Time is here
By Michiko Black
The time is here. It is now or never. After months of hard work and planning, the Orange Running Festival is on tomorrow. You can still enter today between 2pm and 4pm at the start / finish line in the grounds of Bloomfield Hospital near the Leisure Centre. You can also collect your race bibs from here between the same hours today so you can be ready to run on Sunday morning. Race bibs can also be collected from 6.30am tomorrow from the start / finish line. If you have a bit of spare time this afternoon from 1pm, any assistance out at the venue would be appreciated. This year, proceeds will go to the local Cerebral Palsy branch, and proceeds from the running of the canteen will support the junior music programs run by the Orange Brass Band. At the conclusion of the race, don’t forget to place your bib number in the barrel for the chance to win some fabulous prizes, including tickets for two for the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb with airfares from REX. Just remember you must be present at the barrel draw to claim your prize. Thanks must go to our hardworking team of committee members, especially Tricia Frost, for the countless hours of time and energy they have invested into coordinating this year’s event.
Sunday’s run at Bolgas Road was a good opportunity for runners to challenge themselves to the hills and country surfaces. With a choice of 3km, 5km and 10km, 64 runners took to the course and recorded good times. Handicap winner on the day was Jack Daintith who also won the men’s 5km. Great running for a 12 year old! I’m sure he will run a huge pb at the Running Festival. Kinisha Roweth was presented with her 100 Runs Certificate. Well done Kinisha. Your commitment and dedication are a great example. Sunday’s results were as follows: 3km male: 1st – Alistair Merrifield, 2nd – John Sutherland, 3rd – Alex Irwin. 3km Female: 1st – Alice Bowmer, 2nd – Lily Craig, 3rd – Julie Chapman. 5km Male: 1st – Jason Haswell, 2nd – Jack Daintith, 3rd – Anthony Daintith. 5km Female: 1st – Teagan Lundy-Stern, 2nd – Amber Rich, 3rd – Danielle Williams. 10km male: 1st – David Craig, 2nd – Richard Eggleston, 3rd – Wayne Stewart. 10km Female: 1st – Liz Simpson, 2nd – Penny Chandler, 3rd – Krissy Ward.
Wednesday’s run was once again more of a paddle and swim than a run! It seems that the heavens always open around 5pm of a Wednesday afternoon, and this week was no exception! With the rain beginning just before 5, the run commenced from the ameneties block so those timing and handing out numbers could find some shelter. Despite the rain, 56 runners took to the course, with Tristan Harrison recording the fastest time of the day. Handicap winner was Janita Williams.
With Orange and indeed much of the state receiving massive downpours of rain all week, all our fingers and toes are crossed for some decent weather tomorrow. However, rain, hail or shine, tomorrow’s Running Festival will go ahead. So take it easy today, eat well and have an early night tonight. Just a reminder that the Half Marathon commences at 7.30, the 10km at 7.45 and the 4.8km fun run begins at 8am. If you have any questions about the Running Festival, visit our website at www.orangerunners.com.au or come out to the course today between 2pm and 4pm. If you haven’t entered, you can still enter today. Don’t miss out on Orange’s running event of the year!