Ben Norman got home to win in a desperate finish to the DVAC 2009 John Allan Handicap.
In a Handicapper's dream finish, the two backmarkers of the field finished within three seconds of each other after a fast and furious finish to the race. Ben Norman managed to run the field down in a great display of hill running on the three lap course. Chris Lynch, who had a 1 minute 12 second jump on Norman went down fighting it out right to the line.
Third place-getter, was the 'stealth bomber', Robin Broberg who repeated his job on Gary Hammett from Ballarat. This time, our esteemed handicapper also collected the scalps of Rob Wendel and Rod Mothersole. The sight of the field crossing the line so close together was evidence that out handicapper knows the Valley athletes abilities very well.
Good to see Glen Hilling and Geza Benke out on the course, both cursing the last time up the long hill.
In the Junior race, Sarah Leeming finished ahead of Maria Benke.
Good to see former Valley folk, Ian and Kathy Upton out to see the race.
Thanks to Anthony Lynch for time-keeping.
Results| Name | Total Time | Finish Time | Lap 1 | Lap 2 | Lap 3 | Finish Time | Hcp |
| Ben Norman | 18:47 | 32:04:00 | 6:08 | 6:30 | 6:09 | 32:04 | 13:17 |
| Chris Lynch | 20:02 | 32:07:00 | 6:30 | 6:40 | 6:52 | 32:07 | 12:05 |
| Rob Wendel | 23:12 | 33:15:00 | 7:23 | 7:31 | 7:49 | 33:15 | 10:32 |
| Robin Broberg | 23:30 | 33:02:00 | 8:14 | 7:40 | 7:36 | 33:02 | 9:32 |
| Rod Mothersole | 23:40 | 33:12:00 | 8:07 | 7:42 | 7:51 | 33:12 | 9:32 |
| Gary Hammett | 24:04 | 33:36:00 | 8:07 | 7:42 | 7:51 | 33:36 | 9:32 |
| Geza Benke | 24:36 | 34:36:00 | 8:07 | 8:34 | 8:55 | 34:36 | 9:00 |
| Glen Hilling | 25:40 | 33:51:00 | 9:05 | 8:10 | 8:25 | 33:51 | 8:11 |
| Jared Hammett | ? | 8:58 | 2 laps |
| Name | Lap 1 | Lap 2 | Total Time |
| Sarah Leeming | 9:03 | 9:07 | 18:10 |
| Maria Benke | 9:16 | 10:08 | 19:24 |