Vicki Tyler made amends for a barren season of racing in 2018 by leading an all-girl charge to a surprise win in the five-and-a-half kilometre Hunter Gardens and Landscaping Handicap at Concongella last Saturday.
In twelve runs with the Stawell Amateur Athletic Club last season, Tyler managed just one-third placing but had otherwise finished no closer than eight in the other eleven starts.
However a sixth in the season opener at Stawell the week before indicated that the Horsham visitor was on the way back.
Making steady ground through the big field, Tyler hit the front and withstood a determined bid from Jess Cass to hold a comfortable 38-second margin over the runner-up with Naomi Hunter clinging on for third.
Only Nathan Baker prevented fifth-placed Katie Collins from icing the race with an all-femme quartet.
Tyler credited her return to form to a rigorous training regime which includes weekly long runs, speed sessions, time trials, pump classes, and yoga!
“I set myself goals. I have the Geelong Half Marathon next weekend, the Melbourne Half in October and I’ve run nine Melbourne Marathons. The last was two years ago, but I’m not sure if there’s another one in me.”
She is, however, thinking about it as do most of the club’s indefatigable females – Cass, Hunter, Collins and Matilda Iglesias who start running, give it body and “sole” and aim at half-marathons in the very least of their endeavors.
The club takes a break from battle these school holidays but returns to Stawell for the five-kilometer David O Jones Mitre 10 Handicap on April 27. Fun runners are welcome.