Stawell Amateur Athletic Club runner Nathaniel Warren made short work of the club’s annual Advance Bricks King of the Mountain last Saturday, charging up the steep 3km Mount Rosea course in just under 13 minutes.
Held as a sealed handicap, all runners started together, with first runner home taking the King of the Mountain title, then handicaps were applied post race to determine the handicap section winner.
Warren broke free of the 11 strong field soon after the start, and slowly increased his lead to finish 30 seconds in front of the next two runners, in an excellent time of 12 minutes 55 seconds.
Second place was a very closely fought affair between Gary Howden and Ray Scott, but Scott proved too strong and crossed the line ahead of Howden.
Once handicaps were applied, Scott came out on top, with Warren in second place, while Susie Ellis was first lady home and Queen of the Mountain, as well as third in the handicap section. Ellis ran the distance in 14 minutes and 37 seconds.
Only 4 junior runners fronted for the difficult 3km event. Liam Scott was first home in a time of 15 minutes 46 seconds. Tobias Blair won on handicap, with Charlotte Hilbig in second place and Scott third.
Somer Darnell was the only sub-junior and put in a great run over the hilly 750m course to record a time of 4 minutes and 16 seconds.