XC Relays - Race Report

Cloudy 18 deg, humidity 51%, wind 18.3km/h from NNW

Relays were back in action at Victoria Park for the first time this season. Little recent rain, on a sunny warm day, and some of the grass area mown meant the course rating was firm and fast. Athletics SA produced another course variation - 1.5k loop. There were two races 3x3k and 3x6k with 61 teams competing. A big thanks to all team managers who had the unenviable task of getting final teams sorted and athletes ready to run.

The Men’s race the Flinders AC trio of Jacob Cocks (FLN), Riley Cocks (FLN) and Lachlan Scott (FLN) got the job done. On the opening leg Jacob and Max Stevens (HILLS) traded places before Jacob got a slight lead going into the second leg, with Dylan Stenson (SAINTS) about 50 seconds back. Riley extended Flinders led as he strode away from Jason Matulick (HILLS) who had been thrown into the deep end with his first run for the club. By the last changeover Riley had given Lachlan a commanding 2 minute lead. Steve McKenna (AH) had worked his way through the athletes ahead of him to give the Harriers a 11 second lead over Hills. The last horse race meeting at Victoria Park might have been in December 2007, but there were certainly some thoroughbreds out there today. We have already seen how smooth a runner Matthew Clarke (HILLS) is, but set with a challenge to chase down Adrian Potter (AH) he excelled as he quickly made up the ground and then went way from Adrian to take second. In the end the Cocks brothers had set up an unbeatable lead for Lachlan to practice his relay victory celebration with half a minute to spare.

Fastest Times: 1. Matthew Clarke (HILLS) 17.17; 2. Riley Cocks (FLN) 17.36; 3. Adrian Potter (AH) 17.39; 4. Jacob Cocks (FLN) 17.46; 5. Max Stevens (HILLS) 17.50; 6. Steve McKenna (AH) 18.25; 7. Dylan Stenson (SAINTS) 18.39; 8. Adam Goddard (SAINTS) 18.45; 9. Bailey Dyer (FLN) 18.46; 10. Lachlan Scott (FLN) 18.52.

The result of this relay was never in doubt as Hills Districts have dominated this year’s winter premiership. Caitlin Adams (HILLS) set up the victory with a dominant fastest leg of the day to lead Brook Hines (SAINTS) by two and a half minutes, with Caitlin Slobedman positioned in third. Not far behind was Sophie Morphett (PEM) and Sarah Short (AH) equal fourth. Jessica Stenson (HILLS) built the lead out to 6 minutes with another impressive run pulling away from Jenna Kelly (AH) who was still had Charlotte Ruddenklau (PEM) close behind. In a surprise move Tessa Potenzny (HILLS) was the third leg runner. Tessa hasn’t for a number of years and while her lead was cut in half by a quality athlete Tara Palm (AH) she was able to give Hills the victory over Adelaide Harriers. In the end the depth of Hills was evident with Emma Kraft (HILLS) giving their B team third place.

Fastest Times: 1. Caitlin Adams (HILLS) 19.50; 2. Jessica Stenson (HILLS) 20.09; 3. Tara Palm (AH) 20.10; 4. Brooke Hines (SAINTS) 22.24; 5. Jenna Kelly (AH) 22.48; 6. Emma Kraft (HILLS) 22.50; 7. Caitlin Slobedman (HILLS) 23.10; 8. Tessa Potenzny (HILLS) 23.15; 9. Charlotte Ruddenklau (PEM) 23.09; 10. Sarah Short (AH) 23.16, Sophie Morphett (PEM) 23.16.
 

In the women’s competition Adelaide Harriers won the O/35s (Ciara Foster, Elizabeth S, Bec F) and the O/50s (Michelle Leydon, Julie Hargreaves, Patricia Laird). In the 3k event Saints won the U/16s (Sasha Hardin, Noa Goddard, Daisy Braithwaite).

In men’s competition the Pembroke trio of Sam Creighton (PEM), Joe Cross (PEM) and Jack Atherton (PEM) held off Flinders and Saints in the men’s U/20 relay. Adelaide Harriers won the O/35s and O/50s. In the 3k event Adelaide Harriers had winning teams in the U/18 (Cooper Giles, Jackson Rendall, Cael Mulholland) and U/14 (Tully Hickman, Nicholas Pavia, Zac Bold).
 

In the Men’s competitions, the outright win helped Flinders (92) maintain their slight lead over Adelaide Harriers (84) in the Open men’s premiership. Both clubs scored 34 points in a hotly contested relay. Adelaide Harriers (152) continue to dominate the O/35&O/50 over Flinders (91). Not much change in the U18&U20 competition with Adelaide Harriers (97) in a commanding lead over Flinders (27). Saints (32) still lead the U/14& U/16 premiership.

The depth of Hills Districts (103) Open women’s team was evident again and now hold an unassailable lead over Flinders (33).  In the O35&O50 premiership another strong showing by Adelaide Harriers (75) sees them extend their lead over Hills Districts (30). No change in the U18&U20 women’s premiership with Pembroke (18) still leading. The U14&U16 age group is even closer following the relays with Flinders (33) holding a narrow lead over Tea Tree Gully (29), with six club within 12 points of the lead.

 

Report thanks to Paul Sutcliffe - ASA Statistician