Glenhuntly Athletic Club distance runner, Kaleb Laker, made his third and most successful appearance at the Willinda Classic event when he powered home to victory in the 2024 Willinda Classic 10,000m Open race. At his previous two appearances at the Willinda Classic, Laker has clocked impressive runs over the 3000m distance and in the 2023 edition he finished 3rd in the 10,000m race in 32:28.2. This time there was no denying Laker the victory as he crossed the finish line in 31:27.7, ahead of Box Hill junior, Campbell Brooks, 32:26.1, and Diamond Valley’s Aaron McKenzie, 32:46.3.
Laker used the race in his preparation for the Melbourne Marathon next month. His longer ambition was apparent as he built the 10,000m out to 28km for the evening by running many laps before and after the race with a number of the other athletes.
Rachel Patterson, Ivanhoe Athletics Club, won the Female Willinda Classic 10,000m title, clocking 46:08.0. Sisters, Allanah Barnes, 46:48.1, and Lily Barnes, 48:20.6, finished in second and third places in the Open Female 10,000m race.
Gerry Oldfield was a convincing winner in the B Race, maintaining a strong and steady pace throughout before finishing in 39:08.6. David Featherston, 41:27.3, followed him in, with Richard Gray, 41:43.1, coming third.
Patrick Matthews (Keilor St Bernards), 9:00.5, clocked the fastest 3000m on the night with Jae Hao, 9:29.9, and Diamond Valley’s Michael Martello, 9:42.9, recording the next two fastest times in the Men Open 3000m race.
Niamh Partridge (Bellarine Athletics) was a clear winner in the Female Open 3000m race. Still in her first year of running after changing from Beach Surf racing, junior Niamh Partridge ran strongly throughout to clock 10:34.3. Katrina Castles, 11:20.4, and Adina Morrow, 12:19.3, were second and third over the line.
The winners of the Male & Female Junior U16 3000m races clocked personal best times with Glen Imbriano, 10:10.9 and Matilda Johnson, 10:19.6, both setting up for a good summer of Track racing. Rose Jarvis, 10:45.0, and Bella Davey (DAC) 11:27.9 took out second and third placings in the girls race. Hunter Harvey, 10:44.6, and Jordan Rudd, 11:02.2 were second and third in the boys race.
The 1000m Mixed Open race saw father & son, Damein Bruneau, 3:13.2, and Harris Bruneau, 3:14.8, cross in first and second place. Dillon Vidanapathirana, T20, made a great start to the track season, finishing in 3:28.7 to be third over the line.
The Diamond Valley Athletic Club with the support of Athletics Victoria are to be congratulated on the excellent presentation of the 2024 Willinda Classic. In all there were 51 athletes race on the night. Thanks go to the following:
AV Officials: Paul Schofield, Andrew Stirling, Kevin Wigmore, Brendan Ferrari, Rick Clarke, David Armstrong
DVAC Club Helpers: Sarah Gittins, Tanya Oldfield, Alexia Moxon, Tony Kenshole, Max Balchin, Lyn Davis, Aaron Bourne, Michelle King, Keith King, Caden Murray, Greg Luck, Grant Morgan, Rosie Morgan, Patrick Morgan, Jeff Young, Lachlan Deller, Jarryd Cripps, Alyssa Nicholas, Suzanne Hall, Belinda Johnson, Andrew L’Estrange, Matt Hall, Karen Quinn, Samantha Quinn-Kent, Lyal Douglas
2024 Willinda Classic
Thursday 26 September 2024
Willinda Park, Greensborough
Results:
10000m: Mixed Open A Race:
Result:
1 Kaleb Laker (GHY) 31:27.7h
2 Campbell Brooks (BOH) 32:26.1h
3 Aaron McKenzie (DIV) 32:46.3h
4 Damien Bruneau (ESS) 34:11.0h
5 Dylan Littlejohn (DIV) 36:02.5h
6 Gerard Lynch (UNA) 37:35.4h
7 James Rickard (UNA) 38:03.4h
8 Dean Placek (UNA) 38:40.2h
10000m: Mixed Open B Race:
Result:
1 Gerry Oldfield (UNA) 39:08.6h
2 David Featherston (UNA) 41:27.3h
3 Richard Gray (UNA) 41:43.1h
4 Scott Barnes (DIV) 41:46.8h
5 Eli Adelist (UNA) 42:06.0h
6 Damien Gawler (UNA) 43:30.1h
7 Noah Raz (DIV) 43:36.7h
8 Rachel Paterson (IVA) 46:08.0h (1st Fem)
9 Allanah Barnes (DIV) 46:48.1h (2nd Fem)
10 Frank Palermo (UNA) 46:51.0h
11 Andrew McKenzie (DIV) 46:59.5h
12 Lily Barnes (UNA) 48:20.6h (3rd Fem)
13 Simon Rigoni (IVA) 48:31.8
14 Kate Carey (UNA) 49:49.7h
15 Robert Sutton (UNA) 56:47.6h
3000m: Mixed Open
Result:
1 Patrick Matthews (KSB) 9:00.5h
2 Jae Hao (UNA) 9:29.9h
3 Michael Martello (DIV) 9:42.9h
4 Joel Imbriano (DIV) 9:59.9h
5 Jimmy Goulis (MUU) 10:01.8h
6 Jarryd Cripps (DIV) 10:25.3h
7 Josh Richardson (UNA) 10:31.1h
3000m: Female Open:
Result:
1 Niamh Partridge (BEL) 10:34.3h
2 Katrina Castles (UNA) 11:20.4h
3 Adina Morrow (DIV) 12:19.3h
4 Alyssa Nicholas (DIV) 12:52.5h
5 Jo Moxon (DIV) 15:01.3h
6 Michelle King (DIV) 15:17.5h
7 Sarah Papadopoulos (DIV) 16:10.8h
3000m: Mixed U16
Result:
1 Glenn Imbriano (DIV) 10:10.9h
2 Matilda Johnson (DIV) 10:19.6h (1st Fem)
3 Hunter Harvey (DIV) 10:44.6h
4 Rose Jarvis (DIV) 10:45.0h (2nd Fem)
5 Jordan Rudd (DIV) 11:02.2h
6 Oskar Jacobson (UNA) 11:18.1h
7 Bella Davey (DAC) 11:27.9h (3rd Fem)
8 Isabella Napoletano (UNA) 12:03.1h
9 Brax Harvey (UNA) 13:37.1h
- Georgia L’Estrange (DIV) DNF
1000m: Mixed Open
Result:
1 Damien Bruneau (ESS) 3:13.2h
2 Harris Bruneau (UNA) 3:14.8h
3 Dillon Vidanapathirana (DIV) 3:28.7h
4 James Brennan (ESS) 3:58.2h
