Veteran Stawell Amateur Athletic Club runner Meg Parnaby reveled in the flat conditions along the Wimmera River course last Saturday to take out the Andrew Darnell Memorial 8km Handicap.
The race started from the Horsham Running Club clubrooms in the Horsham Showgrounds, and proceeded south-west along the river for four kilometers, then returned.
It didn’t take long for Parnaby to reel in front marker Gary Saunders and by the half way mark she looked to be in top form, but late movers Ted Zgainski and Kelvin Mills both put in great runs to challenge Parnaby towards the end of the race. Ray Scott was also running strongly as was Daniel Henry.
Although Parnaby was clearly tiring over the closing stages she managed to hang on for victory. Ted Zgainski came home in second place with Kelvin Mills third.
Nathaniel Warren ran the fastest time of the day with 30 mins 25 seconds.
Susie Ellis was the quickest female in a time of 34 minutes 53 seconds.
The juniors raced over a 4km half length river circuit as well. Ebony Darnell kicked off first and held the rest of the pack at bay until the last kilometre of the race where McKenzie Ellis and Tobias Blair caught her. Blair came up with the win, with Ellis second and Darnell placing third.
Tobias Blair ran the fastest junior time of 18 minutes 45 seconds.
Somer Darnell ran a strong race to take out the sub-junior event.