VALLEY JUNIORS BLITZ ON THE BOULEVARDE
In near perfect conditions for the running of the Athletics Victoria Half Marathon and 5km Road Races on Sunday 3rd September, it was the hot form of the Diamond Valley Athletic Club juniors that provided many of the highlights. Of the 41 Valley athletes who competed in the penultimate event on the winter calendar, 20 were juniors who were set to run a 5km Road Race. There were three DVAC juniors who won individual medals and 4 DVAC junior teams that were placed in the top three for the Round. A win by the Valley’s Men 60+ Short Course team further added to the success of the day.
Matilda L’Estrange, WU18, had to produce her best form of the season to take out a win in the 5km after an exciting race. Matilda crossed in 17:35, three seconds ahead of the second placegetter and seven seconds ahead of the third placegetter. It was Matilda’s first sub 18 minute 5km Road Race. Matilda will finish a close runner-up on the AV’s Individual Championship ladder for the season.
The team of L’Estrange, Ally Brooks, 18:15, and Poppy Scot-Dalgleish, 18:58, won maximum points in the Teams competition. This will take the DVAC Under 18 team into the final event of the season, the Tan Relays, with a secure grip on the Winter Championship title. This will be the second year that this title has been won by a Valley team.
The depth of talent in the DVAC Women Under 18 team was further emphasised when Erin Maloney, 19:17, and Ella Littlehales, 21:28, took out third place in the teams competition.
Heidi Kuppler, WU14, has taken out the XCR Champion Athlete for the 2023 season, sealing the win with a dramatic second placing at Burnley. Heidi crossed the first of the two Timing mats and stopped running believing she had finished. After being prompted to cross the second mat, Heidi was given the time of 17:59 for the 5km and placed second. Grace Robinson, WU14, had her first run with the Valley and won the Bronze medal with a time of 19:37. The combined efforts of the two girls won the Teams points for the round.
The DVAC Women Under 16 team will go into the final round of the XCR season, the Tan Relays, with an unbeatable lead for the premiership. At Burnley, Rose Jarvis, 19:17, Georgia L’Estrange, 20:16, and Luella Wood, 21:29, finished in second place in the teams competition but the 9 points won will provide them with a lead of 23 points. Lucy Johns, 22:09, added depth to the talent in the age group.
The DVAC Men Under 16 team had their best result for the season, finishing second from 15 teams. Ethan Armstrong-Bourne, 16:42, shaved 8 seconds off his time from 2022, to cross in 6th place in a highly competitive field. Ethan was supported by Patrick Knight, 18:19, and Jack Daley, 19:45, and Glen Imbriano, 21:26.
Providing balance to the achievements of the Valley juniors, the DVAC Men 60+ (Short Course) team sealed their season premiership with a team victory at Burnley. Rob Wendel, 23:11, led the team home and will take out the second placing in the XCR Champion Athlete points for the season. Rob was supported by Lyal Douglas, 23:58, and Greg Luck, 26:07.
The Half Marathon set up some highlights for the Valley athletes. Caden Murray led the Division 2 team home with a run of 1:08:26 to record a two minute pb and a season high placing of 23rd. He was followed in by Chris Rancie,1:11:23, Dylan Littlejohn, 1:18:54, James Telford, 1:19:27, and Daniel Rees,1:21:23, to put the team into a 6th placing in the Division.
The Valley Women’s Division 2 team was led in by Shania Murray, 1:21:05, who crossed in 13thplace in the Women’s field. The team was rounded out by Sarah Leeming, 1:36:09, Adina Morrow, 1:39:02, and Taylor Radatti, 1:41:56. The team finished in 6th place out of the 12 teams.
THANKS GO TO …
Getting up super early on a Sunday morning to work as a Club Helper is not an easy gig to sell but DVAC is fortunate to have a band of generous spirits. Jeff Young, Kirby Telford and Blake Barnesfilled the DVAC Club Helper duties out on the course. Thank you!
