Steggall Family Handicap
Keeping the family winning streak alive, Stawell Amateur Athletic Club runner Ray Scott followed up son Karl’s two recent wins with a win of his own last Saturday, when he overpowered a strong field to take out the Steggall Family Handicap.
Held over a testing 6.5km course through the foothills of the Grampians at Halls Gap, the 34 senior competitors had to contend with steep inclines and sandy tracks; difficult conditions that favoured the stronger, fitter runners.
Carol Lehmann lead the field out, followed by Hanne Blair, with a large group of runners only a few minutes behind. One of the last runners away, Ray Scott worked hard to overtake most of the field with about 2km to go. Only Hanne Blair and Susie Ellis remained out in front. Adrian Tyler and John Kelly were still hanging on not far behind and proving to be Scotts strongest threats.
With 800m to go, Scott hit the front. Proving too strong for Adrian Tyler over the closing stages, he crossed the line for a clear win. Tyler came home second, with John Kelly running very well to come in third. Susie Ellis was fourth and claimed fastest female time of 29 minutes 32sec.
Col Barnett placed fifth with the fastest time of the day of 25 minutes 54sec.
Eight juniors set off over a 2500m course, with Sarah Ellis and Emma Beddison leading the way. Greta Duke ran strongly to hit the lead with 600m to go, but Shaun Parnaby was slowly closing the gap.
Meanwhile backmarker Daniel Faravoni was carving his way through the field at a great rate. Duke managed to hold off Parnaby to cross the line first, with Daniel Faravoni charging home for third place.
Fastest junior times were Daniel Faravoni with 9 minutes 50sec and Emily Parnaby with 11 minutes 23sec.
The sub-juniors tackled a 1km out and back course with Georgia Barnett just holding off a fast finishing Tobias Blair to take line honours by one second. Liam Burns ran well for third place.
Blair ran the fastest sub-junior time of 4 minutes 34sec and Elly Barnett was the quickest girl in 4 minutes 52sec.