Wrong Way Seeley Crosses Winning Brig

By Brian Marantelli 2 June 2014

A big field of seventy runners braved the tough conditions at Woodlands Park for the 19^th Caruana 8km Classic on Sunday. As has become the tradition the VCCL were joined by the Bendigo Athletic Club in the battle for the $1,000 first prize. However it was the VCCL’s Brigitte Seeley recovering from the disappointment of the week before to score a comprehensive victory, her first with the club. Brigitte worked hard for the first part of the race and was in a winning position at the half way point. Although tiring over the concluding stages she was able to finish with a clear margin of twenty four seconds over her competitors. Brigitte looked certain to win the week before at Warringal Park before taking a wrong turn in the last kilometre and losing her opportunity.

Anthony Whitby having his first hit out with the club this season ran on solidly for second with Ingrid Douglass, the first Bendigo runner home, in third place. The consistent Mark Andrews ran another solid race to finish fourth with Duncan Whitford just managing fifth from Kylie Harding. Julian Harris, in seventh place, was the big improver with the thirteen year old handling the mud like a veteran to hold off David Stones and Adam Parker, with only inches to spare. Lionel “Chook” Stewart closed out the top ten and also won the over sixties award. The fastest times went to David Spence (26:20), Cody Williamson (26:29) and Shane Grund (27:13). The fastest female was Corina Kapusta (31:16) and the novice award went to Shane Grund.

The Victorian Cross Country League is privileged to have many great and loyal sponsors and Machelle and Joe Caruana are certainly amongst the best of them. Not only do they donate a very generous prize pool but also work tirelessly for our social club.

This week is the 5km Family Feud Sealed Handicap at Birdsland, which also incorporates the Family Feud Shield. Runners are reminded that family members don’t have to be registered members to compete in the family feud section of the event.

Birdsland will also be the location for an important part of VCCL history. We will be present to witness Roy McKenzie’s 800^th run with the club, a tremendous feat in any sport. To reach such a milestone in a club that only averages just over twenty races a season it is a unique effort. The social club is providing a free lunch for the occasion, so please stay behind to help Roy celebrate his achievement.

The club relay is approaching fast, so please runners get a team together or let Mark O’Brien know of your availability. Mark will slot everyone that wishes to run into a team and make them highly competitive with his imaginative accounting procedures.

Related

Race 4 Photos courtesy of Leanne Baxter.

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