Our Christmas run at Williamstown is one we always look forward to the most, for its friendliness and a great spirit amongst the runners and their families and this year proved to be no exception. Williamstown is a great setting for a run, tucked away quietly by the Bay from Melbourne’s mainstream, with its peaceful environs and assorted waterside cafes.
In spite of the challenging weather, a total of 563 runners finished the event this Sunday morning in conditions that were windy and on the cool side, with a stiff southerly breeze coming straight off the water.
The 5-kilometre loop course is in two sections – the first heads out along The Esplanade waterfront to a turn-around half-way along Battery Road, now newly-named Steve Bracks Boulevard in honour of one of our recent Premiers.
This section of the run is quite exposed and provides views across to the eastern side of the Bay. When runners return to the start/finish line they head out along a 1.5km western section of the course that loops around Gloucester Reserve and as it so happened on this morning’s run, with waves crashing against the sea wall the participants run across.
The 5km run was won convincingly in a time of 16:28 by Jason Dalton, who was in the overall lead for most of the race. In second place over a minute later was Nick Morrison-Story in 17:33, followed closely by Leigh Prendergast in 17:37.
In the women’s 5km race Belinda Keogh was first in 20:23, followed by Laura York in 20:43 and Casey Shannon in 22:17. Special mention should be given to Tim Byrne in the 60-69 age category who finished 15th overall in 20:35.
In the 10km race Solomon Haile Melekote was first in 35:06 who again was a clear winner. Second was Shane Draper in 36:40, followed by Rhys Newsome in 36:53. In the women’s race Margot Manning was first in 41:04, followed by Naomi Rands in 41:48 and Donna Urquhart in 43:40.
As a special footnote, 83 year-old Bill Page finished his racing year with yet another 10km age category win in under the hour – 59:56 to be exact!
We look forward to seeing you out on the roads and trails over the summer break and serving you in our races throughout 2013.
Great running to all . . . Sri Chinmoy Races Crew
