Taylor records a huge milestone with 1400 runs
Article by Matt Dean
Gary Taylor hit another milestone this week by notching up 1400 runs with the Orange Runners Club. Gary has more runs than any other member in the club and although he has lost a little speed, Gary remains one of the club’s most consistent runners. Gary started with the club in 1978 (the year the club was founded). During the early 1980’s he competed in and won a number of fun runs throughout the central west, most memorably the Wellington Fun Run where he not only won but broke the course record. Gary has also ran in half and full marathons. In 1982 Gary won the Mary Murrison half marathon trophy with a time of 78 minutes and 33 seconds. In 1988 he was a member of the winning Orange Team in the Bedwell relay (a relay race held between Oberon and Bathurst). Well done Gary, 1500 runs will be achieved in a minimum of 300 kilometres.
Speaking of club records Liz Simpson ran a new (female) course record at Kinross Forest last Sunday. Line honors also rewarded Liz with the handicap win on the day. Under the watchful eye of Mitch Williamson, and since reducing her race distances from half and full marathon’s to the more civilized 5 and 10k events, Liz has been going from strength to strength. Following victory in the 5km at the running festival Liz Simpson not only recorded a new track record in a time of 40:13 she was the first runner past the post for the 9km course. Iain McLean a new member to the club was the next best in a time of 40:40 but the day belonged to Liz. By the half way point Liz was in the lead leaving Iain, Anthony Daintith and Brett Rosser all the work to do on the undulating 4.5k return. Amber Rich was the next best placed female followed by Estelle and Sue Dean.
In the shorter 4.8km course Lily Craig finished ahead of Leanne Corcoran and Alison Spurway while for the males Brandon Connolly edged out Jack “The Voice” Daintith by 4 seconds ahead of Bailey Goransson. In the 2k Jessie Dean was the first runner home closely followed by Bradley Penrose then Wayne Bright and Hugh Daintith. Anna Daintith was the next female home with Lucy Dean not far behind.
More than 100 members new and old made their way around the 3 lap circuit at Elephant Park on Wednesday. Handicap winner was Annabelle Crisp in a time of 13:57. Estelle Dean was the first female to cross the line in a time of 11:30; however it was young Charlotte Simmons who scorched the track in a time 12:05 which was a 48 second PB. Liz Simpson coasted along for third 1 second behind. Charlotte’s father Brad was first male home in a time of 10:36 followed by Matt Dean and Mark Chapman some 30 seconds behind. John Connolly arrived with a goal of breaking the 12 minute barrier and did so by running a personal best of 11:49. This is the third consecutive week that John has ran a PB and puts it down a recent stretching regime he started after demonstration’s by staff of Phyz X Physiotherapy prior to the running festival. Other members to improve on their PB’s were Liam Wilson 1 minute, Thomas Pell 14 seconds, Noah Whiteley 3 seconds and Kim Roweth 1 second.
Don’t forget to spread the word about this month’s promo with Peter Smith Chemmart. For the month of March, the Orange Runners’ Club will be the recipient of 5% of the profits made from the sale of “Chemmart” branded products sold. Peter Smith Chemmart is located at 180 Summer Street Orange.
The Orange Runners’ Club Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held at the Anson Street School on Thursday 4th April, 2013 starting from 6pm. Each club member/family is asked to please bring a plate of food to share after the meeting. BYO drinks. Election of committee members will take place at the meeting, as well as the discussion of a number of significant items of importance to all ORC members. If you are interested in nominating for a committee position, or there are any items that you wish to have added to the agenda for the evening please call Frank Ostini (0417 436 633) or email ostiniwholesale@colourcity.com by Friday 29th March 2013.
Registrations for the Great Volcanic Mountain Challenge are slowly growing. Entries can be made as an individual, team or family. Visit www.greatvolcanic.org for more details and online registrations.
Tomorrow’s run will be out on Bargwanna Road at the new start time of 10.00am; runners/walkers will have the choice of a 3, 5 or 10k course. Wednesday’s handicap run start time has also changed from 5.00pm to 4.45pm and members are encouraged to arrive in time for a prompt start.
Happy Running