prendergast
Carlos Norman
Chris O’Connor

Men Division 6

Rob Ashbridge
Graeme Olden
Conor Yung
Steven Ross

Men Division 7

Andrew Tunne

4.

Men Over 40

Chris Bradford
Anthony Whitby
Tony Langelaan

Men Over 50

John Meagher
Peter Stefanos
Garth Calder

Men Under 20

Alex Ritchie
Ben Cox?
Sam Rattray

Men Under 18

Darcy Powne?
Lucas Pamminger
Scott McKenzie

Men Under 14

Murray Lovass
Conor Ogilvie
Mac Anderson?/Thomas Diamond?

Women Premier Division

Georgie Meehan
Amy Carrig
Louise Ton
Julie Norney?
Amanda Harper

Women Division 2

Caitlin Harrison
Rachel Johnson
Amelia Savige?

Women Over 40

Pia Hunter
Carolyn Fox?
Kerry Putt

Women Under 16

ALBERT PARK ROAD RACE

Round 7 of the XCR’16 season will be held on the weekend after Sandown Relays, Sunday July 17. Note that this is a Sunday morning event, with the junior 3km race starting at 8:30am and the open 10km (including men U18 and men U20) commencing at 9:00am.

WE NEED YOU HELP THIS SATURDAY

This Saturday, Box Hill must supply 3 official “club helpers”. We also need as many timekeepers as possible (ideally each of our teams will have its own time keeper). If you can help at all, please let us know as soon as possible.

GOLD COAST MARATHON

Congratulations to the Box Hill athletes who performed well at the Gold Coast Marathon Running Festival.

Dion Finocchiaro faded a little in last 10k but still managed to run a PB of 2:27:30 to finish 23^rd in a strong international field.

Julie Norney ran a brilliant 78:41 for the half-marathon to finish 12^th (and first in her age group) and Andre Waring ran a PB of 31:53 in finishing 30^th in the 10km event.

XCR’16 CALENDAR

Round 6 – Sandown Road Relay Date: Saturday 9 July

6.2km legs for open ages, 3.1km for juniors

Round 7 – Albert Park Road Race Date: Sunday 17 July

10km open race, 3km junior race

Round 8 – Anglesea Surf Coast Ekiden Relay Date: Saturday 6 August

Various distances

Round 9 – Victorian Half Marathon Date: Sunday 4 September

21.1km along Burnley boulevard (including junior 6km race).

Round 10 – Tan Relays Date: Saturday 17 September

Each runner complete the 3.8km lap of the tan.

2016 Winter Bulletin No. 13

June 28, 2016

SANDOWN ROAD RELAYS ON SATURDAY WEEK

Round 6 of the XCR’16 season will be the Sandown road relays, held at Sandown racecourse on Saturday, July 9. This is one of the biggest events on the winter calendar, with the open men and women running 2 laps of the motor racing circuit (6.2km) and the juniors running one lap (3.1km). We are hoping to enter teams in all age groups, so please let us know as soon as possible if you are available for this event.

ALBERT PARK ROAD RACE

Round 7 of the XCR’16 season will be held on the weekend after Sandown Relays, Sunday July 17. Note that this is a Sunday morning event, with the junior 3km race starting at 8:30am and the open 10km (including men U18 and men U20) commencing at 9:00am.

THANK YOU

A special thank you to Dan Boulton, Francis Pamminger, Simon Evans, Grant O’Donnell and Conor Yung who volunteered as club helpers at Bundoora last week. Their efforts are very much appreciated.

Box Hill will again need to supply 3 club helpers for the Sandown Relays on Saturday week. We encourage all those who are likely to be attending (but not competing) to volunteer for at least one event each season. Please let us know if you can help.

VALE NORM OSBORNE

Legendary athletics coach, Norm Osborne (OAM) passed away Sunday, June 26. Norm was a life member of St. Stephens Harriers and of Athletics Australia. He coached many outstanding athletes, including Olympic silver medalist, Rick Mitchell, World indoor champion, Mike Hillardt and former Australian record holder Margaret Crowley. In his later years Norm spent a lot of time at Box Hill and coached a number of Box Hill athletes.

His funeral will be held at Tobin Brothers Threads of Life Chapel, 294 Burwood Hwy, East Burwood (between Blackburn and Springvale Rds) on FRIDAY (July 1) at 2.00 p.m.

XCR’16 CALENDAR

Round 6 – Sandown Road Relay Date: Saturday 9 July

6.2km legs for open ages, 3.1km for juniors

Round 7 – Albert Park Road Race Date: Sunday 17 July

10km open race, 3km junior race

Round 8 – Anglesea Surf Coast Ekiden Relay Date: Saturday 6 August

Various distances

Round 9 – Victorian Half Marathon Date: Sunday 4 September

21.1km along Burnley boulevard (including junior 6km race).

