ATHLETES SPRING INTO ACTION AT WILLINDA CLASSIC
The role of the Willinda Classic in opening the calendar for the new athletics season is catching on. The 2026 edition of the DVAC event drew a total of 102 athletes (47 female/ 55 male) that was well up from the 79 athletes that supported the event in 2025. This year’s Willinda Classic offered a new mix of events including a 1000m Medley Relay that involved members of the sprint community, as well as a Mile race. There were two heats of the Leo Russell Sports 3000m, two heats of the 5000m and then a strong field that lined up for the PhysioLife 10,000m.
The 2026 edition of the Willinda Classic was certainly a success on all fronts. Led by Event Manager, Shania Murray, this year’s Willinda Classic welcomed new faces to the Greensborough track as well as giving local members a chance to leap into the opening event on the 2026/2027 Summer calendar. Shania’s thoughts after the event were: “The Willinda Classic was an absolute triumph! From start to finish, the track was buzzing with incredible energy and thrilling performances across every distance. The crowd was treated to a masterclass in competition, highlighted by two nail-biting mile finishes—a dramatic showdown for 1st and 2nd, matched by an equally fiercely contested battle for 3rd and 4th that had everyone on their feet. Beyond the fast times, the true heart of the event was the overwhelming spirit of camaraderie, with athletes and spectators cheering each other on and creating an unforgettably positive atmosphere.”
The race commentary provided by Tim Crosbie added to the professionalism of the event.
A total of 102 athletes participated in the five races with 55 males and 47 females.
ARMSTRONG-BOURNE WINS THE PhysioLife 10,000m
Following a strong 2026 Winter season, DVAC’s Ethan Armstrong-Bourne (DIV), 18, felt prepared to take on his first 10km track race on his home venue. The first few laps were an intense initiation to the 25 lap event with the pace dialled up to a sub 30min setting as Ethan locked into a battle for the lead with Kaleb Laker (GHY). Before the midway point was reached, Armstrong-Bourne found himself with a commanding lead over the rest of the field and he drew on every bit of his reserves to maintain a good pace for the remaining laps to run out a clear winner in 32:08.3. This time established a new DVAC club record for the M19 & M20 ager groups. Jonas Michelsson (COL), 15, was placed second in a time of 33:16.5, and David Armstrong (UNA) was third across the line in 35:02.2.
In the Women’s 10,000m race, Stella Radford (BOH) successfully defended her victory in the 2025 edition of the Willinda Classic 10,000m with a strong and even paced run that saw her cross in 36:03.3. In second place, Ebony Dodemaide (WES) finished in 38:41.5 while DVAC’s Sarah Leeming was third in 41:06.5.
Debbie McKenzie (DIV) established a new club record for the F50-54 with 49:32.8.
PhysioLife prizemoney for both Male & Female placegetters was awarded to 1st ($500), 2nd ($300) and 3rd ($100).
WILLINDA CLASSIC 5000m
Two 18 year old athletes had an engaging battle in the Willinda Classic 5000m before William Short(GHY) broke clear to cross in first place in 15:45.1 ahead of Declan Loeckx (DIV) who followed in at 15:59.1. In third place came DVAC’s Dylan Littlejohn in 16:48.8.
Poppy Scot-Dalgleish (DIV), 18, went out hard in the 5000m but still managed to come home in a personal best time of 17:29.4. This time sets a new DVAC club record for the Female U19 and U20 age groups as well as being a National qualifying time for the FU23. Erin Maloney (DIV) ran the second fastest 5000m when she won the B Heat in a time of 19:22.3. Rachel Patterson (IVA) crossed in 19:52.6 to be the third placed female in the Willinda Classic 5000m.
Steigen socks were awarded to both Male & Female placegetters.
LEO RUSSELL SPORTS 3000m
The 3000m races provided plenty of excitement with head to head battles and great times on the track. Leonardo Donarelli (IVA), 15, and Brodie Batt (DIV), 16, gave the assembled crowd their money’s worth as they turned on an outstanding showdown for over 6 laps, before Donarelli turned on his 800m jets to break clear and clock 8:51.4 for his first venture over the distance. Batt followed in at 8:55.0, lowering his previous best time from 8:59. Third placed in the MU18 was Myles Boyle in 9:21.8.
Heidi Kuppler (DIV), 13, gave a masterclass in distance running in the A Heat when she averaged 75 second laps to lower her own pb as well as DVAC club record (U14 to Open) from 9:35.38 to 9:27.3. The quality of this run is supported by the fact that the Victorian F14 record for 3000m is held by Sophie Hall at 9:22.96. Mia Gu (KNA) was placed second with a time of 10:24.7 and MadeleineAvarji (DIV) came third, clocking 10:24.7 on her first outing over 3000m on the track.