David Armstrong had the Valley tent all set up before the athletes arrived, This was really appreciated.
Paul Schofield was recruited by AV to lead the fields of runners around the Boulevarde on his bike.
Lyn Davis for Timekeeping.
Thanks to all the athletes who contributed to the food put out on the table.
AV Half Marathon & 5km Road Race
XCR’23 Rd 9
Burnley
Sunday 3rd September 2023
DVAC Results:
Female Open
5km: Simone Kuppler 19:52 (3rd);
Field of 4: Invitation
21.1km: Shania Murray 1:21:05 (13th); Sarah Leeming 1:36:09 (75th); Adina Morrow 1:39:02 (82nd); Taylor Radatti 1:41:56 (92nd); Jo Moxon 2:06:27 (W50+ 9th/10);
Field of 148: Team Result: Women Division 2: 6th/12 (12, 63, 69): Women Division 4: 6th/8 (76, 121)
W40+: Team Result 22nd/23 (42nd)
W50+: Team Result: 14th/14 (24th)
Female 18
5km: Matilda L'Estrange 17:35 (1st); Ally Brooks 18:15 (4th); Poppy Scot-Dalgleish 18:58 (6th); Erin Maloney 19:17 (7th); Ella Littlehales 21:28 (14th);
Field of 22: Team Results: 1st/16 (1,4,6); 3rd/16 (7, 14)
Female 16
5km: Rose Jarvis 19:17 (5th); Georgia L'Estrange 20:16 (7th); Luella Wood 21:29 (9th); Lucy Johns 22:09 (13th);
Field of 14: Team Results: 2nd/10 (5,7,9); 9th/10 (13)
Female 14
5km: Heidi Kuppler 17:59 (2nd); Grace Robinson 19:37 (3rd);
Field of 6: Team Result: 1st/6 (2, 3)
Male Open
5km: Brett Maloney 21:04 (7th/10); Invitation event.
21.1km: Caden Murray 1:08:26 (Open 23rd); Chris Rancie 1:11:23 (Open 47th); Dylan Littlejohn 1:18:54 (Open 142nd); James Telford 1:19:27 (Open 156th); Daniel Rees 1:21:23 (M40+ 13th/34); Craig Cassidy 1:23:30 (M45+ 10th/31); Jarryd Cripps 1:24:07 (Open 175th); Aaron Scot-Dalgleish 1:27:39 (M50+ 17th/29); Scott Barnes 1:35:50 (M50+ 24th/29); Matthew Thompson 1:36:46 (MOpen 400th); Aaron Bourne 1:38:06 (M45+ 28th/31);
Field of 501: Team Results: Men Division 2 - 6th/14 (19, 41, 113, 123, 148); Men Division 5 – 3rd/13 (165, 175, 221, 277); Men Division 7 – 10th/16 (280, 289)
M40+: 14th/57 (28, 33, 64); 42nd/57 (103, 112)
M50+: 19th/ 35 - (26, 49)
Male 20
5km: Dillon Vidanapathirana 24:59 (10th);
Field of 10: Team Result: 7th/7 (10)
Male 18
5km: Joel Imbriano 17:15 (18th); Rhodri Whelan 17:39 (19th); Jordan Rudd 20:21 (23rd));
Field of 15: Team Results: 4th/14 (18, 19, 23)
Male 16
5km: Ethan Armstrong-Bourne 16:41(6th); Patrick Knight 18:19 (15th); Jack Daley 19:45 (20th); Glen Imbriano 21:26 (24th);
Field of 25: Team Results: 2nd/15 (6, 15, 20); 15th/15 (24)
Male 14
5km: Logan Armstrong-Bourne 20:01 (9th);
Field of 14: Team Result: 6th/ 9 (9th)
Men 60+ (Short Course)
5km: Rob Wendel 23:11 (3rd); Lyal Douglas 23:58 (4th); Greg Luck 26:07 (7th)
Field of 9: Team Result: 1st/5 (3, 4, 7)