Round 10 – Tan Relays Date: Saturday 17 September

Each runner complete the 3.8km lap of the tan.

2016 Winter Bulletin No. 12

June 21, 2016

SANDOWN ROAD RELAYS ON JULY 9

Round 6 of the XCR’16 season will be the Sandown road relays, held at Sandown racecourse on Saturday, July 9. This is one of the biggest events on the winter calendar, with the open men and women running 2 laps of the motor racing circuit (6.2km) and the juniors running one lap (3.1km). We are hoping to enter teams in all age groups, so please let us know if you are going to be available for this event.

VICTORIAN ALL SCHOOLS CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

Gold to Molly, silver to Mac and bronze to Connor, Amy and Paris

The Victorian All Schools and Victorian open cross country championships were held at Bundoora Park on Saturday.

Congratulations to all our athletes who performed so well, especially our medalists,

Molly McCarthy (Gold U15 women),

Mac Anderson (Silver U14 men),

Connor Ogilvie (Bronze U14 men),

Amy Atkinson (Bronze U16 women),

Paris Powell (Bronze U20 women)

Other Results:

Ashlee Treagus (4^th U14 women)

Thomas Diamond (13^th U14 men)

Lachaln Doehman (21^st U14 men)

Murray Lovass (31^st U14 men)

Hayley McGoldrick (16^th U15 women)

Georgia Durham (18^th U15 women)

Tamsyn Lovass (10^th U16 women)

Spencer Anderson (31^st U15 men)

Kieren Hesse (13^th U16 men)

Jess Hepworth (8^th U17 women)

Louise Ton (9^th U18 women)

Genevieve Wah (11^th U18 women)

Hannah Wilson (17^th U18 women)

Eleanor Price (18^th U18 women)

Meredith Rul (30^th U18 women)

Darcy Powne (12^th U17 men)

Finnian Macken (16^th U17 men)

Jack Stummer (34^th U17 men)

Scott McKenzie (5^th U18 men)

Aidan McCormack (16^th U18 men)

Lucas Pamminger (17^th U18 men)

James Dakin (33^rd U18 men)

Hannah Rosenberg (34^th U20 women)

Alex Ritchie (15^th U20 men)

Sam Rattray (16^th U20 men)

Sebastian Failla (20^th U20 men)

Jordan Hesse (34^th U20 men)

Apologies to anyone we missed.

BUNDOORA CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

In the open races at Bundoora on Saturday, our men’s premier division team had another win, despite several of our runners being unavailable. Steve Dinneen and Nick Baggott put in tremendous performances and although James O’Connell, Peter Green and Dion Finocchiaro found the muddy conditions challenging, they still performed well and a strong run by Andre Waring as our sixth runner across the line insured we pulled off another team win.

See below for Ian Sloane’s full report.

Men Premier Division

6 Steve Dinneen 31:26

14 Nick Baggott 32:06

23 James O’Connell 32:38

29 Peter Green 32:49

31 Dion Finocchiaro 33:01

44 Andre Waring 33:41

Men Division 2

57 John Meagher 34:30

64 Zac Hunter 34:47

71 Chris Bradford 35:20

99 Welday Mebrahtu 36:20

118 Edward Doyle 38:01

132 Jackson Deane 38:35

Men Division 4

146 Garth Calder 39:01

165 Tony Langelaan 39:43

184 Luke Crozier 40:36

193 Robert Ashbridge 40:51

197 Peter Stefanos 41:08

Men Division 6

203 Chris O’Connor 41:18

233 Graeme Olden 42:30

266 Jack Hill 44:15

315 Stephen Ross 47:14

380 Andrew Tunne 58:54

Division 1 Results

1 Box Hill 145

2 Melbourne University 163

3 SSH 168

Men Under 20 (8kms)

Matthew O’Donnell 26:53
Ben Cox ????
Carlos Norman 30:35
Jack Prendergast 31:44
Conor Yung 33:52

Women’s Premier Division

51 June Petrie 42:29

72 Amanda Harper 44:32

78 Pia Hunter 44:44

106 Rachel Johnson 46:32

139 Kerry Putt 50:15

Women Division 3

142 Caitlin Harrison 50:42

152 Megan Sloane 53:21

Carolyn Fox missing from results

Women U20

Chloe Rosenberg

COME INSIDE WHERE IT IS WARM!

It can be tough training on these cold winter nights, but it can also be very cold waiting around for your son, daughter or significant other. Next week we plan to open the upstairs club room so that you can wait in the warmth. If you see the lights are on, please feel free to come upstairs where you can watch training in relative comfort.

REGISTRATIONS NOW DUE

Registrations for the new 2016/17 athletics year are now open.

Register online via the Athletics Victoria website.

