GOLDEN EFFORTS ON THE GOLDFIELDS OF BALLARAT
The Diamond Valley athletes who journeyed to Ballarat for Round 7 of the 2024 Winter season arrived ready to face the challenge of the longest race for the season so far.
Round 7 of the Athletics Victoria 2024 Winter season was a Road Race set around Lake Wendouree at Ballarat over distances of 6km and 15km. In perfect conditions the junior athletes ran one 6km lap of the Lake while Open & Masters athletes ran a 3km loop followed by two laps of the Lake.
Scott Barnes and Blake Barnes had the Valley tent set up in prime location ready to welcome the DVAC athletes as they arrived.
The Junior 6km and the Open & Masters Short Course (6km) athletes set off together in the first race.
In the FU16 6km race, Rose Jarvis came through the finish line in 21:51 to win the Silver medal for the age group. Rose was 5 seconds behind the winner and 10 seconds ahead of the third placed athlete. Rose is in second place on the 2024 Season ladder for the WU16. In the WU16 team result, Rose and Lucy Johns finished in third place earning sufficient points to retain the DVAC teams hold on top position of the 2024 season Ladder with three rounds remaining.
Other juniors to shine included Georgia L’Estrange (FU18) who took over a minute off her time for the 6km from 2023 when she crossed the finish in 23:47; and Jordan Rudd (MU20) who also lowered his 2023 time by over a minute, finishing in 22:46. Lucy Johns (FU16) lowered her time for a Lap of the Lake to 27:13.
DVAC Masters athletes mined a wealth of rewards for the Short Course (6km) events. The M60+ team – this week, Martin Murray (28:38), Lyal Douglas (29:23) and Rob Wendel (30:37) continued their winning streak and have a stranglehold on another season premiership.
The M40+ Short Course team of Brett Maloney 25:59; Martin Murray 28:38; Lyal Douglas 29:23 finished in second place while to same athletes also claimed a second place finish in the M50+ Short Course team. Both the M40+ SC team and the M50+ SC team are placed second on the 2024 season ladder.
Shania Murray led the results for the Valley Open athletes who tackled the 15km Road Race. Shania finished in 12th place from a field of 145. Set to represent Victoria at the Athletics Australia Half Marathon Championships on the Sunshine Coast on Sunday 11th August, Shania used the 15km Road Race as a part of her preparation for the coming Half Marathon. Combined with the efforts of Debbie McKenzie, 1:15:43, Alyssa Nicholas, 1:16:46, and Jo Moxon, 1:28:51, the DVAC team in Division 2 finished 9 out of the 11 teams.
The DVAC Open Men’s team for the 15km Road Race provided plenty of interest in watching strong group of talented athletes who train together and have little separating them on most occasions. Vincent Donnadieu led the Valley men’s team with an impressive 49:27. Like many on the day, Vincent later said that the last 6km was hard work but on examination he still maintained a steady pace.
Blake Barnes had his best result for the winter season and took 11minutes off his time for the same race in 2023 when he finished the 15km in 53:05. Blake is set to compete in the 2024 World Multi Sport age group World Championships in the Sprint Duathlon in Townsville on Saturday 14th August. Blake will be racing the Duathlon & the Aquathon.
The next five DVAC athletes crossed the finish line of the 15km Road Race within a minute of each other: Dylan Littlejohn, 54:07, Isaac Craig 54:09, Lachlan Deller 54:19, and James Telford, 54:28, completed the DVAC Men Division 2 team that were placed 9th out of the 14 teams.
Charles Jacobson, 55:05, led the DVAC Men Division 5 team that finished in 3rd place out of 13 teams. This team was completed by Jarryd Cripps, 58:23, Peter Ramsay, 1:04:55, and Scott Barnes, 1:05:12. Peter Ramsay finished in 11th position in the M60+ field of 29.
The spirit in the Valley tent was cheerful and supportive all day. Thanks to those who contributed food to share with others. Thanks again to the Barnes family for bring the Valley tent and to all who helped pack it up at the end of the day.
Next round, Ekiden Relays at Myrniong.
XCR24 TEAM RESULTS IN RD 7
WOMEN
OPEN DIVISION 2 (10km): (12, 115, 117, 140) - 9TH/11;
Shania Murray 55:47; Debbie McKenzie 1:15:43; Alyssa Nicholas 1:16:46; Jo Moxon 1:28:51;
W40+ (15km): (63) - (44,58) 20TH/27:
Debbie McKenzie 1:15:43; Jo Moxon 1:28:51;
W50+ (15km): (22, 32) - 11TH/18
Debbie McKenzie 1:15:43; Jo Moxon 1:28:51;
F60+ (15km): (6) - 4th/5
Jo Moxon 1:28:51;
FU20 (6km): (8) – 8th/14
Erin Maloney 24:24;
FU18 (6km): (11) – 7th/13
Georgia L'Estrange 23:47;
FU16 (6km): (2, 14) – 3rd/9
Rose Jarvis 21:51; Lucy Johns 27:13;
MEN:
OPEN DIVISION 2 (15km): (53, 124, 142, 143, 148, 152) - 9TH/14;
Vincent Donnadieu 49:27; Blake Barnes 53:05; Dylan Littlejohn 54:07; Isaac Craig 54:09; Lachlan Deller 54:19; James Telford 54:28;
OPEN DIVISION 5 (15km): (160, 220, 290, 295) – 3rd/13;
Charles Jacobson 55:05; Jarryd Cripps 58:23; Peter Ramsay 1:04:55; Scott Barnes 1:05:12;
M40+ (15km): (23, 28, 96) – 15th/46;
Dylan Littlejohn 54:07; Charles Jacobson 55:05; Peter Ramsay 1:04:55
M50+ (15km): (36, 39) - 17TH/39;
Peter Ramsay 1:04:55; Scott Barnes 1:05:12;
M60+ (15km): (11) - 10TH/18;
Peter Ramsay 1:04:55
M40+ (Short Course 6km): (4, 8, 10) – 2nd/11
Brett Maloney 25:59; Martin Murray 28:38; Lyal Douglas 29:23;
M40+ (Short Course 6km): (11, 15) – 4th/11
Rob Wendel 30:37; Greg Luck 32:50;
M50+ (Short Course 6km): (4, 8, 10) – 2nd/11
Brett Maloney 25:59; Martin Murray 28:38; Lyal Douglas 29:23;
M50+ (Short Course 6km): (11, 15) – 4th/11
Rob Wendel 30:37; Greg Luck 32:50;
M60+ (Short Course 6km): (4, 5, 6) - 1st/8
Martin Murray 28:38; Lyal Douglas 29:23; Rob Wendel 30:37;
M60+ (Short Course 6km): (9) – 8th/8
Greg Luck 32:50;
MU20 (6km): (13) – 11th/11
6km: Jordan Rudd 22:46;
