The 4th edition of the Sri Chinmoy “Cotter Canter” was staged in variable weather with some light rain and a cool, blustery wind straight from the Antarctic, reminding us that Winter in Canberra is just around the corner! Despite the cold, once the body started moving and the blood warmed a little, conditions for running were quite good with some fast times resulting in several new course records being set, including:
* 10km Female 60-69 – Jennifer Kellett, 58:59
* 10km Male 70 and Over – Terry Dixon, 59:12
* 5km Male Under 50 – Trent Dawson, 18:58
* 5km Male 60-69 – David Alder, 23:27
* 5km Male 70 and Over – Jim White, 30:50
* 2.15km Boys Under 17 – James Egan, 10:07
* 2.15km Male 17 and Over – Darryn Shannon, 10:52
First to start were the field of mostly kids in the “Short” 2.15km run along the paved Cotter Discovery Track, looping up to the foot of Cotter Dam and returning along both sides of the river. Almost half the field (15 out of 32 finishers) were in the Boys Under 13 age group.
James Egan not only took out the new Boys Under 17 course record with his 10:07, he also won the race outright, from Darryn Shannon (Male 17 and Over, 10:52) and Max Schumacher’s 11:07.
Max’s brother Zak Schumacher was just in his shadow to take out 1st place in the Boys Under 13 with 11:08, in front of 1st place Female 17 and Over, Nerida Spaccavento’s 11:09 (with son Alexander Spaccavento also recording 11:09 to take 2nd in the Boys Under 13). Winner of the Girls Under 13 was Ruby Matthews with 11:42, from Myra Shields’ 13:11.
The fastest run of the day saw Trent Dawson claim a new best outright time for the challenging 5km course, winning the race in fine style by over one minute in 18:58, from Ethan Garbutt (20:14) and Adam Tibballs (21:57). Mark Duncanson continued his winning form in the Male 50-59 with an outstanding 23:02; while David Adler (23:27) was not far behind to claim a remarkable victory in the Male 60-69 and new course record in the process. Jim White took out the Male 70 and Over and new course best time with 30:50 (note that because this race is part of a series, birth dates for the series are set at 31 December, hence runners sometimes appear in an age group “older” than their present age!)
Kim Cayzer (25:01) had a much tougher race on her hands in the women’s event, just edging out the sprightly Gabrielle Millan (25:06), from 3rd placed Kate McConchi (25:33). The great Carinna Tong took out the Female 50-59 with a solid run of 28:51; while Sue Brennan – complete with hiking poles – held out to claim the Female 60-69 Title in 1:02:25.
The most exciting finish came in the Men’s 10km, with an almost-3-way-sprint-finish between ultimate winner Jack Bigmore (38:49.0) just pipping runner-up Jonathan Fearn (38:49.6) and 3rd place-getter Dave Hardwicke (38:51.7), after 10km of giving it their all – up and over hills, trails, tracks and rivers. Steve Richardson was too good in the Male 50-59 category, winning with 46:09; while David Baussman took out the Male 60-69 in 55:09; and Terry Dixon bettered his own course record for the Male 70 and Over with his excellent 59:12.
Michelle Cooper meanwhile ran a superb solo run to take out the women’s race in 45:01, more than 2 minutes clear of 2nd placed Narelle Smyth in 47:33, and 3rd Michelle Goodale with 48:16. Paula Gaudry was the fastest among the Female 50-59 with a fine 51:36; while Jennifer Kellett struck a new best time for the Female 60-69 division with her outstanding 58:59.
The Series moves south to Pine Island on the Murrumbidgee River for race 2, the “Tuggeranong Trot” in a few short weeks. We look forward to everyone’s company for a further exploration of our fantastic trails!