XCR’16 CALENDAR

Round 6 – Sandown Road Relay Date: Saturday 9 July

6.2km legs for open ages, 3.1km for juniors

Round 7 – Albert Park Road Race Date: Sunday 17 July

10km open race, 3km junior race

Round 8 – Anglesea Surf Coast Ekiden Relay Date: Saturday 6 August

Various distances

Round 9 – Victorian Half Marathon Date: Sunday 4 September

21.1km along Burnley boulevard (including junior 6km race).

Round 10 – Tan Relays Date: Saturday 17 September

Each runner complete the 3.8km lap of the tan.

Bundoora Park 10 Kilometre Cross Country 18 June 2016

Box Hill AC is having an exceptional run in the Division 1 men’s competition this year recording four successive victories in the first four events of the year, despite the unavailability of a number of athletes in each event contested to date.

The Bundoora cross country race, the fifth race of the 2016 XCR season, is the premier cross country event on the calendar and is normally contested over the distance of 12 kilometres. This year, however, the winter XCR committee decided to run the event over 10 kilometres. This meant that the vast majority of competitors, irrespective of their fitness level or age, recorded a personal best. The writer cannot recall an AV sanctioned cross country race over this distance over the last 40 years or more. The reason is that the international Cross Country distance for men and women has been altered to 10 kilometres. The distances were previously 12 kilometres for men and eight kilometres for women.

The junior races were run before the senior women’s and men’s races. At the time of writing the junior races’ results were not available. Box Hill had some very good performances indeed, which promises much for the future.

The senior women’s race looked likely to see a contest between Tarli Bird (Glenhuntly), Virginia Moloney (Collingwood) who won the 15 k. road championship in Ballarat, and Gemma Maini. These three runners cleared out from the field over the three lap course (which consisted of a two kilometre loop, followed by two four kilometre laps). The course was soggy and muddy and had been churned up by the thousands of feet of age group athletes in the previous races. A little further back off the back of the leading pack were Amanda Prime (Knox), Sinead Diver (South Melbourne and Anna Kelly (South Melbourne). About three kilometres into the race our Box Hill leading performers were June Petrie, 57^th, Amanda Harper 87^th, Pia Hunter 88^th and Rachel Johnson, 101^st. Other Box Hill athletes contesting the race were Kerry Putt, Caitlin Harrison, Carolyn Fox and Megan Sloane.

The lead changed hands a number of times with Moloney and Bird surging to try and establish a winning lead. Gemma Maini dropped off the pace but was still running solidly in third place with a clear gap between her and Samantha Prime, fourth, closely attended by Sinead Diver, who was running with excellent cadence. Eventually Tarli Bird established a winning lead over Virginia Moloney and Gemma Maini finished third. Sinead Diver eclipsed Samantha Prime for fourth place and Anna Kelly crossed the line in sixth position, with long time top-ten athlete Tracey Austin (Malvern) running an excellent final lap to finish seventh. June Petrie finished well and placed51^st, Amanda Harper was 72^nd, Pia Hunter was 78^th and Rachel Johnson completed her race in 108^th place. Kerry Putt was 139^th, Caitlin Harrison finished 142^nd and Megan Sloane was 152^nd. Carolyn Fox also ran but she was not included in the provisional results, probably because of a timing chip malfunction.

The senior men’s race was the final race on the program and the same course was deployed as for the women’s race. Box Hill was extremely well-represented, although several of our top performers were not competing (Will Potter, Michael Dowel, Steve Kelly). It was really great to see Daniel Clark on the course giving our team members spirited encouragement. It was even better to hear that his recuperation was going well enough that he is aiming at competing later in the winter season.

When the starter sent the field on its way for the first two kilometre leg five Box Hill runners positioned themselves towards the front of the phalanx. . Unfortunately, the commencement of the men’s race coincided with the bulk of the women’s field completing their last lap. This swamped the women’s field and it would have been very intimidating to have 400 male competitors occupying the same space on the narrow course. I would hope that this does not occur again, because it was dangerous and not fair to the women still completing their race. Quite a large group separated from the body of the field, so after a little over a kilometre after the start, James O’Connell was ninth, Steve Dinneen was tenth, Peter Green was twelfth and Nick Baggott was fifteenth. Not too far behind Dion Finocchiaro was running well and not long after Dion passed the writer standing adjacent to the course, Andre Waring ran through. The leading group of male athletes included Andrew Buchanan (M Uni), Toby Rayner (GH), Jack Rayner (Wes), Nick Earl (M Uni), Jack Davies (Ball), Nick Wightman (Geel) and Martin Mashford (M Uni).

