Doncaster Newsletter
XCR Round 2: St Anne’s Winery Bendigo – 28/5/2022
The second round of the Cross Country season (May 28th) saw Doncaster competing at St Anne’s Winery, approximately 20km from Bendigo. This was not to be confused with the ‘other’ St Anne’s Winery near Bacchus Marsh, which we will visit for XCR Round 4. Considering it being late May, and near Bendigo – we were greeted with picture-perfect XCR running conditions!
In total, 24 athletes signed up for the challenging course, with the usual contingent of hills. Thankfully, a dry course and no real obstacles aside a couple of small mud patches. Some of the juniors took to a sprint up that final hill to finish their 3-4km event! The Open and Masters Athletes needed to complete the 4km loop twice, and with fatigue setting in, the finish a very welcome sight! However, knowing spectators had their cameras out at the finish – you needed to look your best! We had the pleasure of Quinn Downward (daughter of Kate Downward) and friend Lily Clarke coming along to try ‘Seniors’. A new initiative for AV has been the introduction of an invitational family race – children 5-11 are encouraged to run, along with parents and others who want to give running a try! Why not bring your family members next time?
Anita Finch and Alistair Christy were the fastest DAC athletes over the 8km course, while the fastest juniors were Sanne Bakker (U18, 3km) and Luca Scholes-Robertson (U18, 4km). Alistair has made a fantastic start to this 2022 winter season – he was also fastest DAC male in Round 1; and finished 14th in a large field of 341 at St Anne’s in Round 2. Owing to travelling and many other junior events being held right now, junior fields were relatively small. Sanne Bakker (U18) finished 9th, and the duo of Lewis and Hamish McLennan finished 10th and 12th in their U14 event. Luca Scholes-Robertson was 8th in the 29-strong U18 Men’s field. David Vaughan (M55) clocked an impressive 33.29 in the Men’s 8km event – and was placed 16th of the 99 fifty-plus athletes.
Our teams faced tough opposition, especially from the nearby regional teams (Bendigo and Ballarat), who were in their element. Men’s U14 and U18 both finished 2nd and the Women’s Open Division 3 team was placed 3rd.
If you were after a good time, St Anne’s Winery was the place to be! Local businesses sold their wares, a singing duo belted out tunes all day, and food and wine were on offer for a post-run treat! AV and the local community looked after us, making the 2hr journey well worth the effort! Thank you to the parents and volunteers who helped the athletes get out there and competing! Congratulations to all on a great day of cross country running, and those who bought some wine; enjoy and cheers!
Individual Results
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Women; Open and Masters 8km |
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Place (total field: 151) |
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Anita Finch 34:59 |
49 |
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Kate Downward 40:20 (W45) |
34/65 in 40+ |
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Sue Kilmartin 41:14 (W50) |
18/33 in 50+ |
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Leah Finch 42:10 |
118 |
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Laura McLennan 46:49 (W45) |
56/65 in 40+ |
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Kath Gawthorn 47.57 (INV, W45) |
59/65 in 40+ |
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Women U18 3km |
Place (total field:15) |
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Sanne Bakker 12:40 |
9 |
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Men; Open and Masters 8km |
Place (total field:341) |
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Alastair Christy 25:41 |
14 |
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John Portwood 27:16 |
51 |
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Nick Finch 28:15 |
85 |
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Matthew Christy 28:43 |
93 |
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Brendan Cullen 32:11 |
167 |
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David Vaughan 33:29 (M55) |
16/99 in 50+ |
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Campbell McLennan 38:27 (M45) |
103/155 in 40+ |
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Jason Merrett 39:10 (M45) |
111/155 in 40+ |
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Brock Goodings 41:01 |
309 |
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Darryl Kilmartin 44.14 (M55) |
84/99 in 50+ |
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James Finch 45:43 (M60) |
90/99 in 50+ |
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Men U18 4km |
Place (total field:29) |
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Luca Scholes-Robertson 14:02 |
8 |
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Josh Ascar 14:35 |
13 |
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Liam McLennan 14:47 |
18 |
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Men U14 4km |
Place (total field:12) |
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Lewis McLennan 19:30 |
10 |
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Hamish McLennan 20:48 |
12 |
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Family Invitational 3km |
Place (total field:12) |
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Lily Clarke 15.03 (age 10) |
3 |
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Quinn Downward 15.31 (age 11) |
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4 |
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Team results
Men’s Premier Division – 10th (2 points)
Men Open Division 5 – 5th (12 points)
Women Open Division 3 – 3rd (10 points)
Women Open Division 5 – 8th (3 points)
Women U18 – 9th (2 points)
Men U18 – 2nd (9 points)
Men U14 – 2nd (9 points)
Women’s 40+- 12th
Women’s 50+ – 15th
Men’s 40+- 28th
Men’s 50+ – 20th
Congratulations to Abbey Caldwell and Anthony Jordan!
Abbey Caldwell ran a personal best of 4.04.18 in the 1500m at the USATF Distance Classic to achieve a World Championship Qualifier, after being oh-so-close on a couple of previous attempts. Abbey started at Doncaster as a young junior who just enjoyed running; now ready for International competition at its highest level! Abbey is also vying for selection in the 2022 Commonwealth Games (Birmingham, August)
Anthony Jordan has been selected for the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games! Anthony was inspired by a Grade 2 PE teacher to try athletics – particularly sprints and long jump. His determination and commitment were obvious right from these early stages, and he has now become one of Australia’s best young para athletes.
It is going to be exciting to watch their progress – 2 young International-level athletes who started at DAC as juniors.
Tom Kelly Athletics Track – an update!
The track is all-but complete and looks lovely from the air! (As captured by drones). However, there have been minor delays in the irrigation and drainage works. At this stage, the track is scheduled to re-open in the next week, however, we will keep members further updated about this. We look forward to seeing all the DAC squads back together and training at the wonderfully upgraded facilities!
Friday 3rd June (7pm) – DAC AGM and Presentation Night
Our 2022 AGM and presentation night will be held in the brand new cricket pavilion (adjacent to oval and Tom Kelly athletics track). Pizza and soft drink will be on offer, and important announcements will be made about the club as we head into season 2022/2023. All welcome!
All Schools Road and Cross Country Relays – Results
The last 2 weekends (14 and 21 May) saw a few of our junior athletes in action as they competed for their schools. Congratulations to:
Jemma Young and Rosie Lyness (U18, Canterbury Girls); who competed in both cross country (4km) and road relay (3km) events, narrowly missing a medal in the road event.
Josh Ascar (Whitefriars, U18); competing in the 4 x 4km cross country event, his team 4th.
Lil Pertzel (U16) and sister Elke Pertzel (U14) who represented Lauriston Girl’s Grammar in the 4 x 3km cross country relay event.
XCR Round 3 – Cruden Farm
XCR is set to return on Saturday June 18, where athletes test themselves over distances from 2-12km. Unless you’ve purchased a full XCR season entry, please be sure to complete single event online entries for Cruden Farm Round 3 by closing (11.59am on Wednesday 15th June) via the AV portal. Please direct any queries to the Winter Coordinator Matt Christy (Email: winter.coordinator@doncasterac.org.au)
Stay Fit, Stay safe