Bacchus Marsh Little Athletics

The Centre Cross Country meet was held at Bostock Reservoir, Ballan.  A cold frosty Saturday morning, along with a wind chill factor of minus 2, found our athletes struggling to warm up in preparation for their programmed races.

The Open age runners were the first race for the morning as they competed over a 3km course. Under 15 athlete Sam White (BM) recorded the fastest time for the morning, completing the course in 12:53.20 mins. Other age group winners were Alexis Johnstone (BM) Under 13s, Mackenzie Estlick (BM) Under 14s, and Elise Cook (BM) Under 16s.

The Under 9 & 10 athletes lined up next, ready for their 1.5km event. Top 3 placegetters were Under 10 athlete Iyla Robinson (BM) closely followed by Under 10s Zeke Horne (BM) while Anni Clarke (BM) was next home; 1st Under 9 athlete.

A small field on Under 11 & 12 athletes contested the 2km event.  Dushan Baniluk (BM) was a clear winner.  Myah Estlick (BM) finished 2nd overall, 1st Under 11 girl while Cord Wilson (Melton) was next home.  Alexis Karmiste (Melton) was declared the Under 12 winner.

The long downhill, saw a fast start from the Under 7/8 field of athletes as they contested the 1km course.  Once again Harry Wark (Melton) was patient before taking the lead and showed his strength in the later stages of the race, powering up the hill to cross the finish line in 1st place overall.  Fletcher Reid (Melton) and Sadie Lloyd (Ballarat) were declared the Under 7 winners with Harry & Emilia Ibrahim (BM) the Under 8 winners.

Melton’s Mckinley Wilson was the winner of the Under 6 500m event with Bacchus Marsh’s Hayden Tung taking out 2nd place, 1st boy; with Bowie Clarke (BM) crossing the finish line in 3rd just pipping out Annabelle Menzies (BM) for the minor placings.

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This Saturday there will be no home run as intermediate and seniors athletes will contest the State Cross Country Championships at Lake Dewar, Myrniong.

Bacchus Marsh will be represented by the following athletes:

Under 9 – Joshua Askew, Angus Norman, Mitchell Tung and Anni Clarke.

Under 10 – Zeke Horne, Logan Simons, James White and Iyla Robinson

Under 11 – Dushan Baniluk and Myah Estlick

Under 12 – Patrick Lovett

Under 13 – Alexis Johnstone

Under 15 – Sam White

Under 16 – Elise Cook