2019 De Castella Fun Run and Shepparton Marathon

A small expeditionary force of MUAC athletes and partners was in action this past weekend at the Shepparton Running Festival. Stationed in the regional outpost of Benalla, the MUAC crew arrived in Shepparton to crisp but still conditions on Sunday morning – perfect for running.

The undeniable main focus of the day was the final stage of Daniel Brundel’s ascent to ‘big boy’ status: a sub-3hr marathon. And, ably paced throughout by marathoning veteran Conor Renouf, the Dutchman did it! Dan was 8^thoverall, with a big pb of 2:55:12 – a solid effort on a course that had been measured with questionable accuracy, and a well-deserved reward for a very consistent year of training.

Sarah Lucas’s effort in the half marathon was equally impressive, just falling short of the 90-minute barrier in 1:30:31 and just 33 seconds from a podium finish. One gets the sense that a big performance at Burnley is on the cards for Sarah in two weeks’ time.

Special mention should go to Kate McClure, for not only running a PB in the half, but also for somehow missing a crucial turnoff and running an extra 5km as a result. They say the more miles the better, but perhaps not on race day Kate!

After the race, the gang repaired to a local establishment for platefuls of carbohydrates, coffee and several well-deserved ales: a weekend well spent.

A sunny Sunday saw several MUAC athletes take to the hilly streets of Kew for the 39^thDeCastella Run. They competed across 5km, 10km and 15km.

In the 5km, Chelsea Saw ran a blistering time of 18:12 to be the first woman across the line. Declan Falls showed he’s ready for some quick track times with a 17:28 on a hilly course to come fifth in the Men’s 5km event. This same event saw the much-anticipated Brain-family showdown. Showing that age is no barrier to speed, Tony took home the coveted family trophy, crossing the line ahead of his two sons in a quick 21:09 which was him come 2^ndin his category.

In the 10km, Ciara I-have-an-obnoxiously-long-last-name pulled a cheeky sub-40 ‘jog’ to be the 3^rdwoman across the line. Rumour has it that her injury was all an elaborate ruse and she’s secretly been in Falls Creek training. Nick Parkinson came 6^thoverall and 2^ndin his category in 38:07.

In the 15km, Daniel Brundel (dressed in the ablicious form of Matt Conolly) proved that big bois can be at two places at once by coming a speedy 8^thin 53:32. This was uploaded to Strava and entitled ‘tempo’ to let us lesser mortals know our place. In the same race, Brian O’Donoghue placed 27^thoverall and 5^thin the 40+ category by dipping under an hour with a net time of 59:47. Bryn Longeran proved his surname correct and long he ran (15km in fact) with a cruisy 1:09.31 to come 47^thin the 18-39 category.

For full results, see here.