COAL, MOSSIES & MORE GRASS SEEDS

The muti-day event in Newcastle was run in near perfect weather. Brilliant blue skies, a sun with a little warmth and no sign of rain!


Sprint area



It was a taxing time for competitors with a sprint at Newcastle Uni in the morning, off to Cessnock for a mid distance event and a long distance event on Sunday. Whilst it was taxing on competitors it was very much more so on the organisers. I can say that they did a great job.

Well lets start at the very beginning with the sprint. Newcastle Uni is a sprawling megalopolis spread over a large area. There were ups and down along with complex buildings and a fair bit of bush. Mind you about 1/2 the elite competitors who ran early should have been disqualified for crossing through an area of olive green at the spectator control of all places. Sanity prevailed.

Uringa had a large number of competitors up for the weekend. Sophie Jones climbed the victory Dias in W10A ( she was consistent winning each event over the weekend).  Jared McKenna, Lawrence Jones, Dave McKenna, Brian Cleland, Mary Jane Mahony, Maureen Ogilvie secured 2nd place along with Ian Jones, Dave Lotty, Georgia Jones who scored a 3rd.



Middle Distance



The drive to Pelaw Main was punctuated by a stop at Kurri Kurri's best bakery for a double helping of steak & kidney pie. Yummmmmmmmm! Others feated on a vast range of tasty sweet breads and pastries. The arena was a delight with a grassy hill overlooked the competition area. there was plenty to see with 4 controls in view and competitors crossing the field of vision at least once during their run. This area was fairly flat and features tended to be smaller well except for the Derrek which stood about 10 metres in the air.



Again Sophie lead the way with another first. She was joined on the podium by sister Georgia with a first in W14A. Dave McKenna also shone along with Gayle Shepherd- these two took victories in their classes. Brian Cleland competing on a hard course for the very first time slotted home second - outstanding Brian!.Jared racked up another second placing. Mary Jane had a good run registering 3rd and Maureen was also amongst the medals finishing 3rd. Penny Field, returning to the bush for the first time for some time was very pleased with her 3rd placing.

It was off to a variety of accommodation for a well earned rest.



Long Distance



Sunday saw the crowds gather at Kitchener for the long day. Felt sorry for the elites with the girls doing 11.5kms  and the boys 17kms. Winning times were greater than planned.

Once more Sophie clocked up a win and Dad Ian was smiling all the way to the podium with a fine 1st place in M45A. Brian once more came home 2nd along with Georgia and Angela was also placed 2nd in W65A. Maureen remained consistent with another 3rd place.

If I may comment on the courses I think Steven Todkill really set out to make the courses interesting. looking at the shortest of the Hard courses it was great to see a long leg . The area had many many tracks but Steven set the leg in such a way that you couldn't just pick up one track, there was a lot of thinking tossed in.



So all in all it was a fantastic weekend, great camaraderie and Margaret's brownies were to dream of! Our next big occasion is the Metro League event at Oatley Park. following the event all Uringans are asked to bring along a picnic basket for a good old aussie get together!