The seventh and final instalment of the Vic State series was run in the Kimbolton forest near Eppalock on Sunday. Numbers were slightly down on previous events with 135 competitors, however the opportunity for some fast running in the open forest meant that competition between some at the top of their list was fierce. Courses were all in the long format with the harder courses including some long legs criss-crossing very subtle terrain requiring careful navigation while maintaining speed. Reports of loose rock and fallen timber underfoot, yet hidden in the grassy undergrowth meant that runners also had to take care with foot placement or risk a twisted ankle or fall. Ted vG was course setter with the event ably run by the Yarra Valley club. Jim provided the digital display for the all-important post-run analysis of times.
Kerrin Rattray (MFR) led C1 from the 5th control with a clear win of more than 11 minutes over Bruce Arthur and Simon Rouse. Ben and David from Bendigo ran well early, however a couple of costly mistakes dropped them to 4th and 5th respectively.
Fresh from a great series in Europe, Natasha Key won W2 by a huge 23 minutes in front of Claire Brownridge and Leisha Maggs. If Tash had run in the M2, she still would have won by a margin of over 5 minutes!
M2 was however, won convincingly by Tim Hatley, who said afterwards that he had blitzed the course. David Colls and Chris Norwood were the minor placings. Jimmy Cameron was best placed Bendigo orienteer in 4th. He had 6 fastest legs, but 2 errors of around 6.5 minutes was the difference at the end.
W3 was won by Carolyn Jackson who lead from the start and was unchallenged. Julie Flynn and Janine Steer followed up in the small field.
M3 was a tight battle between Adrian Perry and Roch Prendergast, with Adrian just pipping his father-in-law by 10 seconds. Russell Bulman took 3rd ahead of Neil Barr less than a minute later. This course had 5 different leaders!
W4 was won by Lian Perry, however the minor places of Sue Key and Mel Gangemi both had opportunities to take the lead.
M4 winner Toph Naunton lead from the start, but, he didn’t have it all his own way with junior Jensen Key pushing hard through the middle section and finishing only 7 minutes behind. Mason Arthur took 3rd.
W5 was won by Serryn Eenjes, 5 minutes ahead of Bendigo club mate Caitlyn Steer followed by Judi Herkes. The juniors were very happy with their run, since it was their first foray into the moderate level courses.
M5 was won by Barry McCrae, over Bendigo club members Daryl Fleay and Archie Neylon.
Raelee Eenjes was unchallenged in W6 to win by 8.5 minutes ahead of Dianne Searle and Barbara McCrae.
M6 had just 3 competitors with Don Fell winning by more than half an hour over John Dempster and Graeme Cadman.
W7 winner was Elizabeth Hatley, the only competitor.
M7 was a battle of the juniors. Torren Arthur winning strongly over Hayden Tang and Will Davey.
W8 winner was Jenny Sheahan, the only competitor.
M8 was between Alexander Rowlands and John Sheahan.
M9 was convincingly won by sub-junior Ryan Ciacic ahead of Matt Layton and Benjamin Colls.
Location
Eppalock
