Steggall Family Handicap & Grand Prix
Stawell Amateur Athletic Club held the Steggall Family Handicap at the picturesque Halls Gap recreation reserve in conditions ideal for running. The 6500m handicap incorporated a scenic route up and around the Grampians foothills.
The track was definitely the most challenging this season and sorted out the 28 senior runners fairly early with some sharp inclines and sandy stretches. This was a backmarkers race and the finishing order indicated the depth of the competitors fitness.
The field included runners from the newly formed Horsham Running Club as well as several from an Adelaide running club, but once again it was youngster Karl Scott who blitzed the field with his easy loping style.
His running is going from strength to strength and he is regularly mixing it with the older and more seasoned runners. The handicapper will have Karl’s measure after this race and he may find himself relegated to the back markers ranks.
Karl has also taken out both the Grand Prix events so far, so must have is eye on that weekend for two in Melbourne!!
Backmarker Col Barnett showed his strength and fitness to come through the field to claim second, his long stride making short work of the challenging course. Col also ran the fastest time of the day, 25min 21sec. The super fit Susie Ellis ran third and also clocked the fastest female time of 29min 15sec.
A field of 14 juniors set off over a less severe 2500m course that still include one steep hill. Lochie Ellis claimed first place with a determined effort over such a challenging course.
New member Ursula Van Dyke ran extremely well to come in second, just holding off Shaun Parnaby who finished one second behind for third place.
Alastair Dugdale ran the fastest junior time of 10min 22sec, and the fastest junior girl was Ilana Jorgenson with 12min 10sec.
The sub-juniors competed over an undulating 1000m out and back course, with 11 runners lining up for the start. Chloe Jamieson crossed the line well in front, with the youngest runner in the field, 5 year old Liam Burns coming in second, ahead of Georgia Barnett. Liam Scott ran the fastest sub-junior time of 4min 7sec. Fastest girl was Stacey Faravoni in 4min 30sec.