Orange Runners Club - News.

Orange Runners dominated in Mudgee last weekend across a range of events. Tom Gleeson continued his successful winter winning the marathon in a stunning time of 2 hours and 51 minutes. Sure, a 4:04min per km pace over 42km sounds hard, but Tom came over the line all ease and effortlessness. You’d think he’d stepped out of a cab and tipped the driver with a wink. He was heard to say later that he’d gone out hard in the first 21 kilometres, then eased back for the second half because he wanted to enjoy his afternoon in Mudgee and not feel “too stuffed”.  No such luck for Neil Williams, who was enjoying brekkie in the car as the starters horn blew. Not one to let a five minute handicap hold him back, Neil hopped out and ran a 3:18 to place 5th overall. Dan Benton slipped in at 6th place also on 3:18, presumably held back by an empty belly and lack of toast crumbs down his race bib. Paul Eccleston brought home the group of four Orange marathoners, placing 24th with a time of 4:03.

Great results also in the Half Marathon, with Karen Neal placed as 4th female in 1:39, Jared Sullivan 6th male in 1:26 and Frank Ostini 11th at 1:30. Brian Sharp came home in 1:44 to win the 60-70 age category.

While the halvers and marathoners made their way around the figure 8 track on Sunday morning, the 5K and 10K runners did their run on Saturday, a tactical move which allowed them to eat ice cream after steak at the Orient Hotel restaurant while envious others looked on. And celebrate they might, with great results in the 5K to Mitch Williamson, who came in 1st at 16:34 (that’s a pace of 3:19 per km!), and Carrie Williamson stopping the clock at 24 minutes to take 3rd for the ladies. Connor Whiteley was widely believed to have been robbed blind to finish 2nd in the 11yrs category, his hometown counterpart taking the prize and ensuring Mudgee – Orange rivalry burns bright for another generation. Carol Donlan and Helen Roberts took out second in their respective age groups, and Edwina Sharp first in hers. It was somewhat lucky for the race commentator that Edwina’s husband Brian had his mind on the half-marathon.  Had he responded to charges that the Orange ladies, and his wife in particular, looked far too good for their alleged ages, and must have just stepped out of the beauty parlour, or else “had some work done”, who knows what he would have done.

The 10K saw Kyle Ostini bring home a 6th overall and 2nd age placing at 41:25, while Orange ladies Melissa Watson and Penny Chandler took 1st and 2nd line honours for the girls, both first in their age group. Lynda Chapman and Pam Fullgrabe picked up 2nds in their categories. Brian Penrose continued his week by week improvement, not only roughing it in his tent through a bitterly cold Mudgee night, but completing his first 10K in an hour and backing up to take about 400 photos of the event.

Last Sunday the local run was at Lake Canobolas with Nicole Williamson taking out the handicap. On Wednesday Jared Sullivan was the winner. Brian Penrose lopped another 31 seconds of his PB, taunting the handicapper with this bodacious display of sub-16 minute determination.

What a great time of year to be running! Coming up is the 35th Edgell Bathurst Jog on Sunday the 12th September with a 10:30am Start (Enter before the 9th of September to be in the Early Bird Prize Draw). Then it’s off to Forbes for their 7k run, 5k-walk event on Sunday the 17th October starting at 9:00am. The Sydney “Run4Fun” is held at Olympic Park on the 7th November, with early entry up to 7th September.

The first committee meeting for our 2011 Orange Running Festival will be held on Tuesday the 31st of August at The Robin Hood Hotel at 7:00pm. It has become a popular event and most of all raises a lot for local charities. Anyone wishing to help and be part of this great event please come along.

This Sunday is the Dubbo 10.4km / 5.2km Rotary Safari Fun Run and Zoo Walk starts at 10:00am. There is no local run.

Stewart Vidler