Sandown Road Relays

MUAC took a powerhouse squad of eight teams to Sandown Racecourse for Round 2 of XCR13, the Road Relays.  With more than 1050 athletes competing, the competition was fast and furious around the 3.1km car racing circuit with all competitors completing two laps. The northerly wind provided some warmth in the air, unusual for racing and Sandown, but a stern test as athletes pushed in the breeze as they worked up the hill.  The Division 1 women, Ruth Mills, 23:53, Alex Bull, 24:07, Sarah McSweeney, 23:29, Julie McNamara, 24:06, stood on the podium again with a strong third place.  The White Train’s Division 4 women’s team of Annie Carter, Jasmine Liu and Martine Botha also took third place, with the Div 2 Women claiming 6th place.

MUAC’s Division 1 Men’s team of Mark Kirwan, 18:52, Alex van de Meer, 21:11, Neil Sampson, 21:04, David Paroissien, 20:58, Frank Ciancio, 22:12, Hamish Beaumont, 21:58,continued their steady start to the season with 8th place in the premier division. The other men’s teams finished in 8th (Div 3), 7th (Div 6) and 17th (Div 7).

With only two weeks since the Jells Park Relays, MUAC athletes were working hard to better their time over the slightly longer, but less undulating Sandown course, or to minimise gains.  Five athletes, Kate Scarlett, Ruth Tony Brain, Paul Kennedy and Max Ueda clocked faster times at Sandown than Jells Park, with 18 MUAC athletes within 60s of their Jells Park run.

Medal presentations and a satisfying afternoon tea were quickly dispensed with as MUAC athletes discarded the running gear for formal attire and the Melbourne University Athletics Club Annual Dinner. Much merriment and frivolity was had by all.

Results