During the first of the two four kilometre laps five athletes had pushed the pace and moved away. Jack Rayner, Jack Davies, Andrew Buchanan, Nick Wightman and Toby Rayner. Steve Dinneen was 10^th, James O’Connell, 14^th, Nick Baggott, 18^th and Peter Green 24^th, with Dion not too far further back probably around 33^rd. Melbourne University had three in the top nine and SSH, although not in the top 10, had all their team in the top 40. It was going to be tight in the team’s race. Andre Waring was our sixth competitor and was holding a place somewhere in the first 45. John Meagher was a bit further back. Chris Bradford was running well, too, perhaps 75^th, with Welday Mebrahtu in 101^st position. Recently joined member, Edward Doyle was about 120^th. Then came Jackson Deane, Garth Calder, Tony Langelaan and Luke Crosier. Our other competitors out on the course were Robert Ashbridge, Peter Stefanos, Chris O’Connor, Graeme Olden, Jack Hill, Stephen Ross and Andrew Tunne.

About seven kilometres into the race, Davies and Buchanan broke clear of Jack Rayner and Nick Wightman. Toby Rayner had already been dropped. Steve Dinneen was placed 12^th, Nick Baggott was 18^th, James O’Connell was 20^th, Peter Green 23^rd, Dion Finocchiaro was 25^th, Andre Waring was 35^th and John Meagher held 54^th position.

In the concluding stages, Buchanan finally got the better of Davies and Wightman secured the bronze by striding ahead of Jack Rayner, fourth. Toby Rayner finished fifth. Steve Dinneen put in a stoic performance to pass both Earl and Mashford to claim 6^th place. This was a gritty and determined effort for the team, typical of Steve’s endeavour during the winter races. Nick Baggott ran a great race to finish 14^th. Apart from the previous road race, Nick’s form has been excellent and he has beating athletes he wouldn’t have beaten even last season. James O’Connell ran 23^rd, perhaps not where he wanted to be, but his other race performance have been tremendous this year. Peter Green was 29^th. Peter hasn’t had a clear run with health this year. When he is right, he will definitely improve on this result. Dion Finocchiaro, 31^st, put in another solid effort for the team and is a permanent fixture in our Division 1 team at the moment. Without Andre Waring’s gutsy effort, in placing 44^th, Box Hill would not have won (provisionally) the Premier division team’s race. Andre was crook in the fortnight leading up to the 10 k cross country so he displayed character in turning up and running at all. Others to make the top 100 were John Meagher 57^th, Zac Hunter, whose name was omitted from the provisional results, 64^th, Chris Bradford, 71^st and Welday Mebrahtu, 99^th.

Although there were a number of imperfections in the provisionally published finishing places, possibly due to malfunction timing chip recognition, we believe that we have won the Premier division team’s race from Melbourne University and SSH. If that is the case, we are doing the equal best ever that Box Hill AC has done in the XCR seasons. To win five races in a row is spectacular, and the huge team spirit we are observing is tremendous to behold.

Open Men’s results (AV results contained some inaccuracies at the time of writing)

1 Andrew Buchanan Melb Uni 30:34

2 Jack Davies Ballarat 30:45

3 Nick Wightman Geelong 30:57

6 Steve Dinneen Box Hill 31:26

14 Nick Baggott Box Hill 32:06

23 James O’Connell Box Hill 32:38

29 Peter Green Box Hill 32:49

31 Dion Finocchiaro Box Hill 33:01

44 Andre Waring Box Hill 33:41

57 John Meagher Box Hill 34:30

64 Zac Hunter Box Hill 34:47

71 Chris Bradford Box Hill 35:20

99 Welday Mebrahtu Box Hill 36:20

118 Edward Doyle Box Hill 38:01

132 Jackson Deane Box Hill 38:35

146 Garth Calder Box Hill 39:01

165 Tony Langelaan Box Hill 39:43

184 Luke Crozier Box Hill 40:36

193 Robert Ashbridge Box Hill 40:51

197 Peter Stefanos Box Hill 41:08

203 Chris O’Connor Box Hill 41:18

233 Graeme Olden Box Hill 42:30

266 Jack Hill Box Hill 44:15

315 Stephen Ross Box Hill 47:14

380 Andrew Tunne Box Hill 58:54

Estimated Division 1 Results

1 Box Hill 145

2 Melbourne University 163

3 SSH 168

Open Women’s results

Tarli Bird Glenhuntly 35:08
Virginia Moloney Collingwood 35:22
Gemma Maini Frankston 36:01

51 June Petrie Box Hill 42:29

72 Amanda Harper Box Hill 44:32

78 Pia Hunter Box Hill 44:44

106 Rachel Johnson Box Hill 46:32

139 Kerry Putt Box Hill 50:15

142 Caitlin Harrison Box Hill 50:42

152 Megan Sloane Box Hill 53:21

Carolyn Fox Box Hill missing from results but finished

Saturday 18 June 2016 – Bundoora Park Cross Country

June 18, 2016