XCR ROUND 6

Doncaster Newsletter

Round 6 – 12/07/25

Saturday 12 July saw 18 DAC distance athletes travel to Victoria Park in Ballarat for cross-country running of 3-10km.  We were also joined by two U11 DLAC athletes who came to run a hotly contested 2km event.  These U11 athletes, and those Open and U20 were vying for selection at the Australian Cross Country Championships to be held at this very location on August 23 & 24.  Athletes U13 to U18 and still at school had their selection trials at Bundoora Park on June 21.  For them, it was a chance to have a sneak peek at the course. 

The day at Ballarat started around 11am, and for the earlier events it was sunny and relatively still.  However, as the day progressed, an icy wind and drizzle spoilt the party. This was a ‘good’ winter’s day by Ballarat standards!  The course was an interesting one – a bit of mud, logs to negotiate, and a ditch to jump which was complete with well-positioned warning sign.  The 2km and 3km loops needed to be travelled multiple times, especially for those on the 10km course.  This provided excellent spectator viewing particularly for those in the club tent city.    

Individual DAC athletes enjoyed great success.  Luca Sholes-Robertson won the Open Short-Course event, streets in front of the rest of the field.  He is soon to depart for the US on a University Scholarship and will be missed.  David Vaughan continued his excellent form, winning the 55-59 Short-Course event, whilst team-mate Campbell McLennan won Men’s 50-54.  Other success in the short course event included Jason Merrett (M50-54, 4th), and Darryl Kilmartin (M55-59, 6th).  Harry Maddocks placed 2nd in his U18 6km event and is looking the goods for the Australian Championships next month.  Tim Denny made it look easy over the 10km course, 37:55 an excellent result.  Such was the standard over the long-course event; this placed him 7th among those 45-49.  Others to place in the top 10 were Lydia Rinaudo (40+), narrowly missing the podium in 4th and Kath Gawthorn (50+) – 7th.  Both Ladies were the only female DAC starters at the event, both completing the 10km course.  Alfie Onley (U18) was placed 11th in his 6km event.  Hats off to Nick Finch who charged through 10km in 33:46, the quickest DAC athlete of the day.   

DAC and DLAC youngsters had a great hit-out at Ballarat!  It sure brought back memories when the U11s sprinted the first 400m of their 2km event and then tried to hang on for dear life!  Congratulations to Elaine Liang, 10th, and Arielle Soo, 15th, from DLAC!  DAC U14, U16 and U18 boys were well represented by Edward Smith, Sawyer Onley, and the McLennan duo, Hamish and Lewis.  Sawyer placed just outside the top 10 (14th).  Together with abovementioned Alfie Onley and Harry Maddocks, all of our Juniors deserve special mention for their school-holiday efforts. No gaming out there while running cross-country!  

In the teams’ competition this round – U18 boys were 2nd against the might of Essendon.  DAC male Open, 40+ and 50+ Short course teams finished in first position for yet another round and have a commanding lead on the XCR ladder.    

With thanks to Campbell McLennan who set up the DAC tent.  Campbell was just a few hours back from an overseas trip and we thank him for his commitment.   

All results are provided below, with more detail available at Resultshub (Results Hub)