ATHLETICS
TRARALGON HARRIERS
By BARRY HIGGINS
WITH their usual speediness, the Harriers’ ‘Scary Thursday’ run up Kay Street in Traralgon was a day ahead of the Halloween ‘Freaky Friday’ the next day.
The passers-by along the picturesque Kay St median park were slightly nonplussed, or worse, when confronted by frightening figures with ghoulish faces running towards them.
Despite the frivolity among the macabre costumed creatures, times were still fast, considering the long uphill stretch from Breed St back up to Elizabeth St.
The reward was a Halloween treat, dispensed by the Wicked Witch, aka Harriers vice president Desley Gray.
The usual group dominated the fast times, with many juniors running well and showing promise. A number of first timers were also welcomed at the post-race gathering and lucky draw.
Talented young Harrier Dempsey Podmore ran an outstanding race in the recent Maffra Mile event, conducted by the Maffra Community Sports Club.
Dempsey kept up with his older opponents, including 19-year-old twin brothers Charles and James Leahy from Geelong. He finally dropped off near the finish, placing third, only five seconds behind the winner, Charles, and three seconds adrift of James, in the excellent time of four minutes 53 seconds.
Congratulations also go to a father and daughter double at the previous week’s Geoff Watt Memorial Fun Run. Yani Cornthwaite was the women’s half marathon winner and Ian, a previous outright winner, was first in his 60+ age group.
A number of Harriers and friends were to take part in the Four Peaks Bright Alpine Climb over the Melbourne Cup long weekend. Across the four days, participants run or walk to the summits of Mt Buffalo, Mt Feathertop, Mt Hotham and Mystic Hill. The now iconic event has had many distinguished athletes take part, as well as those who enjoy the countryside. The Harriers have a long connection with the event and strongly support it, almost 50 years since its inception.
The Harriers Memorial Run is this Sunday (November 9) at the Toongabbie Golf Club.
Supporting Lifeline Gippsland, the event raises money and awareness for depression and suicide prevention. Registrations can be made online at: forms.office.com/r/RQpGj4eH7W
Entry cost is a $20 minimum donation on the day.
The 6km and 12km Carol and Barry Summersgill Cross Country Championships are on Thursday, November 13 at the Edward Hunter Reserve, Moe.
The King and Queen of the Mountain, running to the summit of Mount Tassie, is on Sunday, December 7. The new start location is from the Jeeralang North Hall. See the Harriers’ Facebook page for details.
Tomorrow’s event (Thursday, November 6) is a 6km run/walk from the Railway Reservoir Reserve in Hickox St, Traralgon.
Selected results Geoff Watt Memorial Fun Run – Half Marathon: Daniel Pratt 1:24:47 (first), Ian Cornthwaite 1:31:27 (fifth), Yani Cornthwaite 1:40:11 (first female), Liam Durkin 1:47:3, Geoffrey Francis 1:54:19. 10km: Luke Ardill 40:16 (first ), Alexis Walsh 43:28 (first female). 5km: Sidney Box 18:40 (first), Kristie Mellon 25:13 (first female), Mattias Preston 25:07, Heather Farley 28:29.Halloween Trip and Treat ghost run: Sav Mavrofridis 20:16, Ian Cornthwaite 21:23, David Barr 22:07, Andrew Greenhill 22:23, Dave Mann 22:35, Adrian Sutcliffe 22:53, Clinton Jolly 24:03, Ryan McLeod 24:04, Jack Warr 24:06, Chris Van Unen 24:09, Jason Odlum 24:20, Peter Sanders 24:51, Geoffrey Francis 25:00, Trent Kooyman 25:40, Darrel Cross 26:45, John Skordakis 27:02, Karen Graham 27:20, Nicholas Talerico 27:20, Stephen McLeod 27:24, Paul Ellis 27:54, Gary Fox 28:00, Rebecca Anderson 28:37, Ben Wilkinson 28:38, Liz Kenney 28:56, Ree Graham 29:50, Mark Lansdown 29:56, Becky Grimwade 31:04, Toby Grzmil 31:07, Kay Pickard 31:14, Phillip Mayer 31:40, Kim Essex 31:53, Claire Macumber 31:55, Chesney Podmore 32:47, Kaye Livingstone 33:22, Leopold Notting 33:25, Fiona Syme 33:26, Owen Notting 33:35, Paul Smith 34:36, Molly Irvine 34:45, Tania Whitehead 35:22, Max Wilson 36:09, Ron Verschuur 36:09, Mandy Ellis 36:49, Emma Marino 39:17, Danelle Wright 39:34, Darren Fielden 42:00, Jay McGown 44:51, Samantha McGown 45:03, Ann Bomers 46:56, Stephen Renehan 48:48, Belinda Heafield 57:13, Michelle Colwell 57:54, Kathy Quinn 57:54, Peter Grixti 58:59, Robert Embleton 58:59, Nick Hodson 1:00:00, Kylee Earl 1:00:00, Ian Heafield 1:00:03, Kat Kent 1:07:00, Angelo Gaudiano 1:07:00, Luke Marino NTR, Duke May NTR, Rose Anderson NTR, Linda Buhagiar NTR, Seth Bomers NTR, Barry Higgins NTR, Marieka Reilly NTR, Helen Whitby NTR, Desley Gray NTR, Stacey Podmore NTR, Aaron More NTR.
