Everyone Loves To Have A Run With Duncan

By Brian Marantelli 9 July 2014

After six runs for the season and six top five placings, Duncan Whitford broke through for his second Victorian Cross Country League win on Sunday. And like his first win, back in 2007, this victory was at Lysterfield Park the scene of his win in the clubs top event the Norm Charles Classic. Duncan, enjoying his best season, ran solidly to the line to defeat the consistent Marcus Boxall by nine seconds with Michael Marantelli storming home from the back mark to grab third, just in front of Craig Harris. Duncan started the season with a close second at Strathmore and has been close up every run since. On Sunday he took the lead inside the final kilometre and although Boxall and Marantelli were closing late, the win was never in serious doubt.

Marcus, also a previous Norm Charles winner, has returned to his best form with his second placing, and a win is certain to follow in the coming weeks. Michael Marantelli, with his VCCL events depending on umpiring duties, ran the fastest time of 25:32 on the tough course. Craig Harris showed a welcome return to his best form with his first placing for the season with his fourth, inches to the good of Mark Andrews. Andrews, last week’s Greenvale winner, is certainly in career best form with another top class finish in fifth place. Julian Harris, the youngster of the field, shows continued improvement for his sixth place and Shane Grund finished seventh and gained the second fastest time with an excellent run of 27:59. Completing the top ten were Chris Brown, Hugo Sarpa and David Page. All three are on the improve after a couple of seasons of injury. Corina Kapusta was once again the fastest female (31:30) and Kylie Harding was first unplaced novice.

Whitford’s coach, Colin Davis was unable to make the trip to Lysterfield, being too distraught to travel after watching Clinton Young’s fumble in the goal square the night before.

The 8km event was sponsored by Austbrokers Phillips and the race numbers were enhanced by many of the company’s employees competing as fun runners.

This week the VCCL travels to Myrniong for a new event on the club’s calendar, the 6.5km Lake Dewar Lodge Handicap. The event starts at 11am and runners are reminded to take the Pykes Creek, Greendale, Trentham turn off.

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