Stawell Amateur Athletic Club held the Howden’s Telstra Shop 6.5 km Handicap on Saturday. The course was run along the banks of the Wimmera River at Horsham, which provided a flat fast course suited to the front markers.
The back markers were unable to make up the ground in the last kilometre of the race, as is often the case. Rhonda Clark, who has had a good season so far managing to finish in the placings most weeks, crossed the line in first place ahead of Gaynor Radovic, with Meg Parnaby third in a field of 26 runners.
Col Barnet had the fastest time of 23 min 13 sec.The fastest female was Susie Ellis in a time of 27 min 46 sec.
Eleven Juniors lined up for the 4 km race with Jessica striding out to blitz the field by 2 minutes to win from Hugh in second place, followed by Aaron in third.
Marcus recorded the fastest time of 15 min 15 sec. The quickest girl was Lucy in a time of 17 min 13 sec.
Twenty-two Sub-Juniors ran a 2 km race, with the youngest runner in the field, six year old Liam, putting in a mighty effort to power home and win from Richard.
The fastest time was Nathan in 8 min. The fastest girl was Sophie in a time of 8 min 28 sec.