MUAC win in Premier Men and Kirwan takes silver at Wendouree
XCR14 Round 7:Lake Wendouree 15km
A silver medallist, a debutant and some strong returns to form featured as MUAC took it’s first team win in Athletics Victoria’s XCR Premier Division in two years and the first win for a mens team in more than a decade. On Saturday, August 16th Mark Kirwan lead the team to victory with an impressive 2nd place in 47:14, running a strong and tactically well considered race. Martin Mashford (7th, 47:50) and Nick Earl (11th, 48:59) were close behind with David Paroissien (19th, 50:12) rounding into form after a struggle with injuries. Debutant Ian Lawford comfortably slotted into MUAC’s top team, (27th, 50:59) and Paul Munro flew through the latter stages of the race to take the last spot in the team (42nd, 52:28). The win was achieved despite the withdrawal of reliable top performer for MUAC, Zac Newman, who stepped off to protect an injured calf. The win moves MUAC’s Premier Men into third on the XCR ladder, only one point behind Geelong in second. Much will be riding on the remaining two rounds of the series, the Burnley Half Marathon and the Tan Relays.
A close knit group of MUAC women took to the 15km Lake Wendouree course with gusto, taking 7th in the Premier Women’s division. The team of Ellen Schaef, Gen Blanch, Rachel Painter, Angeline Tache and Martine Botha ran strongly in the cold and windy conditions and MUAC maintains it’s position on the premiership ladder with two rounds remaining.
26 MUAC athletes raced, with the White Train on track to record it’s largest XCR season in participation terms.
A content and tired mob of MUAC athletes rounded off the day with a restorative lakeside afternoon tea followed by some celebratory beers on the bus ride home. MUAC will return to racing on Sunday, 7th of September at the Burnley Half Marathon
