Box Hill had mixed results at the Road Relay Championships at Sandown Race Course on Saturday, 17 July. Marcus Tierney and Sam Hassett were the two standout performers in their respective races. Full results are listed below.

Runners were faced with the usual howling wind, but at least it wasn’t raining or really cold. . Our Section 1 team was sent off to an excellent start with Marcus Tierney determined to run a very fast leg. He put himself in an excellent position, tucking in behind the leading runners and was in eighth place or so when he ran through the first lap. He maintained and improved the team position, handing over in seventh place overall, and sixth in Section 1. Graeme Olden ran the second leg, in typically tenacious fashion recording the team’s second fastest performance for the day. Two other teams briefly caught us at the end of this leg, although both were later to fade, meaning were in a close up eighth position, just behind Nunawading and Essendon. Ballarat YCW and Glen Huntly were staging a great battle at the front of the race, with APS, Doncaster and Geelong all close to each other.

Tom Waters ran a serviceable leg, in conditions which were deteriorating, moving ahead of his Essendon and Nunawading opponents. Kynan Dawes maintained Box Hill’s relative position, as did Graham Crouch, in the fifth leg, and John Vaitkunas in the final leg. Graham Crouch’s time of 20 m. 44 s. was an exceptional effort for a runner who competed in A Grade in the 1960s, 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s. With these athletes completing their respective legs in similar times, we were able to hold onto sixth, the same placing as we had in 1997, but not as good as last year’s position.

Ahead of us, Glen Huntly was staging a great battle with Ballarat YCW, which was only settled in the last leg, when Julian Paynter put the result beyond doubt. APS dropped from third to fifth during the last leg. Geelong surprised with a solid effort to place third, courtesy of an excellent last leg from Craig Mottram. Doncaster were in contention until the last lap.

Our Section 3 team performed really well, taking second place behind Ballarat Club Eureka after an excellent first leg from Chris Bunney, which surpassed four A grade times. Chris benefited from running the first leg, which is always competitive. Other team members included Glen Tooze, Who maintained third place, Phil Pelgrim, Steve Dineen, who moved the team into second when Ringwood dropped off and then out, and it was anchored by Barry Lynch, running for Box Hill for the first time. Barry ran a particularly promising first leg

The Section 6 team won, which was very satisfying, with an excellent opening effort from Tim Heron. Adam Pepper took over, maintaining the strong position, with David Boyd running strongly, and Tim Conrad bringing Box Hill home in first position. Tim also ran a promising leg with a negative split.

The Junior teams were both in contention for medals. Our Under 20 team was in a prominent position for the whole race. David Tyler opened up, with Christian Ashby running second. Christian ran a very impressive time with Box Hill in second place. Simon Bromley was the third runner. Simon had the misfortune to collapse 60 metres short of the finish whilst in second place. He was unable to complete the lap.

Our Under 18 team placed second in their event, a most pleasing performance. Sam Hassett ran first and ran a really impressive sub-10 minute leg, as did Matthew Spain. Simon McGuinness also ran well and secured second place for Box Hill. Well done to all team members on your success. Thanks to Rob Falkenberg for his usual guidance and management of these teams.

We had some difficulty in getting officials on course, to do mandated jobs. Thanks to Les Armstrong who made himself available and has given Box Hill superb service as an official over many years. The assistance provided at short notice by Megan Sloane, before running her leg, Steven Dineen and Barry Lynch, who did the same was greatly appreciated. Tim Heron and Chris Bunney also assisted by relieving these athletes when they had completed their legs. Runners not competing are strongly encouraged to act as officials; people shouldn’t need to be asked. They should volunteer for these necessary tasks. Tim also relieved Rob Falkenberg in managing Section 6 after one of our athletes needed medical treatment, and is thanked for his thoughtfulness.

Ian Sloane

Section 1 and 3 Team Manager

1. Glen Huntly 111 m. 51 S. Moneghetti 17 m. 55
2. Ballarat YCW 112 m. 45 S. Quilty 18 m. 05
3. Geelong 112 m. 54 C. Mottram 18 m. 07
4. Doncaster 113 m. 49
5. A.P.S. 113 m. 59
6. Box Hill 114 m. 12