XCR14 Round 5: Sandown Road Relays

Predictions of rain, hail and arctic conditions didn’t deter a strong contingent of MUAC athletes from racing at Sandown Racecourse for the first road race of the XCR14 season. 8 MUAC teams took to the racetrack in teams of 3, 4, 5 or 6 runners for a 2 lap, 6.2km dash around the car racing track. Up against more than 300 teams from around Victoria, the White Train was up to the task and collected some impressive results.

The Premier Women’s team of Sophie Barker, Amanda Paulin, Ellen Schaef, Meg Stevenson and Sarah Emons were in medal contention all day, finishing just off the podium in 4th place. The MUAC Premier Men were led off strongly by the soon to be married Men’s Captain, Mark Kirwan who put the team in 3rd place after a very strong 18:24 leg. The team of Martin Mashford, David Paroissien, Zac Newman, Robert Baker and Paul Munro ran strongly to take 5th on the day and consolidate a strong position on the Premiership ladder.

MUAC’s Division 5 Women’s team of Virginia Grant, Rachel Painter and Ilka Barr stormed to a convincing victory by more than 5 minutes over their nearest rivals.

37 satisfied MUAC athletes then enjoyed some post race refreshments in the stands, before reconvening at the MUAC Club Rooms for an evening of trivia, pizza and beer, hosted by the inimitable Gen Blanch.

At the half way point of the season MUAC’s Premier teams are both just outside the top three, in fourth and fifth place.

MUAC athletes will be back in action in three weeks time at Round 6 of XCR14, the Albert Park 10km Road Race, on Sunday August 3

Results

Premier Women        4th        1:56:51
Div 3 Women            4th        1:44:40
Div 5 Women            1st        1:20:15

Premier Men            5th        1:58:09
Div 2 Men            7th        2:12:24
Div 3 Men            8th        1:56:46
Div 6 Men            4th        1:36.49
Div 7 Men            12th        1:51:09

Ladders