08/10/2015-Lake Hyland 5km

TRARALGON HARRIERS’ RACE REPORT 8/10/2015

Lake Hyland 5km, Churchill

One of the more popular of the Harriers’ Summer season races, as evidenced by the large turn-up, the Lake Hyland 5km course was tweaked a bit this time to exclude the bitumen road. Instead it incorporated a short footpath section, then about 1km of grassy cross-country before a final 2.5 laps of the lake walking track. Overall it was an interesting route, enhanced by the park and lake setting and superb weather.

A feature of the event was a strong presence of junior runners.

Firstly there was the junior race of one lap of the lake. This involved about eight enthusiastic primary –age kids, who raced off at a very quick clip. Unfortunately, times were not supplied for this event.

Then there was the main 5km event, split up into two starts, the early and late fields. This race included about 6 junior runners, most of strong talent.               The Morely twins, Colby, 20:02 and Tyler, 20:08 and Michael Tripodi, 19:42 all newcomers to the Harriers’ Thursday race, were amongst the juniors, most of whom finished in the quickest half of the total field of 46 participants.

Also welcomed to the Harriers for her first time this week was Susan Poole, 27:29.

The winner of the handicap component was talented junior athlete, Jack Murray, 21:51.

Tylah Whitehead, another skilled junior, took out second place, 22:26, followed by Simone Forbes, 21:40.

Amongst the quickest athletes for the 5km were Molly Irvine, 20:52; Simone Forbes, 21:40;Karen Graham, 21:48; Ian Cornthwaite, 18:01, Bryan Cake, 19:02 and Matt Buckland, 19:11.

This Thursday’s (Oct. 15^th) race is the challenging Chook Hill 6km handicap.

The location is just off the Old Melbourne Road, Morwell on the opposite side to the Water Factory. Starting time is 6pm, but be early to register.

www.traralgonharriers.org.au