Time to Enter!!

It’s time for all readers to log on to www.orangerunners.com.au enter for the Running Festival that takes place tomorrow morning from the grounds of Bloomfield Hospital. Alternatively entries will be taken today at the venue between 2-4pm and again Sunday morning 6.30am to 7am, please note no credit card facility is available. On offer is a half marathon commencing 7.30am, 10km at 7.45 with the 5km family walk/run starting at 8am. Care West Day Facility Programme will benefit from the event and Anson Street School is responsible for the BBQ and drinks at the venue. Such an event cannot go ahead without the generosity of both cash and prize sponsors, too many to thank but we must acknowledge the following: John Parsons Hotels, Electrolux, Orange Motor Group, The Athletes Foot, REX Airlines, Bridge Climb, Morse Group, Robin Hood Hotel, Midstate Financial Services, Orange City Council, Fitness Perfection, Manildra Flour Mills and Rhythm Personal Training.

$2,100 in prizes for the placegetters in the half marathon and 10km events, a fridge donated by Electrolux will be drawn from early bird entries, age category prizes and then a bumper barrel draw, remember you must be there to win a prize. The weather forecast is a sunny cool morning warming up to 21 degrees, just perfect. Please come and support us and the hard working committee that has organised the very popular event, meet Olympian Kate Smyth who once again is travelling from Melbourne to be with us and have a great day out. Kate is so approachable, just a nice person and great to have her with us once again.

We are exepecting the largest entry yet in the half marathon, already 129 have entered, in 2010 the field was 135. Over all it is expected that 700 will participate in all events.

Finally I must mention that for the 2nd year we welcome a group of 15 from the Achilles Running Club from Sydney. Many of the group have severe sight problems and with the assistance of a leader will participate in both the 5km and 10km events, I must thank president Ellis Janks for arranging the trip out west once again.

On to the running scene over the last week and a thank you to both Brian Penrose and Tom Gleeson who have written the newspaper reports over the past three months. Last Sunday the event was held at Kinross Forest, along with Bulgas Road certainly one of the hardest run we have on our calendar. The handicap winner on the day was Martin Davis who in 22m 33s was also the male winner of the 4.8km.

Always a story and this week Greg Delaney stole the show. Greg has recently returned to running after 3 years out in the cold, has shed many kg and back into it with vengeance. He did intend completing the 4.8km run but missed the turn, eventually reaching the turning point for the 9km event, one way back and that was to retrace his steps. Judy Tarleton advises that Greg never stopped on the hills that stood in front of him and completed the 9km in a very creditable 66 minutes. Looks like we will have a contender for the half marathon in 2012?

Also over the weekend Carrie and Mitch Williamson participated in the Lithgow Flash 5km event. Carrie came a terrific 2nd in the female race and Mitch a game 4th in the male category. Mitch advises that the runners that came up from Sydney were very strong, must have been when Mitch himself runs around 15 minutes for the 5km trip. Terrific results and once again our club members go far afield to support other events.

On Wednesday night at Elephant Park a bumper field of 94 turned up in perfect conditions. Great to see younster Emily Pell meet the judge in 1st place, the mighty midget took an astonishing 1m 31s off her personal best in a really fast 14m 02s, that’s moving. Not to be outdone on the night we had a large group of PB’s, namely Jack Daintith (10s), Anthony Daintith (21s), Liz Simpson (21s), Sally Kitto (12s), Jessie Dean (24s) and Lauren Kerwick (18s) in a time of 11m 56s showing she can both swim and run fast. There were a few new members turn up mainly thanks to visiting our table at the Expo on Sunday, many thanks to Trish Frost, Maree Moss and Jane Fairgrieve.

News from president Gary is that our AGM will be held on Friday 1 April 2011 at Anson Street School, the time will be advised at a later date. All positions will be on offer and also a time to discuss various matters that will no doubt arise on the night. Please keep the date in mind and we hope a large participation.

We are also looking for more names to enter the Orange Runners Club team for Relay For Life that takes place on 19/20 April at Waratah Sportsground in north Orange. It is easy to enter through the Relay For Life website Orange venue, drill down the teams until you come across our name.

Congratulations to the Orange Tri Club in taking out the Interclub series downing the highly fancied Mudgee club over the 5 events held in Mudgee, Dubbo, Cowra, Bathurst and home base Orange. Orange Runners also welcome a large number of the Tri Club members that have entered and will participate at the Running Festival on Sunday.

Just a reminder that Sunday runs will now commence at 10am, the autumn calendar will be available soon.

Results from Sunday:
2km: Female 1st Sue Dean 14.18, 2nd Frehiwot Ward 19.22, 3rd Besu Ward 20.19
2km: Male 1st Noah Whiteley 12.56, 2nd Logan Whiteley 17.15, 3rd Red Dog Ryan 17.36
4.8km: Female 1st Amber Rich 22.17, 2nd Krissy Ward 33.48, 3rd Llly Craig 37.00
4.8km: Male 1st Martin Davis 22.33, 2nd Gentleman Jim Rich 24.16, 3rd Steve Wensley 24.24
9km: Female 1st Karen Neal 44.32, =2nd Cassie Bland 48.39 and Penny Chandler 48.39
9km: Male 1st Tom Gleeson 34.35, 2nd Neil Williams 38.19, 3rd Peter Mueller 41.55