BENDIGO DIVISION 1 TEAM FINDS TOUGH COMPETITION

The Bendigo Region athletics team had to conquer the toughest course on the Athletics Victoria XCR09 series calendar at Lardner Park , Warragul. Athletes were met with fences, ditches and steep terrain to make it to the finish line. The event also doubled as the Victorian Country Cross Country Championships and also the Masters Championships.

The day started well for the Bendigo team when Kaine Leech finished 6 th in a time of 13:51 in the Under 18, 4000 metres. Leech continued on from his stellar summer season with another outstanding performance and the collection of a silver medal in the country athlete category.

Cody Williamson skipped the open event to run in the Under 20, 4000 metres and like Leech finished with a silver medal in the country athlete category with a time of 12:46.

Youngster Josh Powell at his first venture on the state cross country scene finished a respectable 16 th of 28 in the Under 14, 2000 metres in a time of 8:26. Kimberley Egan also having her first run finished 23 rd in the same event for the girls in a time of 9:05.

In the open age categories it was Meredith Cook who performed best in collecting a silver medal in the Country Championships and finished 16 th overall in a field of 161. Cook returning after a lay off ran a time of 15:25 over the tough 4000 metre course and looks set for a terrific season.

The consistent Anne Buckley in the 40 plus group finished 4 th overall in the 4000 metre event with a time of 16:11 and first country athlete.

Charles Chambers continued on his medal winning spree in the 55-59 age category with an excellent victory over the 8000 metres in a time of 30:51. Chambers continues to conquer the 50 plus age group with a huge number of consecutive medals.

The Bendigo Region men's Division 1 team found the task a daunting one without Cody Williamson who ran an earlier event and Kyall Britten missing due to work commitments. The depth was severely tested in the 12 team competition and the team finished tenth to be just above the relegation zone on the current standings. Box Hill with 5 athletes in the top 20 dominated the event. With a full team the Bendigo Division 1 team is competitive but it could be a long season without the availability of the regions best athletes and to remain in the top echelon of athletics in Victoria .

The best performers on the day for the Division 1 team in the 404 athlete field and 8000 metre race were Brady Threlfall 25 th in a time of 25:41, underage athlete Andy Buchan continued his remarkable rise and in the open age event with a 45 th in 27:42 and Bryan Keely enjoying the mountainous course with his orienteering background finishing 57 th in 28:07 well above expectations in a gutsy performance.

The next race in the state based competition will be the Sandown Classic Road Race held on the famous Sandown car racing track which also doubles as the state road racing championships that will be held on the 30 May.