Marathon man right on track
Article by Daryl Roweth
On Sunday morning 100 strong members hit the testing path around the Botanic Gardens with around a quarter of the runners tackling the longest 5lap (8km) distance. Mitch Essex (35:04) showed his marathon training wasn’t slowing him down, with a 3 seconds faster time, than the consistent Mark Chapman. It was great to see Matt Dean back running with some confidence and despite missing the group start he finished with the 3rd fastest time. Of the ladies Jess Richards powered to first place with a strong 35:42 to finish ahead of fellow Barnyard triathletes, Estelle Dean and Alison Dermody.
In the 4 lap run Ati Sadr was the fastest runner securing both the ladies 1st place and the overall winner for the day, with a strong 29:24 for the 6.4km journey. Michelle Whiteley and Sharon Fahy were the minor placegetters. Of the guys, Bill Fairgrieve (36:18) was the quickest with Andrew McArdle and John (OHS) Moss close behind him.
The speed was on in the 4.8km run with Brad Simmons setting the pace with a quick 18:49 as he saw off the determined Iain McLean while Leon Lincoln ran into 3rd place. It was a tight affair with the girls leading home the field over the 3 laps, as Lily Craig (23:36) finishing seconds ahead of Jessie Dean and Alex McLean less than a minute behind her.
Jack Daintith (12:59) was the first finished in the 2 lap / 3.2km run, finishing in front of Brandon Connolly and Connor Whiteley. Abby Dean (17:58), Charlotte Simmons and Caitlin Prestwidge took the placings finishing in front of many more experienced runners.
Lachlan Simmons completed the Simmons family’s great results on the day with 1st place in the boys 1.6km run in 8:58. Taking the minor placings were Harry Dean, Busta Connolly and John Hannan. Not to be outdone by the Simmons family, Molly Dean rounded out all 6 members of the Dean family finishing in the placings, when she was first person home over 1 lap in 8:38 as she finished ahead of Tanya Connolly and Glenys Rosser.
A very cold Wednesday night at Elephant Park saw numbers down a little with around 60 runners braving the conditions to get their run in. Brad Simmons put down the fastest time of the night with a 10:59 closely followed by Kelsey Gray (11:05), while Fred Bangert ran a solid 12:39 to be the overall winner.
Wednesday’s Personal Best List: Harry Dean 23s and Renai McArdle 12s
John West had another strong performance at the Athletics NSW Walks Championship at Narellan Lakeside finishing second in a time of 36m40s.
Good luck to those runners heading to the Gold Coast next weekend. It should be slightly warmer than what we are experiencing at the moment..
Winter ORC hoodies are available for the special price of $30.00 each and come in the colours of black, navy, grey marle and gun metal. The hoodies are unisex and come in sizes XXS – XXL. If you wish to have one please put your name on an envelope and enclose the $30.00 and give to Jane on Sunday as the offer closes on 30 June 2014. The club will pay all postage charges. This weekends run is at Lake Canobolas on Sunday 9am.
WARMING UP: Some of the brave people who headed to Elephant Park for the Orange Runners’ Club Wednesday run in bleak conditions.