There’s gold out west
Lake Wendouree Road Race
Much like pioneering Americans in the nineteenth century, 26 Melbourne University Athletics Club runners struck west across the dusty plains of Victoria in search of gold. A full contingent of MUAC athletes piled into the bus, piloted by Grant Morgan, for Round 4 of XCR’12, the Lake Wendouree Road Race on Saturday, 9th of June. A brief stop in Bacchus Marsh for provisions and respite fortified the hardy MUAC pioneers as they forged west determined to find their fortune.
Rosie Donegan was the first to find Gold, winning the U20 5km in 17:22. MUAC’s haul of precious metal continued with Sophie Barker claiming the Open 15km race to retain her 2011 title and running a substantial personal best in the process (52:40).
The haul of precious metal continued in the teams category with the Division 1 Womens team of Sophie Barker, Sarah McSweeney, Julie McNamara and Sarah Emons winning silver and confirming their standing as a genuine premiership contender. The Division 2 Womens team, including White Train debutante Claire Boulange, strode into fourth place and will only get stronger as the season progresses. The Division 1 Mens team, lead by Mark Kirwan, took seventh place, one ahead of inner Northern rivals Collingwood, and are moving happily away from the dreaded relegation zone. The White Train’s Division 2 team took 8th place and finds itself in mid table four rounds into the season.
Refreshed and refuelled by a full afternoon tea, MUAC’s pioneers returned to the bus for a contented journey home, punctuated by the sound of a celebratory Haywards 5000 and suitably esoteric conversation.
The White Train will be racing again on Saturday, 23rd June at Brimbank Park for Round 5 of XCR’12.
Team Results
