Orroral Valley Classic
Namadgi National Park ACT
Sunday 14 December
Veteran runners dominated today's Orroral Valley 20 km Classic in Namadgi National Park with M40 Curtis Bailey of Bruce taking victory in 1 hr 27 mins 39 secs from M45 George Mason of Conder in 1:29:50 and M40 Campbell high school teacher Simon Krantzcke of Evatt in 1:32:30. Bailey said it was his first win in a race and his decisive move came on a long downhill section nearing halfway when he took the lead. "This proved energy sapping in the long grassy-trail run down the valley but I was fortunate enough to hang on for the win", he said.
Other outstanding veteran males included M50 winner Colin Heywood who was 4th in 1:33:29; M55 Jim White in 1:40:24 and M65 Bernie Millet in 1:41:06. M80 Rad Leovic, recently returned from winning his age group in the World Veteran Triathlon Championships, completed the course in an inspiring 2:22:39.
Vanessa Haverd of Hackett, who finished 28th in the World Long Distance Mountain Running Championship last month, was fastest female in 1:31:59. Former world champion Emma Murray of Watson was second in 1:35:42 and Emma Adams of Yarralumla third in 1:42:52. The dominant veteran performer was W50 Cathy Crompton who was 4th outright in 1:43:46. Haverd said it was a good hit-out for her next run, the Bright Alpine Four Peaks early next month. Many other runners were focussing on next weekend's Brindabella Classic and using the Orroral race as an enjoyable Sunday hit out for Parks Week.
Kambah M55 runner John Kennedy won the 32 km run in 2:53:07 from Oceania M50 orienteering champion Geoff Lawford in 2:58:57 and ultra runner Victor Hessell in 3:49:53.