Fourteen senior runners lined up for the Chris Blake Sealed Handicap 3km Championship. Held over a hilly course along Centre Road, in the Iron Bark forest on the edge of Stawell, all runners set off together, with the first runner across the line in each section the taking out the Championship points. After the race handicaps were applied to determine the handicap winner.
Both senior and junior runners set off together, with some of the junior runners providing stiff competition for many of the senior runners. Nathaniel Warren led the field out at a very solid pace, with Gary Howden and Ray Scott not far behind. In form junior runner Liam Scott put in a great run to keep the senior leaders in sight.
Over the final kilometre, Warren was too strong for the rest of the field and drew away to take line honours and the Open Championship points with Howden second. Warren’s time was 10min 27sec.
First woman home was the ever consistant Susie Ellis, who claimed both the Open and Vets Championship points with the fastest women’s time of 13min 8sec.
After handicaps were applied, Peter Barham claimed his first win for the season, with Gary Saunders second, and Patrick Ellis third.
Liam Scott blitzed the junior field to finish 4th overall in the senior field, and take the Junior Championship points in a time of 11min 35sec. After handicaps were applied, he also took out the handicap section, with Tobias Blair second and Jed Prouse third.
Somer Darnell took out the sub-junior 1.5km event in 8min 18sec.