Leo Russell Sports prizemoney for both Male & Female U18 placegetters was awarded to 1st ($100), 2nd($75) and 3rd ($50).
Jordan Rudd (T13), 19, smashed his own DVAC club record with a time of 10:07.5. Jett Hollingsworth (DIV), 13, broke through the 10 minute mark for the first time, recording 9:56.2.
Michelle King set a new DVAC club record for the F60-64 with a time of 14:57.3.
MILE THRILLER
The Brisbane Lions obviously took inspiration from Glen Imbriano (DIV) win in the Willinda Classic Mile race when he fought off challenge after challenge in the final lap before prevailing in a pb time of 4:47.4. Second was Jonas Wilson (KNA) in 4:47.7. Or was it Asher Knuckey (DIV), 4:58.8, who bravely held of Zach Spero (ANW), 4:59.0 for third place. Placegetters for the women were: 1st – Laura Tomic (SCA) 5:29.2; 2nd – Kaitlin McIntosh (BOH) 5:37.7; & 3rd – Zoe Tieman (UNA) 5:57.0.
RELAY A HIT
The track at Willinda Park has rarely seen as much rivalry as with the 1000m Medley Relay. The first event on the Willinda Classic program, this event set the night up from the start. In the end it was Team Brennan who prevailed over Team Kenshole with Team Scholfield coming in third. But so much energy. And so much creativity. Thomas Short even fitted in a 600m time-trial with Matilda Johnson back him up with a slick 400m. Watch for this event next year!
1Team Elyssia(TELY)2:06.2hElyssia Kenshole, Jamie Ritchie, Katie Oliver, Josh Koegler
2Charlie's Angels(TTON)2:10.5hCharlie Grey, Zander Botha, Talise Botha, Liz Horn
3Team Jumpers(TJMP)2:11.9hLiv Nicholls, Toby Hamilton, Elliott Williams, James Hurley
4Team Aria-Rose(TARI)2:14.3hAria-Rose Cerqueira, Maddie Laws, Jacob Gyatt, Cooper Partridge
5Team Lyn(TLYN)2:26.4hThomas Short, Matilda Johnson
6Retro Runners + Rookie Racers(TTO2)2:27.1hJustin Botha, Sebastian Botha, Aylaa Arunan, Danidu Pinsara
7Team Lyn 2(TLN2)3:14.4h: Darren Rudd, Alexia Moxon, Zara Hollingsworth, Finlay Bowman
The winning Relay team – Team Elyssia – were each awarded Steigen socks.
THANK YOU:
The Willinda Classic could not have happened without the support of a large army of Helpers. These included the AV Officials, Coaches, lap-scorers, setting -up, packing-up, Canteen, First Aid, DVAC Committee & Sponsors. Special thanks go to Maryann Murray & Event Manager, Shania Murray.
2026 WILLINDA CLASSIC
Thursday 24 September 2026
Willinda Park
DVAC Results:
Female Open
3000m: Heidi Kuppler 9:27.3h; Jesse Mayne 10:19.4h; Fieke Van Der Kamp 10:24.7h; Madeleine Arvaji 10:35.9h; Isabella Napoletano 11:25.0h; Zoey Ryan 11:50.8h; Sanna Kersten 12:08.0h; Michelle King 14:57.3h; Jo Moxon 15:15.5h; Sarah Papadopoulos 15:42.2h; Elyse Littlejohn 17:59.5h;
5000m: Poppy Scot-Dalgleish 17:29.4h; Erin Maloney 19:22.3h; Alison Knuckey 20:54.6h; Kate Ryan 22:41.7h;
Male Open
3000m: Brodie Batt 8:55.0h; Myles Boyle 9:21.8h; Nicholas Tomkins 9:24.8h; Jett Hollingsworth 9:56.2h; Jordan Rudd 10:07.5h; Ross McDonald 11:42.6h; Adam Scott 12:11.4h;
5000m: Declan Loeckx 15:59.1h; Dylan Littlejohn 16:48.8h; Anthony Lynch 17:39.8h; Blake Barnes 19:28.6h; Jesse Littlehales SCR;
Mixed OP
10000m: Ethan Armstrong-Bourne 32:08.3h; Charles Jacobson 38:41.5h; Sarah Leeming 41:06.5h; Alana Barnes 43:05.9h; Lily Barnes 47:37.6h; Tayla Borg 49:04.4h; Debbie McKenzie 49:32.8h; Andrew McKenzie 49:33.3h; Tayla Borg 51:34.5h; William Quigley DNF;
1 Mile: Glen Imbriano 4:47.4h; Asher Knuckey 4:58.8h;
Note: For complete Race results, see Results Hub on the AV website.
WILLINDA CLASSIC PICS.pdf
