A final countdown to festival
Article by Kinisha Roweth
Only a week to go until the Orange Colour City Running Festival and the committee is asking for all runners club members to put up their hand and help out on one of the many jobs to be done and there is always the group therapy sessions before the big event, so it won’t affect those running. Therapy sessions –
#1 Samples Bags at the Leisure Centre Bloomfield 1.00pm to 5.00pm tomorrow Sunday 16th February.
#2 Race Bibs and T-shirts from 7.30pm at the Leisure Centre Bloomfield Thursday 20th Feb.
If you have not got your name on the volunteer list, just turn up anyway for 1/2 hour or 4 hours if you are able to help out.
Next weekend it will all happen so please ensure that you have given your donation of prize/s to Lynda Chapman by the end of the week so that she can sort them out.
Now is the time to act. We need all locals to get register in an event and beat the out of towners. We still are sitting at 60+% of out of Orange entrants and just over 30% of locals that have registered. We challenge everyone that has participated before to encourage 5 friends to have a go, it is lots of fun. Get your team organised and there are extra prizes. The biggest being first prize purse of $1500 for the first male and female home in the 10km. All the details are available on our website www.orangecolourcityrunningfestival.com.au. But I am sure there is an event for you. John Parson’s Hotel Brokers Marathon, The Athlete’s Foot Half Marathon, The Bupa 10km, Hotel Canobolas 5km, Pete’s Car Wash 2km Junior Dash, Waratah Early Learning Centre School Challenge. Southern Cross Austerio Sports Challenge and the John Davis Motors Business Challenge. Chances also to win two bikes from Ron Boulton Cycles and look for the goodies from McDonalds, Office Works, Out run the sun, Phyzx, Running on Happiness, Westlink Print, Gu and lots more
Last Sunday saw Orange Runners Club members compete in a 3 lap relay event at Elephant Park where teams of 2 got drawn from the hat and the took turns in doing a 1k lap each until 3 laps each had been completed.
From the hat draw father and son, Anthony & Jack Daintith were teamed up together and scorched around the course in 22.24 to be the quickest, just ahead of John Bowmer and Amber Rich with the team lead by Lily Craig and supported by Mark Chapman finishing third.
After the dust settled and the handicaps considered, Pam Fullgrabe & Carol Donlan were declared the winners ahead of the team with John Hannan and Noah Lamrock and the fast finishing Helen Roberts, Ati Sadr team. The draw prizes were picked up by Helen Roberts, Corey McArdle and Mike Cooper.
On Wednesday night at Elephant Park Brandon Connolly was the fastest doing a strong 9.45 for the 3 laps but he may have to look over his shoulder soon as Tristan Degan did a 5s personal best as he finished second fastest in 11.13. Also doing PB’s on the night were the very consistent Ursula Wilson 3s and last weeks winner, Chris Lane 10s. The lady with over 1000 club runs, Kim Jarvis, was the overall winner with another consistent 14.23 for the 3 laps.
This Sunday runners will be at the Botanic Gardens at 9am to celebrate the Banjo Paterson Festival and all are welcome to enjoy the run – members and non-members.
BIG FINISH: Chao Wei Kan (pictured with 42 marker) was the last runner to finish the marathon at the 2013 Orange Colour City Running Festival. He still had a crowd that ran the last part of the journey with him to celebrate his achievement.