Runners to compete on Big Hill layout

HUNDREDS of athletes will race around the St Anne’s Winery layout in this Saturday’s second round of Athletics Victoria’s cross-country series.

It’s the first time in more than 20 years that AV will run a state event in Bendigo and marks a return to the nearby Belvoir Park Golf Club where the national cross-country championships were run in 1995 and 1996.

Athletics Bendigo’s teams, dubbed the Bendigo Bats, will aim to capitalise on home-ground advantage and chance to run before a home crowd.

Bendigo marked its return to men’s premier division by being number one in the XCR22 series opener in the Jells Park team relays.

The Bats line-up of dual national 10-kilometre cross-country champion Andy Buchanan, the experienced Brady Threlfall and Brian McGinley, and rising stars Matt Buckell, Archie Reid and Nathan Stoate will aim to reign supreme.

Regions from as far afield as Ballarat, Geelong, Collingwood, Richmond, Mornington, St Stephens, and Western Athletics will be represented on the Big Hill course.

After round one the Bats saw their division four men in first, division seven men in second and third, division four women also in first, under-20 women in second, under-18 boys in first, under-18 girls hold ninth, the 40-plus men are in first, with the 50-plus men in 12th 50-plus women in sixth.

Racing at St Anne’s in Big Hill begins at 12.20pm with the four-kilometre for under-14 boys and girls, whole athletes in the other four-kilometre events take to the course at 12.40pm.

The day includes a family run/walk of three kilometres from 1pm and action in the eight-kilometre events goes from 1.40pm.

Away from the cross-country course, St Anne’s will have a fully licensed bar in The Big Shed, food available by St Anne’s and Big Red Food Van, music by Harlequin, as well as complimentary wine tasting.

The cellar door will also be open.