Parnaby Pace Sealed Handicap
Stawell Amateur Athletic Club launched the 2005 cross country running season with the Parnaby Pace Sealed Handicap, held in perfect conditions in the Iron Barks reserve north of Stawell. Twenty-three senior runners lined up for the challenging 5000 metre course.
Being a sealed handicap, with all runners starting together and handicaps applied after the race, no runner knew exactly how they were placed overall as they made their way around the hilly course.
First across the line and with the fastest time of the day was Col Barnett, running a quick time of 18min 14sec, a full 68 seconds ahead of Tim Schneider, then six runners all finished within the next 25 seconds, making a very exciting finish.
After handicaps were applied, Rupanyup runner Craig Turner took out the event, showing good early season form with 19min 40sec, followed by Paul Atherton, who put in a strong performance to place second. Peter Steggall was third.
Fastest female was Alexa Duke in a time of 24min 35sec.
Seven juniors set out over the 2000 metre course, with it soon becoming evident who had done their pre-season training and who hadn’t!
First across the line was Alastair Dugdale in a very snappy time of 7min 14sec, closely followed by Thomas Blair and Nat Watson.
However, after handicaps were applied, Thomas Blair was declared the winner from Nat Watson with Greta Duke third. Greta posted the fastest junior female time of 8min 23sec.
Nine sub-juniors set out over a 1000m dash, with Liam Scott emerging from the bush to take line honours by 6 seconds from a flying Stacey Faravoni.
Liam’s time of 4min 55sec was good enough to earn him the win on handicap as well, with Stacey taking second place, and also fastest girl with 5min 01sec. Elly Barnett put in a good race to take third.