Stawell Amateur Athletic Club held the challenging Advanced Bricks and Pavers King Of The Mountain 3km race on Saturday. The course was straight up the Silverband Falls Road.
A field of 26 runners lined up in perfect sunny conditions. Invitation runner Jade Merrett was first to the top but it was Col Barnett who claimed the King of the Mountain title, proving he is the strongest hill runner in the club.
His time was 13 min 4 sec. Jacinta Collier was the fastest female in a time of 16 min 3 sec. After handicaps were applied Ray Scott claimed the win over Peter Steggall with Col Barnett third.
The Junior race saw talented local runner Aaron first up the mountain in a time of 14 min 32 sec. Aaron also claimed the handicap section of the race with Karl second and Alastair third. The fastest girl was Lucy in a time of 16 min 37 sec.
A sealed handicap was also run in the Sub-Junior race with Nathan winning in a time of 4 min 4 sec over 1000m. Sophie was the fastest girl in a time of 4 min 25 sec.
When handicaps were applied Elly scored her first win for the season from Harrison with Richard putting in a gallant run for third.
The post race warm down has become an annual event with seven runners participating this year. The course took in panoramic views of the Grampians and Lake Bellfield. From the race finish they headed up through Delley’s Dell onto the Sundial car park, then up to the Pinnacle Lookout.
With afternoon tea calling them and the feeling that one of them could be the handicap race winner they headed back down the mountains into Halls Gap. Peter won the mountain goat award and was quoted “as being in Angel Gear”. Col has to buy the Mars Bars being the only one to have a fall (but will he come good with them?)
Many thanks to Peter and Adelene for inviting us to have afternoon tea at their house, and to those who retrieved the keys from Alison’s car (while her husband was off running in the mountains, as all concerned husbands do).