Rd 8 XCR16: Anglesea Ekiden Relays

As the Olympic Opening ceremony got under way in Rio and the Australian Athletics team met in Florida on Saturday, 8 teams of MUAC athletes headed to the Great Ocean Road for the Anglesea Ekiden Relays.  They faced dirt roads, hills, trails and single track through bush and along the cliff tops over a variety of legs from 5 to 10km. MUAC’s 8 teams were packed with stars including prominent returns from Stella Radford after a stint in the US, Amy McCormick and Sarah James from injury. Pippa Trevalla led the way for MUAC, coming down the the beach to volunteer for us.

Martin Mashford led off the Premier Men over the longest leg, handing over to Pascoe Vale lothario Frankie Conway only a step from the lead. Conway, Charlie Park and Zac Newman built on the lead, all recording the fastest split for the Premier Division.  Paul Munro, freshly tapered after not running 98km the day before, tagged final runner, and MUAC Winter Manager, Max Ueda with a lead beyond two minutes, allowing him to celebrate as the team took the first relay win for the Premier Men in XCR history.

MUAC’s Premier Women, bolstered by the return of McCormick and Radford finished just outside the medals in 4th place, and currently sit just outside the top 3 on the Premiership ladder.

The honourable gentlemen of MUAC’s 50+ team collected their first state championship medal, winning silver behind a strong Ballarat team.  Team Captain Tim Thomas attributed the improvement to an increased focus on organic produce.  Captain Thomas did voice concerns about Tony Brain’s oversized novelty singlet that he raced in.

MUAC Division 2 Women, an all star line up of Botha, Horsfield, James and Parsons, fought well to get 8th place and continue to be in the hunt to remain in Division 2 in 2017.  The Division 4 women continued a strong second half of the season, taking 4th place. Division 2 Men claimed fourth place and will consolidate a top six spot on the ladder with two rounds remaining in the season. A hastily reshuffled Division 3 Men took a commendable 12th place.

Zacca Newman stepped up, literally, as captain to field questions from the waiting media, eager to know about the race. In mascot news Momo has put Hugo’s role as MUAC mascot under threat, gaining widespread plaudits from the MUAC tifosi.  A big thanks to TT for carting the marquee and accoutrements to the beach and for his extensive surveying of the course, extensive enough to cause erosion on some sections.

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