Daryl Roweth – Runner of the Year
The beautiful blue skies and balmy sunny weather of last Sunday provided Orange Runners Club members with a perfect day for both running and celebrating. Over 30 runners made their way out to the base of Mt Canobolas to take on the gruelling climb to the summit in the annual “Daniel Middleton Trek to the Top”. This challenging event is well and truly cemented in the runners club program and with the choice of a milder yet longer trek through the bush to reach the top or the steep 6km stretch up the road, ORC members supported this event that not only results in a great workout for the fittest of runners but challenges everyone to keep going in life even when times get tough.
First to the summit in a speedy time of 29.05 was veteran event winner Tom Gleeson who commented that he enjoyed the climb both to the top and then back down again. While Tom was “enjoying” his run, the rest of us were grimacing and digging deep just to make it! Next to the top were two of our promising juniors, Connor Whiteley in 34.05 and Jack Daintith in 34.10. Both 12 year olds have now well and truly taken over their Dad’s, with Anthony Daintith and Aidan Whiteley finishing 5th and 6th respectively, just behind Pete Mueller. The first female to the top was Liz Simpson in 36.18 followed by Amber Rich and Estelle Dean. John Connolly’s effort cannot go unmentioned. John, who may not have the same speed in his legs as our place getters, finished the climb in an impressive 46.30 but then went one step further and managed to complete 50 pushups immediately after crossing the line!
After quickly returning home to shower and change, over 150 members then made their way out to the Country Club at Bloomfield for our annual Christmas Party. I think all would agree that the event was a major success, with great club morale, great food, great company and great weather enjoyed by all. As well as being a fantastic opportunity for us all to relax and enjoy a chat with each other in attire other than running gear, the Christmas Party is the time when the annual awards are announced and presented. This years “Runner of the Year” Award was presented to Daryl Roweth. Daryl was a very worthy recipient of this award and an inspiration to many of us. In addition to rarely missing a club run, Daryl has participated in a number of fun runs and half marathons held around the state. Most notably was his improvement in time over the half marathon distance which diminished from a time of 2 hours 2mins at the Orange Running Festival in March to a very modest 1 hour 38mins at the Mudgee Running Festival in August. Congratulations Daryl – you are a very worthy recipient of this prestigious award. Our “Junior Runner of the Year” award was presented to Connor Whiteley. Like Daryl, it is unusual for Connor to miss a club run unless he is participating in a competitive race in another town. Connor’s list of achievements were many but the two he is most proud of were the Sydney Run 4 Fun 10km event which he finished in a sizzling time of 39.35 and his 8th place at this year’s State PSSA Cross Country championships. Well done Connor.
Other awards went to:
- Emily Pell – Most improved
- Hugh Daintith – Most Consistent Junior
- Kim Jarvis and Tom Gleeson – Most Consistent Senior
- Kim Jarvis and Tom Gleeson – Most consistent Mid week runner
- Wayne Stewart – Most improved over 55
- Hugh Daintith – Presidents Award
- Glenys Rosser – Presidents Award
It was great to have the sun shining for this week’s Wednesday run at Elephant Park. 77 runners ran, jogged or walked around the 3km course with Graham Fahy as this week’s handicap winner. It must be the hills training he’s doing with great runs at both Bulgas Rd and the Mt Canoboals climb at Sunday’s Daniel Middleton Trek to the Top! Great running Graham and congratulations on a 14 second PB! PB’s were also recorded by Jack Daintith (1 sec), Lily Craig, (2 sec), Haley Butcherine (43 sec), Jesse Dean (51 sec) and Anthony Daintith (14 sec). The club was still in a festive mood and many members enjoyed a sausage, steak, or rissole sandwich and a post run chat after the run.
This Sunday’s run is at Kinross Forrest with a choice of a 2k, 4.8k or 9k course. Don’t forget that we start at 9am as we are now in Summer! Hope to see you there!