With only two races to go until the end of the season, Stawell Amateur Athletic Club runner Bob Freeland is finding his form, taking out the David O Jones Mitre 10 Handicap, held last Sunday.
This was Freeland’s second win in the last month. Running from a mid field mark, Freeland found the undulating 8km bushland course to his liking, overtaking first Gary Saunders, then John Collins, before setting out after race leader Carolyn Lehmann.
Further back, Keith Lofthouse and Steve Baird were also doing well, while backmarker Nathaniel Warren was rocketing through the rest of the field.
With about 1km to go, Lehmann still led from Freeland, with Lofthouse third, but Freeland stepped up the pace and caught Lehmann with about 200m to go, crossing the line first. Lehmann hung on for second, while Warren forged ahead of Lofthouse to claim third place.
Nathaniel Warren ran the days fastest time of 30 minutes 7 seconds, while Susie Ellis was the quickest female in a time of 39 minutes 25 seconds.
In the race for the Clubs Aggregate, Steve Baird is in the lead with 107 points, followed by Nathaniel Warren on 101 and Gary S.
With only one junior runner showing up for the 4km event, Emily Parnaby was awarded first and last place, and also fastest junior time!!
A small field of sub-juniors tackled a 1 kilometer out and back course, with Liam Burns running strongly all the way to win by 9 seconds from backmarker Tobias Blair. India Burns also ran well to claim third place.
Tobias Blair ran the fastest sub-junior time of 3 minutes 57 seconds.