Doncaster Newsletter
Round 3 XCR – 12/06/2025
Cross country relays were held at Jells Park, Waverley. Junior athletes ran 3km, and Open/Masters 6km, with different divisions having 3-6 individual athlete legs. It was a great opportunity to reconnect with teammates, race over achievable distances and meet some newcomers. We welcomed invitees; Roberto Chavez, Phil Rattcliffe and Sean Churchward (all from Ruffey Runner) and Trev Carter to the Masters competition. Madeliene Kearney, Deb Garden and Alex Jones ran their first XCR event for the season. Young Anna Firth (U14) is a newcomer to DAC, and put in a fantastic first effort, along with invitee Sophie Tan (also U14). Erich Rangmeier (50+) also made his DAC debut and looks to be a high-quality addition to the Masters team. A big welcome to All!
Two teams enjoyed podium placings – U18 Boys – Alfie Onley, Joel Denny and Harry Maddocks made up a formidable team and achieved a well-deserved bronze. The Women’s 50+ team of Natalie Harvey, Elizabeth Dunne and Kath Gawthorn were also awarded bronze. A few Masters athletes stepped up to Open competition – Deb Garden and Lydia Rinaudo in the Women’s Div 2, and John Curry and Shawn Ko in the Men’s Div 2, all putting in solid efforts, and managed a smile as they cross the finish/changeover area. A couple of teams were incomplete and short on athletes – we look forward to a seeing a few more faces at future rounds.
Of the individual performances; Anna Firth, daughter of Natalie Harvey, and Harry Maddocks were quickest over the 3km course. However, a huge shout to all the juniors who put in a stellar effort. Madeliene Kearney (U18) was quickest female over the 6km course, and Deb Garden (40+) the quickest Masters athlete. Deb is working on her ‘aerobic base’ this winter – 25:47 over 6km of cross country is some aerobic base! Alex Jones was firing in the Men’s Open team, and David Vaughan (50+) the quickest Masters athlete.
We really appreciated the assistance of Valmai Maskell (Lydia Rinaudo’s Mother) and Tom Leong from Doncaster Masters who came to complete volunteer duties. Thanks also to Luca Scholes-Robertson who completed club volunteer duty – Luca will soon be leaving to take up a scholarship overseas, and we wish him all the best, but also look forward to having him return.
Thanks to our Team Managers, Matt Christy and Cam McLennan, and to Darryl Kilmartin, for their efforts in sorting us out for this relay round, including tent and providing snacks. The weather looked ominous for most of the day; however, we got a break from the rain during most of the competition period. The tent was much appreciated!
All results are provided below, with more detail available at Resultshub (Results Hub)
|
Grade |
Distance |
Name |
Performance |
Notes |
|
FOpen Div 2 |
4x6km |
(Lydia Rinaudo: 26:01; Madeleine Kearney: 24:21; Deb Garden: 25:47) , team incomplete |
1:16:09 |
|
|
F14 |
3x3km |
(Anna Firth: 13:10; Sophie Tan: 14:11) , team incomplete |
27:21:00 |
|
|
F50 |
3x6km |
(Natalie Harvey: 27:04; Elizabeth Dunne: 31:31; Kath Gawthorn: 30:41) |
1:29:16 |
3rd |
|
MOpenDiv 2 |
6x6km |
(Nathan Down: 23:02; Alex Jones: 21:03; Matthew Christy: 22:52; Brock Goodings: 26:10; John Curry: 28:20; Shawn Ko: 28:02) |
2:29:29 |
|
|
M18 |
3x3km |
(Alfie Onley: 09:36; Joel Denny: 09:43; Harry Maddocks: 09:32) |
28:51:00 |
3rd |
|
M14 |
3x3km |
(Sawyer Onley: 10:30; Edward Borham: 10:35), team incomplete |
21:05 |
|
|
M40 |
3x6km |
( Sean Churchward: 32:44; Phil Rattcliffe: 30:27; Roberto Chavez: 30:24) |
1:33:35 |
INV |
|
M50 |
3x6km |
(David Vaughan: 23:39; Jason Merrett: 28:35; Campbell McLennan: 25:11) |
1:17:25 |
9th |
|
M50 |
3x6km |
( Trev Carter: 26:32; Erich Fangmeier: 27:51; Darryl Kilmartin: 34:34) |
1:28:57 |
INV |
Round 4 – Sunday 15th June (morning)
Something new this season; a 5km road race at Lakeside for all age groups! The event will start and finish at the stadium and stands to be a great test of our winter preparation, and could result in a PB? Entries have now closed all best of luck to all those competing. Please direct any queries to team managers or refer to the event page. 2025 On XCR: Round 4 – Lakeside:5 | Aths Vic
Round 5 – Sandown Road Relays – Saturday 28th June
Junior athletes run 1 lap (3.1km) and all others complete 2 laps. Please look out shortly for an email from our Team Managers calling for available athletes. Entries are completed by the club earlier than for individual event entries.
