After the long summer break, the Stawell Amateur Athletic Club staged its first race for the 2009 season with the 5km Dooen Engineering Handicap, held last Saturday.
Staged as a Sealed Handicap, all runners set off together, with handicaps applied after the race.
The mild but overcast conditions were ideal, as the senior runners set off over the undulating course through the Iron Barks north of Stawell.
Nathaniel Warren continued his good from from last year to lead from start to finish, recording the fastest time of the day of 19 minutes and 17 seconds.
Ray Scott also showed good early season form to come in in second place not too far behind Warren.
New runner Sarah Barham ran well to be the first female home in a time of 24 minutes and 7 seconds.
When handicaps were applied Peter Blair was declared race winner, with Nathaniel Warren in second place. Patrick Ellis also ran well to come in third. The juniors tackled a 2km out and back course, also staged as a sealed handicap.
All the junior runners ran well, and looked as thbe a hot contest once handicaps were applied.
The flying Liam Scott was first home in a time of 8 minutes 54 seconds, but after handicapping, Ebony Darnell found herself in first place with Tobias Blair second. Liam Scott was a close third.
The sub-juniors set off over a hilly 1000m course. Liam Burns was first home with the fastest time of 4 minutes and 14 seconds.
Once handicaps were applied Scarlet Burns found herself with the winners trophy, ahead of brother Liam. Somer Darnell put in a great run to come home in third place.