Melbourne University Athletics Club

Wild winds at Lake Wendouree

Round 7 XCR’17: Lake Wendouree Road Race

wendoree

The sight of the bus driver wrestling the wheel against the gale force winds on the Western Highway was fair warning of the challenges ahead for MUAC athletes in Ballarat for Round 7 of the XCR’17 series. Whitecaps drifted onto the path around Lake Wendouree as athletes leaned into the wind warming up. MUAC’s U20 Women continued their strong showing, with Ciara Boyd-Squires Long claiming the silver medal in 22:24 and leading the team to another win. The victory has clinched the XCR’17 Premiership for the group, but the team will not relent with three rounds remaining, looking for more medals and victories.

Steeled for 15km of racing, MUAC’s Open athletes quickly formed into packs to shelter from the savage winds. Nick Earl quickly found himself in a group of four with Liam Adams, Mitch Brown and Andy Buchanan, putting his foot down with a lap to go and holding on for another top three finish. Chris O’Neill and MUAC debutant Makda Haji were running well together with Haji cross the line first in a very respectable 49:29. Kudos to all the athletes who fought through the tough conditions to score points for the club. Fourth for our Premier Men sees Box Hill move further ahead in first, but MUAC return to second place. The Premier Women fell a couple of athletes short of scoring but will be back in force at Anglesea in two weeks time.

Tired and sore MUAC athletes piled back into the bus for some tasty pizzas from Forge and quiet refreshments on the way home.

MUAC athletes will be back in action at Anglesea in two weeks for the Anglesea Ekiden Relay.

Results

U20 Women, 1st, 13 points