Premierships and promotion for White Train
Tan Relays
Melbourne University Athletics Club ended it’s XCR’11 season on a high on Saturday, 17th September at the Tan Relays, claiming two premierships (Division 2 and Division 7 men), taking 2nd place in Division 1 Women and securing promotion for all four men’s teams.
38 members of the White Train raced around the Tan in 9 relay teams, with Division 2 and Division 5 men winning their respective races.
MUAC’s Division 1 Women’s team of Rosie Donegan (fresh from 6th at the World Mountain Running Championships in Albania), Ilka Barr, Isabell Hartmann and Winter Manager Kate Scarlett took fourth place, and retained 2nd place on the premiership ladder. This is the highest that MUAC has ever placed in XCR’s elite Women’s Division 1 premiership competition. Rosie showed no signs of jet lag, recording the 4th fastest time of the day.
The Men’s Division 2 team of Adrian McGregor, Zac Newman, David Paroissien, Nic Browne, Grant Morgan and Max Williams continued their domination ofthe division, securing their ninth win of the season. Based on overall times, the team would have finished in the top half of the Division 1 race and will be out to make an impact next year in the premier division.
Chris Xu, Tim Thomas, Leigh Goedecke and Rich Dutton took Division 5 to 2nd place, meaning a 30 point premiership victory in the Division.
Thanks to Kevin, Maddy and Jules for filling MUAC’s volunteering spots.
Many thanks to Kate Scarlett, the Winter Manager for the White Train, without whom the team would be entirely lost.
Members of the White Train enjoyed a post race repast on the grassed banks of the Botanical Gardens followed by some light heart novelty racing at the Rawlinson Track at Melbourne University. The end of season celebrations culminated in a long, relaxed lunch on Gertrude St where XCR’12 plans were hatched, personal bests exaggerated and gossip traded.
