Pre-race favourite and primary school teacher Brett Gilligan had his work cut out in beating his former student 14 year old Will Noden and the wily old Richard Schultz in the final club run of the Bendigo Athletic Club’s regular season.

Schultz held a good lead with one kilometre to go in the Carl Barkmeyer Electrical 5000 metres handicap, however, Gilligan and Noden were in hot pursuit. Gilligan was chasing his first win with the club, whilst Noden was chasing his second win of the season. Gilligan hit the lead with a few hundred metres to go and held off Noden, to win in a time of 18.39 minutes, 5 seconds clear of Noden, with Schultz a further 12 seconds back in third place.

Fourth place overall was Phil Noden, recording the fastest time of 17.02 minutes for the 5Km course ahead of Jacob Nolan 17.17 and Daniel Ryan 17.38.

The Liz and Mark Findlay U23 Award was taken out by Will Noden earning the maximum points, followed closely by Jacob Nolan and Jesse Noden.

Brett Gilligan’s 1st place overall, made him this week’s top scorer in the Bridge Hotel Open Award ahead of Daniel Ryan and Luke Kneebone.

Ingrid Douglass recorded the fastest female time of 21.29 from Caitlyn Hocking 23.07 & Demi Goodall-Hoffman 24.16.

Richard Schultz got the top points in the Flack Advisory Veterans Award ahead of Phil Noden and Lyn Crome.

Taking out the Bendigo Original Pie Shop Ladies Award was Lyn Crome earning top points with Ingrid Douglass second & Caitlyn Hocking in third place.

Ava Bibby took out the Children’s 1km event in the closest finish of the season from Emma Gilligan & Sam Noden.

Matthew Noden recorded the fastest time of 3.46 minutes.

A Non-penalty 3200 metre race will be held this Sunday, 24th August at No.7 Reservoir, one week prior to the Dick Kitt Season Finale. There will still be a children’s 1km race at 10am, with the main race again starting at 10.30am.