Burnley Half Marathon

The penultimate round of the AV XCR series for 2010 saw the White Train steaming along the Burnley Half Marathon on the 5^th of September. According to famed local historian Timothy Thomas (F.L.H., O.M., F.O.T.K), the boulevard was built in the depression era by unemployed men who were required to work on such projects in order to obtain their food rations, or ‘sustenance.’



AV athletes warming up for the Burnley Half

And so the tradition continues to this day, with 20 White Trainers working their legs off over the 21.1 km distance before reconvening at the home of the Bryant-Smiths for some scrumptious sustenance and a welcome cup of coffee. Much thanks to the Bryant-Smiths for continuing to host the ravenous hordes each year.

The division one women came into the race looking to hold onto their fourth place on the table, and potentially put in a challenge for third. A first top-twenty finish for Kate Scarlett and a fine debut run for the club from Shula Webb along with the efforts of the ever-fit al Bryant-Smith should see the team hold onto their fourth place, with one round left. Julie Mcnamara, Sarah Castelino and Angeline Wehbe, who ran as an invitational athlete, rounded out the female runners.

Sitting just five points behind their rivals in their bid to achieve promotion to division one, the division two men needed other results to fall their way if they were to keep the dream alive. But alas, wheelbarrow troubles for some of the men and a bent crowbar meant that they had to be content with second place, meaning that a top two finish is now almost out of reach. The team, consisting of Nick Browne, Andy Selby-Smith, Zac Newman, Hamish Beaumont and David Ulbrick, did run strongly however, finishing in second place. The division three men – featuring ‘that AV guy’ Dave Paroissien, Matt Irons, Richard ‘Richo’ Dutton and Tim Thomas finished in likely third place (final team scores yet to be released) which, represents one of their better finishes for the season, and should put them in fourth place on the division three ladder. The division five men too performed strongly, with the team, consisting of debut half marathoners Leigh Goedecke, Chris ‘it was 1:29:59 on my watch’ Fraser and Chris Xu, along with evergreen mid-race horse whisperer Tony Brain, achieving a likely top four finish.

All eyes now turn to the Tan Relays. Get on board people, the White Train is on its way to the Botanical Gardens.