There are some big days on the Australian sports calendar, AFL Grand Final, Melbourne Cup, Sydney to Hobart and of course the Launceston Running Club Feature race. Our wonderful sponsor provided a beautiful setting, unfortunately there needed to be some course changes, but hey the world is pretty adaptable these days, we have seen that with how people deal with covid restrictions or Leigh Geale adapts to Essendon being completely shithouse.
Anyway we adapted a 5 lap course around the lake, whilst marking the course and putting the turn sign out several plovers swooped at me, so the turn ended up being where I dropped it when I ran away like a little girl who fell off the swings, so a 10.3k Feature race it was, you will thank me for the extra training distance.
It was a hotly contested race and one of the features of the laps was that you could see everyone quite a bit on course. It was also awkward , approaching someone thinking do I encourage them or say Hi again, or do I wait and see if they say something, ohh too late they have gone past, now they will think I am rude, maybe I should go back, hang on they didn’t say anything to me, how dare they call me rude, seriously stuff them, oh wait I am at the turn I better focus…… Where was I? Sorry I will get to the point.
Out on course it looked like Ricky Markham finally took the handbrake off and was cruising in a comfortable lead looking strong, then his partner Robyn caught him and it was a tight battle, but as we got the last lap the wonder Cassie Sheehan was able to storm passed with a zippy run. She crossed the line in first place and a well deserved win. I actually don’t know enough about Cassie to make fun of her, but she is always cheerful and friendly on course so to see her win and run so well was fantastic. In second place was Barry Sproston he has been improving all season and his hard work is paying off. I like Barry, he makes me look like I have a tan. In third place was Mark Padgett, I already picked on him for his women shoes, his height and did an impression of his voice, so I wont mention any of that this week. He can bloody run quickly though.
Our fastest male today was Ricky Barnewall, probably would have taken it anyway but it helped that Zeggy popped into the toilets mid race, you don’t see Kipchoge going over for a mid race plop, but there you go. The fastest female was Deb Pauna, who also recently passed 400 club runs, an amazing effort, showing how often she runs and how old she must be.
The division two race saw the wonderful Sharni Long overcome her fear of race ribbons and actually win a race. This was her first race win ever and it was wonderful to see it happen after over 60 races with the club. Some say it is bad luck, others have said it was poor running, but the drought is over finally. Sharni has been a wonderful example of someone who just gets in and gives her best every week regardless of the result. In second place today was Mel Jessup continuing her great running season post baby and enjoying the 2.5K break that she gets off a week. In third place was Archer Rogers just holding off his fast finishing brother to take 3rd.
The fastest female was the ever speedy Rosie Jackson and the fastest male was Joe Rogers Jr in a tightly contested race.
The kids in division 3 kicked off the day and what a wonderful group they have been. Breaking through for his first win after completing every race this year was Darcy Staak, and another who has done every race Jacinta Rowlings was second. Third place went to young Jock Barnewall who cashed in later in the sweep, so a good day for him. Our fastest male was Marcus Finearty and our fastest female was Emily Padgett. A special thanks to all the children in this division, they all run with great spirit and just get on with it, it has been a pleasure to see the group run.
Full results can be found here.
After the race we enjoyed the nice surrounds to do our presentations, thank you to a sponsor Josef Chromy , your support over the last 3 seasons has been wonderful. Our Senior and Junior race sponsors Paragon Bds Advisors and Accountants and Eye Spy Signs respectively have been magnificent.
Another shout out to all of you who have volunteered during the year and a special mention to those who stepped up today to assist. Finally thank you to the committee members who made the season a wonderful success in particular and no order, Georgie, Kate, Tim, Rod, Dan, Natalie, Michelle who were there week in and week out making the runs happen. Thanks also to Kurt for bringing the caravan every week. Most importantly thank you to all our members and anyone who ran this year, it has been a very challenging season with a lot of curve balls and the support and encouragement from everyone makes it worthwhile.
All that is left in the season our end of year celebrations
The free event for juniors just needs an RSVP- here all race junior race winners will get their trophies and our other awards will be presented, this is Sunday September 18 at 12:30 at the Penny Royal, you can RSVP here.
Our Senior end of year dinner and celebration where all senior race winners and prizes (inclduing div 2 seniors) will be presented is at Josef Chromy on Friday the 23rd of September at 6pm, tickets are $70 including 2 courses and a drink and can be purchased here.
Thanks to anyone who read this drivel week to week, and if you got this far well done. Unfortunately a few members now start the season with one race bans for hugging me at the presentations, although Cassie and Deb were very keen not to hug, so I am slightly offended, but seriously I will hire security if I need too.
Finally thanks Sue Kerr for assisting with the course marking, or as she said “saving my marriage” ok I was a bit grumpy, I guess. I blame the plovers, they scare the crap out of me.
Bye, enjoy spring, hopefully we get some decent weather, wish Georgie would hurry up and do the results so I can attach them here and post this, hard to find good help. I could just stop typing, nah i will go ask her to hurry up, so If I am never seen again you know why.
