Well rounded club runner, Brett Gilligan has taken first place honours in this Sundays Bendigo Athletic Club 8km race out at Huntly.

Gilligan said an unsatisfactory race from a few weeks ago where he finished in 19th place has spurred the veteran runner to do better, with Gilligan achieving two 2nd’s and now a 1st since that day. 

Gilligan defeated the field of 27 runners in a time of 32:11 to win the Purtill’s Nursery sponsored event.

Starting off on a handicap of 16:00, Gilligan set off with co-marker Luke Matthews to chase down the 21 runners ahead of him.

Approaching the final stretch of the race Gilligan surpassed Ingrid Douglass to take the lead. With less than 1km to go, backmarkers Dan Ryan and Matt Sullivan made up ground and were hot on Gilligan’s heels. Gilligan used the last of his strength to hold off the rampaging backmarkers and secure victory in the 8km showdown.

Dan Ryan proceeded to come 2nd whilst Matt Sullivan finished in 3rd position.

Jacob Nolan ran fastest time in 27:54 with Ingrid Douglass running fastest time for the women in 35:11.

Next Sunday’s race on the 1st July, will be a 6.5km out at the Woodvale Recreation Reserve commencing at 10:30am.

Category Results:

Veterans: Brett Gilligan, Ingrid Douglass, Terry Crome.

Fastest: Jacob Nolan, Dan Ryan, Ben Goode.

Open: Dan Ryan, Matt Sullivan, Ben Goode.

Women: Ingrid Douglass, Mel Gilligan, Demi Goodall-Hoffman.

Under 23: Nick Edwards, Demi Goodall-Hoffman.