ROCK, HILLS, HEAT:
Valley Athletes unbroken at Hanging Rock
The 43 DVAC athletes (17 Female, 26 Male) that journeyed to Hanging Rock for the opening round of Cross Country have succeeded in meeting all of the challenges to set up a season where individual and team success are possible.
While most runners who completed the 5km or 8km courses were thoroughly exhausted by the time they crossed the finish line there was a sense of satisfaction and reward with their achievements. They had been tested to the full by the winding trail course, the hills and the unseasonable warmth on the day.
DVAC DIVISION 2 TEAMS
Shania Murray and her brother, Caden led the Valley flagship teams in Division 2 home. Shania completed the 8km course in 31:24 to finish in 14th position from a field of 145. The DVAC Female Division 2 team was completed by Mikaela Gray, 34:02 (43rd), Debbie McKenzie, 43:26 (117th) and Kate Ryan, 44:31 (121st). The team was placed 5th out of 11 teams.
Caden Murray ran a strong back half of the course to pass a number of the field and he finished the 8km in 25:44 in 16th place from a field of 395. The DVAC Division 2 Men’s team was completed by Joel Imbriano, 29:09, Dylan Littlejohn, 29:13, Charles Jacobson, 31:17, Brody McCarthy, 33:38, Flynn Connolly, 33:43. Joel Imbriano had stepped up from the MU20 team to help out the Div 2 team (thanks, Joel). The Div 2 team placed 10th out of 14 teams.
VALLEY ATHLETES IN THE TOP TEN
Open & Overage (8km): Michelle King (F60+) 5th (51:03); Dylan Littlejohn (M40+) 6th (29:13); Kate Ryan (F45+) 5th (44:31); Debbie McKenzie (F55+) 9th (43:26)
Open & Overage Short Course (5km): Michael Martello (M Open) 2nd (19:15); Andrew McKenzie (M60+) 2nd (23:01); Karen Quinn (F60+) 4th (35:43); Martin Murray (M60+) 6th (25:20); Rob Wendel (M60+) 7th (25:55); Lyal Douglas (M60+) 8th (26:26); Jeff Young (M50+) 8th (29:51);
Junior (5km): Rose Jarvis (FU18) 5th (19:49); Grace Robinson (FU16) 7th (21:34); Myles Boyle (MU16) 7th (18:11); Jett Hollingsworth (MU14) 8th (19:10); Ethan Armstrong-Bourne (MU18) 9th (17:14)
TEAMS ARE SET UP FOR THE SEASON
Thanks to the efforts of the Valley athletes at Hanging Rock, DVAC has a total of 29 teams on the scoreboard for the season. Matilda L’Estrange and Ella Littlehales kicked the FU20 season off to a great start, placing 2nd at Hanging Rock. The girls in the FU18 secured 3rd & 7th place on the team ladder. Grace Robinson and Isabella Napolitano put the FU16 team into 7th place on the ladder.
DVAC is currently ranked 2nd on the season Short Course ladder in the M40+, & M50+, while the M60+ combination of Andrew McKenzie, Martin Murray and Rob Wendel have put their team on top of the ladder.
That is great work all round!
WELCOME TO THE VALLEY
It was so good to welcome four new faces to the DVAC line-up at Hanging Rock. Having their first run with the Valley were Holly Gregory (FU18), Isabella Napoletano (FU16), Zoey Ryan (FU16), Myles Boyle (MU16) and Oskar Jacobson (MU14). As well it was great to see Flynn Connolly back in the Valley colours. Welcome!
COMMENT SHEET:
Weather Report: No clouds, no Meatballs (Matilda L’Estrange)
The Course: ‘Haven’t conquered it yet.’
Complaints (1): ‘the downhills’, Zoey Ryan.
Complaints (2): ‘There’s only two cookies and a Lamington left’, Dylan Littlejohn. (Note: this was before the Women’s race!)
The Moment: ‘Jumping over the log’, Holly Gregory.
Overheard (1): ‘The kills are hilling me …’ Sarah Papadopoulos
Overheard (2): ‘The Boston Marathon is the best race in the world’ Andrew McKenzie.
Next Round at Myrniong: ‘Yeah, I’m going to try and run every race this season’, Joel Imbriano
THANKS: Big Thank You to David Armstrong for getting the Valley Tent to Hanging Rock & to all those who helped getting the Tent unpacked & packed back. (David is suffering from broken ribs since our Trials Day. Thanks too to those who brought along food for the Table. It was much appreciated. Thanks to Lyn Davis who timed each Valley athlete and was there to welcome them home.
MYRNIONG CROSS COUNTRY
Date: Saturday 24th May 2025
Entries Close: Wednesday 21st May 2025, 11:59 am (Midday)
REMINDER: All XCR & Max Package holders must enter each individual event via the AV Entry Portal.
*Please note, Overage Athletes should enter via the Open age group for both long and short course distances. Athletics Victoria will place Overage Athletes into appropriate age groups after entries close.
Location: St Anne’s Winery (Myrniong) 64 Garrards Ln, Myrniong VIC 3341
With the individual 12km returning to St Anne’s Winery in Myrniong for 2025, the course this year will start in the same location as 2024’s Ekiden Relay located below the Tasting & Function Rooms.
