Somme Cash for Haigh In 10 Mile Front

By Brian Marantelli 5 August 2013

David Haigh, enjoying another consistent season of cross country competition, captured his first win for 2013 with a narrow win in the time honoured 10 mile event at Lysterfield Park on Sunday. The event named after the legendary George Perdon has been on the VCCL calendar for many decades and honours the performances of one of Australia’s greatest ultra distance runners. Haigh managed to cross the line in the sealed handicap with the second fastest time overall and after handicap adjustments had five seconds to spare over Colm Rothery with a further five seconds to Irene James. David’s best performance for the season before Sunday was his fourth in the Eric Greaves Memorial two weeks ago. Over the years he has tasted considerable success both with the VCCL and also on the track with the Victorian Athletic League

Colm Rothery, comparatively new to the club, is running extremely well and very close to a win. Irene James has shown steady improvement over the season as a result of training for her first half marathon in October. Mark Andrews continued with his good form with another close up finish, just behind Gerry O’Donnell. Marcus Boxall, last year’s Norm Charles Classic winner, collected his first prize money for the year with a finish in the top ten. The fastest time went to Shane Thiele (59:43), fastest female to Brigitte Seeley (75:45) and the novice award won by Anthony Whitby.

May thanks must also go to Keith Lofthouse, a current member and previously a long time secretary of the Victorian Cross Country League. Keith, now resident in Stawell, provided additional prize money for the event enabling the club to pay down to fifteenth place.

The last five event have now been decided by the total margin of 29 seconds, making sure that every event goes down to the final few steps.

Next Sunday the VCCL conducts the 8km Parks Victoria Sealed Handicap at Jells Park with a 10am start. We also welcome Caulfield Grammar to the event. The school will be using the day as a fundraiser for charity.

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