Sri Chinmoy Sydney Series 2017, race 7: Iron Cove 14km, 7km & 4km Runs, Sunday 17 December 2017
The end of year is an occasion of mixed feelings: happy always, though tinged with a sense of sadness that something good is coming to a close. Of course every close is the doorway to a new opening and a fresh beginning, a realm of beckoning possibilities. The final race of the Sri Chinmoy Sydney Series for 2017 was staged at Iron Cove on Sunday 17 December, over the distances of 14 km (2 laps of The Bay Run), 7km (one lap) and an out-and-back 4km course.
A brief squall sent everyone under cover just as Registration was opening, though despite some ominous clouds complete with booming thunder, no rain fell during the races. A warm and humid morning though did make for generally slightly slower-than-usual times, making Mary Sheehan’s superb course record of 1:10:14 for the Female 60-69 category in the 14km all the more meritorious.
Christian Lotter came from The Shire to race in his first Sri Chinmoy event, and led strongly from the front of the 14km race to win in an excellent 49:22 from Gary Mullins’ 52:17 and Jesse Jayloy’s 52:23. Geoff Barnes was first Male 50-59 home in an impressive 55:38 from Masanori Chiba in 57:54; while Craig Saphin took out the Male 60-69 in 1:10:38 and Peter Allen the Male 70 and Over with 1:33:27.
The women’s 14km race saw a runaway win by over 5 minutes to the smiling Akiko Akashi in 1:03:06; from Vice Hazdovac in 1:08:21 and Catherine Ferguson in 1:09:13. Delia Kerr took out the Female 50-59 with 1:08:50, for 3rd outright in the race; while Mary Sheehan’s new course record in the Female 60-69 now stands at 1:10:14 and earned her an impressive 7th female overall!
The standout performance in the 7km race came from Bronwyn Hager, who placed 4th outright with her outstanding run of 26:22, from Imogen Briscoe’s 30:42 and Megan Hasick’s 30:56. Hollee James took out the Female 50-59 with 33:41; and Sylvia Nicholls the Female 60-69 in 36:47.
The 7km men’s race belonged to Mark Higgs, whose 25:26 was a convincing win from Sebastian Archer in 26:11 and Greg Churchill’s 27:29. Richard Sarkies again took out the Male 50-59 in 26:16 (a close 3rd outright); Brian Radburn the Male 60-69 with 31:26; and David Iverarch the Male 70 and Over with another impressive run of 33:27.
Kele Jeffrey, running in the Boys Under 13s, blew the field away to win the 4km race outright in 15:02. Next home was Boys Under 17 winner, Allen Chantharasonthi in 15:57; and Male 17 and Over winner Anson Man with 16:38. Alice Malcolm took out the Girls Under 13 with 19:26; Mia Rebello the Girls Under 17 in 22:30; and Nidhi Kumar the Female 17 and Over category with 20:42.
Our gratitude to all who have participated in, and all who have helped make the Sri Chinmoy Sydney Series for 2017 such an enjoyable experience. We eagerly look forward to the New Year 2018 and all the surprises, successes and achievement it has in store. See you then!