With sweeping landscapes and beautiful scenery, St Anne’s Myrniong promises to offer participants the opportunity for a challenging XCR round, followed by a well-deserved aperitif by enjoying the best of the venue’s local produce afterwards. Coffee, snacks, pizza – it’s all happening this weekend. And if you’re keen to grab a table post (or pre?!) race, contact St. Anne’s by calling +61 3 5368 7209.
Time
12:00 pm F U20, F OPEN SC, F 40+ SC, F 50+ SC, F 60+ SC, M U20, M U18, M OPEN SC, M 40+ SC, M 50+ SC, M 60+ SC 7km
12:45 pm F U18, F U16, F U14, M U16, M U14 4km
1:15 pm F OPEN, F 40+, F 50+, F 60+ 12km
2:25 pm M OPEN, M 40+, M 50+, M 60+ 12km
DVAC RESULTS AT HANGING ROCK
XCR’25 RD 1: CROSS COUNTRY AT HANGING ROCK
Woodend
Saturday 10 May 2025
DVAC Results:
DVAC FEMALE:
Female Open 8km
8km:
22
Female Open
8km: Shania Murray 31:24; Mikaela Gray 34:02; Debbie McKenzie 43:26; Kate Ryan 44:31; Michelle King 51:03;
Team Results:
F Open Division 2: 295 (4) 14, 43, 117, 121: 5th/11 Teams
Female 40+: 127 (3) 38, 41, 48: 11th/23 Teams
Female 50+: 51 (2) 22, 29: 8th/ 17 Teams
Female 60+: 5 (1) 5: 3rd/4 Teams
5km: Sarah Papadopoulos 32:24; Karen Quinn 35:43; Elyse Littlejohn 38:44;
Team Results:
F Open (SC): 75 (3) 21, 26, 28: 4th/20 Teams
Female 40+ (SC): 21 (1) 21: 15th/17 Teams
Female 50+ (SC): 16 (1) 16: 12th/ 14 Teams
Female 60+ (SC): 4 (1) 4: 3rd/3 Teams
Female 20
5km: Matilda L'Estrange 22:33; Ella Littlehales 28:10;
Team Results:
FU20: 20 (2) 8, 12: 2nd/10 Teams
Female 18
5km: Rose Jarvis 19:49; Georgia L'Estrange 23:07; Holly Gregory 26:08; Lucy Johns 26:23; Zoey Ryan 31:16;
Team Results:
FU18: 47 (3) 5, 19, 23: 3rd/15 Teams
FU18: 49 (2) 24, 25: 7th/15 Teams
Female 16
5km: Grace Robinson 21:34; Isabella Napoletano 23:25;
Team Results:
FU16: 20 (2) 7, 13: 5th/9 Teams
Male Open
8km: Caden Murray 25:44; Joel Imbriano 29:09; Dylan Littlejohn 29:13; Charles Jacobson 31:17; Brody McCarthy 33:38; Flynn Connolly 33:43; Craig Cassidy 34:05; Rory McPhillips 36:08; Aaron Bourne 43:11;
Team Results:
M Open Division 2: 889 (6) 16, 109, 112, 179, 235, 238: 10th/14 Teams
Male 40+: 105 (3) 10, 27, 68: 7th/62 Teams
Male 40+ (2): 222 (2) 88, 124: 49th/62 Teams
5km: Michael Martello 19:15; Andrew McKenzie 23:01; Martin Murray 25:20; Rob Wendel 25:55; Lyal Douglas 26:26; Jesse Littlehales 27:13; Jeff Young 29:51; Greg Luck 31:31;
Team Results:
M Open (SC): 32 (3) 2, 12, 18: 2nd/20 Teams
M Open (SC) (2): 62 (3) 19,20,23: 3rd/20 Teams
M Open (SC) (3): 64 (2) 31, 33: 12th/20 Teams
M 40+ (SC): 40 (3) 9,15,16: 2nd/17 Teams
M 40+ (SC) (2): 62 (3) 19,20,23: 3rd/17 Teams
M 40+ (SC) (3): 64 (2) 31,33: 12th/17 Teams
M 50+ (SC): 25 (3) 4,10,11: 2nd/15 Teams
M50+ (SC) (2): 56 (3) 12,21,23: 3rd/17 Teams
M60+ (SC): 15 (3) 2,6,7: 1st/11 Teams
M 60+ (SC) (2): 23 (2) 8,15: 4th/11 Teams
Male 20
5km: Rhodri Whelan 18:33; Jordan Rudd 21:46;
Team Results:
MU20: 35 (2) 17/18: 6th/10 Teams
Male 18
5km: Ethan Armstrong-Bourne 17:14; Brodie Batt 18:08; Jack Daley 20:22;
Team Results:
MU18: 60 (3) 9,17,34: 4th/20 Teams
Male 16
5km: Myles Boyle 18:11; Logan Armstrong-Bourne 19:51;
Team Results:
MU16: 25 (2) 7,18: 7th/13 Teams
Male 14
5km: Jett Hollingsworth 19:10; Oskar Jacobson 20:11;
Team Results:
MU14: 26 (2) 8,18: 8th/14 Teams
(Max Balchin)
