MELBOURNE PACKERS, SWEATERS and online clients had a busy weekend of racing all over Australia and in Japan over the weekend.
At the Curl Curl ParkRun Mike Tozer came 2nd with a stunning PB of 16.44.
Frankie Piper continued on her PB spree at the Albert ParkRun with a superb 33.30.
Chelsea Bicentennial ParkRun saw a successful morning for the MELBOURNE PACKERS. Those smashing their PBs from this hard working running group in Melbourne were Will Gardner (20.12), Alexander Gibson (20.20), Michael Wintle (20.48), Kerrie Gibson (25.23) and Vernon Gibson (26.47). Others to run well were Edward Gibson (20.58) and Samuel Gibson (33.46).
The Warburton Running Festival saw online clients Simon and Bea Glendenning run blinders. Simon ran a 7 minute PB in the half marathon over a very hilly course coming 5th in 1.20. Bea claimed her first podium finish coming 3rd in her age group in the 10km.
The Resolution Run 14km saw online client Gav Godkin win outright in a very smart 52.30.
The half marathon at the Orange Running Festival doubled as Race 1 in the Western NSW Half Marathon Series. SWEATER Rob Lansdown showed he is a marathon legend in the making with a marvellous 4th place in 1.14.48. This is very quick on the challenging course which is hilly , half on dirt road and at close to 1000m elevation. Online clients Mick Donges (5th in 1.15.44) and Nathan Sutherland (9th in 1.20.37) also gave this race a very good shake.
Liz Pittaway stole the show with a breathtaking victory in the half marathon at Orange with a 1.23.11. What a strong lead up race to Nagoya in a coupe of weeks. Sonia Green (6th in 1.30.44), Naina Jareth (10th in 1.35.46) and Carol Adams (2.19.46) were amazing on the tough course as well.
The Carrum Coast Guard Fun Run saw 9 MELBOURNE PACKERS toe the line in a trail race along the Patterson River. In the 6km , Sean Williams finished 2nd in 21.10. The girls were incredible with Lucy McGarva coming 2nd in 26.33, Anna Moore 4th in 27.50 and Gayle Evangelista powering home in 44.07.
MELBOURNE PACK dominated the 12km race at Carrum with Dion Finocchiaro winning in a swift 40.39, just outside Clint Perrott’s course record. He was followed by rapidly improving Greg Watson who held on well for 2nd place in 43.52. Cindy King ran her best race in the last couple of years to be 3rd female in 51.37. Lynda Dickson (8th in 56.19) and Marlene Gourlay (10th in 58.45) also ran well to come in the top ten. Matilda Williams (aged 7) sprinted beautifully to finish 3rd in the 350m for kids.
In the Tokyo Marathon, Donna Richards gutsed it out with a sore hamstring to finish valiantly in a very respectable 3.37.