Stawell Amateur Athletic Club staged the first of four championship races on Saturday with the Chris Blake 3km Championship. The race was held along a straight stretch of road in the Ironbark forest on the edge of Stawell, which made for a fast hilly course.
Defending Champion Colin Barnett had no trouble maintaining his unbeaten record in championship races from last year, and lead the field of 24 runners across the line to win in a time of 10min 48sec.
Adrian Tyler, well suited to the shorter distances, finished second with Charlie Jones third.
Jacinta Collier was first female across the line and won the female Championship from Fiona O’Brien second, and Sharon Howden finished third.
After handicaps were applied it was Patrick Ellis, running exceptionally well this season after a long summer of triathlon racing, who came out the winner. Adrian Tyler was second with Fiona O’Brien third.
The Junior 3km Championship produced a good field of 14 runners.
Starting at the same time as the seniors, a lot of the younger runners finished in front of there more experience competitors.
At the finish it was Karl Scott who crossed the line first to win the Championship in a great time of 11min 49sec from Aaron van den Hoek, with Naomi Jamieson third. Naomi also won the girls Championship. After the handicaps were applied it was Karl Scott again the winner from Shaun Parnaby second, and Harry Steggall third.
The Sub-Juniors ran an out and back 1km course with Abbey Steggall, who was just pipped on the line last week, finally getting her win, taking out the handicap from Richard Dugdale in second place, and with Liam Scott third. Liam also ran the fastest time of 4min 30sec.