SANDOWN RELAY CHAMPIONSHIPS – 17th JULY.
A head wind as runners went up the hill in the back straight made tired legs heavier. The open women running 2 x 3.1k laps were lead off by Gabby Bombell who ran well to clock laps of 11.05 and 11.55 for 23.00 mins and cahnged to Kerri Jorgensen in 4th position. Kerri ran two very consistent laps with 11.35 and 11.45 for 23.20 which moved the team into 3rd place. George Connell opened with 12.04 and 12.52 for the second lap to hold the team in 3rd place. Anna Thompson began the final leg 68 seconds behind Essendon and 2mins 10 behind Knox, and moved Box Hill into the silver medal position after 1 lap of 11.00 mins. A second lap of 11.14 consolidated her run of 22.14 as the 5th fastest for the women and a silver for the team.
1. Knox Sherbrooke 91.43
2. Box Hill 93.30
3. Doncaster 95.56
The under 20 team comprised of Katherine Lukey, Rachel King and Marion Gamble. Running only the one 3.1k lap, the team was in 4th position after Katherine – 13.26 – and Rachel – 12.12 – Marion ran the Keilor athlete down in the last few corners to hold on for 3rd by only 7 seconds.
1. Knox Sherbrooke 35.33
2. South Bendigo 36.38
3. Box Hill 37.42
The under 18 teams were lead off by Elisabeth Bird – 12.50 – and Kate Ackland – 13.26 – changing in 1st and 3rd positions respectively. Emily Smith – 11.58 – and Erica Sigmont – 12.05 – ran very well to hold the teams in the same positions. Jess De Bruin – 11.45 – the 5th fastest junior of the day, and Prue Healy – 12.35 – grabbed gold and bronze for the club.
1. Box Hill 36.33
2. Eureka 37.15
3. Box Hill 38.06
The under 16 faced tough competition at every change from Doncaster. Charlotte Roberts – 12.25 – finished the first leg in second place, 29 seconds ahead of Doncaster. Kate Thornton showed experience and courage to run solo with 12.02, still holding on to a slim 21 second gap. Jocelyn Keage had a tough assignment with the in form Kim Crow closing the gap fast. Jocelyn dug deep and held on to win by 4 seconds with 12.07.
1. Box Hill 36.34
2. Doncaster 36.38
3. St. Stephens 38.16
A special thank you to Val Armstrong, Hilary Roberts and David Smith for help with team timing during the event.