All Schools Cross Country Championships, Bundoora Park – Saturday 21st June
DAC use this event as our major annual fundraiser; running a BBQ to feed the hungry masses. Unlike previous years, there will be no AV Open or Overage events scheduled in the afternoon. However, many of our Junior athletes will be representing their school, and some vying for selection at the National level. We are reaching out to all DAC members and their families for their assistance with the BBQ, and cake stall. We’d love to have volunteers serve our customers, cook the BBQ, assist with set up/pack up, bake sweet items for sale alongside the BBQ items, and assist with preparing the coleslaw. Please put this date in your diary and we’d be extremely grateful for your help! Those who bake items and cannot attend Bundoora Park – details TBC option to drop those items off the day prior and closer to home. Please contact Darryl Kilmartin to register your interest in volunteering and/or baking goods for sale (secretary@doncasterac.org.au, 0433 075 400).
XCR Other Helpful information
Team Managers are here to help:
Matt Christy – winter.coordinator@doncasterac.org.au
Campbell McLennan (for those 40+) – registrar@doncasterac.org.au
Uniforms – please organise your uniform before coming to events. Contact Alessia Wynne (uniforms@doncasterac.org,au) and refer to the DAC website for uniform styles and prices (Link) Doncaster Athletic Club |
Other Club News
The DAC AGM and Presentation Night (season 24/25) was held on 30th May in the cricket pavilion (corner George and Victoria Streets) and there was a pleasing turn-out. Stay tuned for the AGM Minutes and advice of a few changes to the DAC Committee. Congratulations to our Summer and Winter Award, and Major Trophy winners which were presented on the night.
24-25 Award winners announced at Presentation night.
Russell Adams Best Club Person: Colleen Kelly
Tom Kelly Development Scholarship: Antony Gottlieb
David Baxter Male Athlete of the Year: Tom Reynolds
Joan Mahoney Female Athlete of the Year: Abbey Caldwell
Adrian Patti Coaches Award : Deija Mendelsohn
Outstanding Achievement: Harper Harding for an outstanding record-breaking season.
Outstanding Achievement: Alex Jones for winning in red at Stawell.
Summer points awards winners
Under 14 Women: Harper Harding
Under 14 Men: Lewis McLennan
Under 16 Women: Jamison Harding
Under 16 Men: Hamish McLennan
Under 18 Women: Eliza Chivers
Under 18 Men: Alex Lloyd
Under 20 Women: Sugi NeeCowen
Under 20 Men: Kaedin Levy :
40+ Women: Laura McLennan
40+ Men: Darryl Kilmartin
Open Men: Brock Goodings
Open Women: Mariah Papakonstantinou – Charmaine Smith Award Perpetual Trophy
Winter Cross Country Awards 2023 /2024
Junior Women: Bella Davies
Junior Men: Hamish McLennan
Open Women: Anita Finch
Open Men: John Hirst Perpetual Trophy XCR: Nick Finch
40+ Women: Lydia Rinaudo
40+ Men: Campbell McLennan
Annual Handicap award winners
Bill Chambers Cross Country Handicap: Laura McLennan
Peter Ruff 100m Handicap: Xavier Wang
Ivan Harding 800m Handicap for Men: Sean Churchward
Tom Kelly 800m Handicap for Women: Sophie Brooks
Adam Robertson Javelin Handicap: Paul Rawady
Congratulations to all the winners!