Pageboy Leads The Way
By Brian Marantelli 20 April 2015
David Page, fresh from a Stawell victory, continued his great form with a clear win in the opening race of the Victorian Cross Country season at Brimbank Park on Sunday. The 6.5km Robert Charlton and Fred Grubb sealed handicap, named in honour of two of the VCCL’s past stalwarts was held in wintery conditions with a severe wind affecting runners throughout the river run. David, who was successful in the 1600m at Easter, held a ten second margin over the improving Julian Harris with a one second gap to Hugo Sarpa. Sunday’s win was the fourth cross country victory for Page with all previous wins being over the longer distances, including a win in the 10 mile George Perdon Memorial.
Matty Grant finished fourth and recorded his best 6.5km time with the VCCL, finishing well clear of the fifth placed Carl Kennedy. Master coach, Mark Hipworth was seventh, splitting two of his stable runners, Matthew Bateman and Grant Penney. Evergreen Jim McLure charged into the top ten with his ninth placing, his first for five years. Rounding out the top ten was Greg Foran who had a second to spare over Alan McCullen.
Fastest times went to Jacob Nolan with a time of 22:53 from Sean Quilty, 23:10. The fastest of the girls was Olivia Findlay with a time of 29:40. With the previous novice award being replaced alternately week to week with an award for “first, first year runner” this weeks first year runner went to Stephen Menzies with a time of 24:46.
The VCCL would like to extend a warm welcome to new members, Stephen Menzies, Morgan Hipworth, Matthew Barker, Brock Ellett, Kim McLean and Ariane Bradley who made their debut with the club on Sunday.
This Sunday is another sealed handicap with the Moran Running Stable sponsoring the 5km at Karkarook Park, Oakleigh, starting at 10am.
