Greg Hilson has taken out the Rising Sun Hotel 3200 Metres on a glorious sunny day at No. 7 Reservoir. Although this was a non penalty race where no aggregate points were on offer, there were many who put in strong performances trying to snare the prize money and that all important sash. However it was Hilson that put in the strongest showing, winning in convincing fashion with a time of 11.46 minutes, 13 seconds in front of a fast finishing Ben Goode, with Luke Kneebone a further 12 seconds behind.
After having a slower than expected start to the season due to ongoing injury concerns, Hilson has been making solid improvement throughout the course of the season. Back into regular and strong training of late meant that Hilson went into the race as one of the strong fancies, and he didn’t disappoint.
Fastest for the day was Jacob Nolan in 10.57 minutes with Jesse Noden and Adam Parker second fastest with 11.08 minutes apiece and Ben Goode close behind in 11.14 minutes.
For the women it was Ingrid Douglass running an impressive 13.29 minutes, just in front of Jessica O’Hara 13.39 minutes and Caitlyn Hocking 14.14 minutes.
Many of the athletes today were using this race as a good hit out for the climax of the Bendigo Athletic Club’s season, the Dick Kitt Memorial 6500 Metres sealed handicap final. The top 20 point scorers are eligible to compete in this contest, the points are awarded for ten of twelve Club races. Should more than 20 be on the same points, all runners on similar points are included. The Dick Kitt Final is a sealed handicap and provides extra points for placings 1st to 5th. The results of the Dick Kitt Final are added to Aggregate scores and the winner is announced on presentation night.
Athletes who qualified for this event are: Chook Stewart, Jess O'Hara, Paul Bennett, Peter LeBusque, Adam Parker, Ben Goode, Brett Gilligan, Mark Perdon, Ryan Shelton, Jesse Noden, Kyle Hilson, Ingrid Douglass, Demi Goodall-Hoffman, Rhonda Schultz, George Flack, Tim Dooley, Lyn Crome, Daniel Ryan, Rick Ermel, Phil Noden, and Austin Beamish.
Following the Dick Kitt Final next Sunday, there will be a presentation for the children’s season to be held at the Bendigo Athletic Club’s Clubrooms at the Tom Flood sports complex. All members, children and parents are encouraged to attend. Finger food and drinks will be provided for the event.
In today’s 1000 Metres Children’s race, it was Baxter Parker who picked up the win, and his second for the season, from the fast finishing Emma Gilligan. In what was a very close race, Emma looked the likely winner with 150 metres to go but young Baxter held on well to record a narrow 2 second victory and also recorded his fastest time of the season of 5.20 seconds. The ever consistent Ava Bibby ran another solid race to take out third position. Fastest of the kids today was Emma Gilligan in 3.57 minutes with Daniel Noden close behind in 4.06 minutes.
