BENDIGO REGION COMPETETIVE AT ELITE LEVEL.
The Bendigo Region team has continued its steady form in division one with many outstanding performances coming from the committed Bendigo members who raced in the main feature race on the athletics Victoria racing calendar the Skins Sandown 10km championships.
The Bendigo team fielded its strongest team for the season finishing in 8th place of the 12 state wide clubs. The region finished in front of power houses Sandringham, Collingwood, Doncaster and rivals Melbourne University.
Brady Threlfall was the fastest of the region team negatively splitting the second half finishing in a personal best time of 31.53 finishing 24th in the 631 male field.
Promising young star Cody Williamson was next best stepping up the distance in a time of 32.35 to be 3rd in the under 20 division. Williamson's winter season has already shown promise with fastest time honours at the first Victorian race at Jells Park with consistent improvement.
The ever improving Brian Keely was the next best for the Region with a time of 33.30 which placed him 71st overall.
Kyall Brittan was the 4th runner in a time of 34.18 finishing 104th.
Usually known for his 800m and 1500m talent Josh Nolan stepped up to the 10k distance proving he was worthy of division one representation running a respectful 34.41 and finishing 118th.
Phil Noden was the final division one finisher running 34.55 and finishing 123rd.
Bendigo captain Brady Threlfall was happy with the teams performances in saying “It’s without a doubt the main race of the season with the top 15 runners all Australian representatives, to come here and finish 8th was a great effort for the team, we missed Leon Keely with Australian representative commitments but guys like Josh Nolan and Bryan Keely lifted and ran their guts out for the team, if we can take a similar team into the Coliban relays we’ll be competitive with the home town advantage next month”.
Charles Chambers took out the 55-59 age group with a time of 35.55 with Joanne Keely also taking out her age category 45-49 in a time of 39.29
Without a doubt the run of the day went to Meredith Cook who ran a stella time of 37.04 finishing 21st overall. Meredith will continue her charge to try and go one spot better in the Eaglehawk to Bendigo after finishing a fantastic 2nd last year.
In the children’s race Kimberly Egan ran a well paced race to finish 27th in a time of 12.52 for 3km with Harriers club mates Caitlyn Hocking and Kirrily Burnett both smashing their personal best in excellent times of 12.29 and 12.22. After a successful campaign at the primary schools zone cross country earlier in the week Josh Powell was unfortunately tripped during the early stages race and could not continue.
The next race of the Victorian circuit will be the Ballarat 15km on the 21st of June.
Results from Bendigo Region Athletes at the Sandown State 10km Road Championships:
Brady Threlfall 31.53, Cody Williamson 32.35, Bryan Keely 33.30, Kyall Britten 34.18, Josh Nolan 34.41, Phil Noden 34.55, Evan Barr 35.47, Charles Chambers 35.55, Matthew Hook 36.10, Luke Hutchines 36.20, Josh Fahy 36.28, Peter Boyle 36.32, Victor Cook 38.32, Craig Green 38.52, David Tarrent 39.00, Anne Buckley 39.17, Joanna Keely 39.26, Benjamin Goode 39.45, Ross Evans 40.30, Megan Bennett 42.00, Jaime Cook 42.15, Kerrieanne Hocking 45.25, Amanda Worthington 45.43, Melinda Gilligan 59.25
Underage 3km race:
Kirrily Burnett 12.22, Caitlyn Hocking 12.29, Kimberly Egan 12.52.