MOVIN’ UP MURRAY:
DVAC AT THE CROSS COUNTRY RELAYS
DVAC distance runner, Caden Murray, made an impact with his strong run at the Athletics Victoria Cross Country Relays at Jells Park. Murray completed the two laps of a 3km circuit on the rolling hills of Jells Park in 18:20 to set a new benchmark as the fastest time recorded by a Diamond Valley athlete.
Averaging at a fraction over 3min/km pace, Caden said after the race, ‘I was happy to have such a good run and pleased that my splits were so even”. Caden finished his second lap, including the uphill finish with a 2:57km. The two three kilometre loops were completed at 8:53 and 9:10.
The 6km time for Murray had him listed as equal 7th on the Best Time list at Jells Park. On the first Winter AV event, a 5km Road Race at Albert Park which Murray completed in 14:23, he was listed as 26th on the Best Time list.
The Male Division 2 team was completed by Vincent Donnadieu, (19:49), Tim Logan (19:42), Joel Imbriano (21:26), Blake Barnes (20:46), and Anthony Lynch (22:11) with the team placing at 8th out of the 14 teams. The total time of 2:02:14 for the 36km gave the team an average pace of 3:22/km.
The DVAC Female Division 2 team finished in 4th place at Jells Park to put the team in a strong position after two rounds of the XCR26 season. In an even team it was Shania Murray that led the times with 24:44. Mikaela Gray, 24:52, Jesse Mayne, 24:53 & Erin Maloney, 25:52, kept the pace going for the whole 24km that was covered in 1:41:13.
DVAC teams in Division 2 and Division 5 both finished in a creditable third place in their group.
The Valley M20 team of Ethan Armstrong-Bourne (20:24), Thomas Short (21:11) & Rhodri Whelan (20:49) got to celebrate with a Bronze medal each after finishing the 18km in 1:02:24.
The DVAC M16 team of Myles Boyle (9:58), Samuel Reeve (10:28) and Jett Hollingsworth (10:51) finished 19 seconds off a Bronze medal position.
The M40 team of Dylan Littlejohn (21:26), Charles Jacobson (23:00) and Rory McPhillips (25:24) did receive a Bronze medal in the Division.
Other Valley runners to medal were Maryann Murray, in the FOpen (Short Course) events (Silver) & Jeff Young & Lyal Douglas (Bronze) in the M60 Short Course event.
Special mention must be made of Sofia Norwood (32:15) & Lucy Johns (32:59) who stepped up from Junior ranks to run the 6km distance to complete a senior team. Both handled their longest run with success.
A total of 47 DVAC athletes (20 F, 27M) competed in the Cross Country Relays. The Valley Tent was a hive of happy athletes & supporters for the whole day. Thanks to the number of contributors to the Valley food contributions. It was greatly appreciated.
DVAC CLUB HELPERS AT JELLS PARK
Lyn Davis & Keith King shared the Siberian experience on Marshall Point 9 while Kate Ryan & Michelle King handled the pressure cooker experience of Spotting and Recording at the F20 Changeover. All reported on their experience with positivity. Once again DVAC has filled its Duty allocation with distinction.
Thanks to David Armstrong for having the DVAC tent in pride of place & ready for the early crew. Thanks to the willing band of helpers that packed the tent away in the Valley Trailer.
Paul Schofield & David Armstrong worked the meet as AV Officials.
STILL NEED TO PAY YOUR $23.50 FOR THE RELAYS?
Pay into the DVAC Bank Account:
BSB 633000
ACC 136413481
XCR26 Round 2
CROSS COUNTRY RELAYS
Jells Park
Saturday 16 May 2026
DVAC Results:
Female Open
Division 2: 4x6km: (Jesse Mayne: 24:53, Mikaela Gray: 24:52, Erin Maloney: 26:44, Shania Murray: 24:44) Total: 1:41:13; Place 4th/11 teams (8 Ladder Points)
Division 4: 3x6km: (Matilda L'Estrange: 25:13, Alana Barnes: 27:28, Sarah Leeming: 26:50) Total: 1:19:31; Place 3rd/6 teams (13 Ladder Points)
Division 5 (1): 3x6km:(Tayla Borg: 28:18, Sofia Norwood: 32:10, Lucy Johns: 32:59) Total: 1:33:27;Place 3rd/10 teams (9 Ladder Points)
Division 5 (2): 3x6km: (Sarah Papadopoulos: 39:04, Jo Moxon: 34:11, Elyse Littlejohn: 43:31 Total: 1:56:46; Place 8th/15 teams (4 Ladder Points)
Short Course Relay: 3x3km: (Maryann Murray: 20:29) Total: 20:29; Place 2nd/2 teams: (9 Ladder Points)
Female 20
3x3km: (Georgia L'Estrange: 13:14, Poppy Scot-Dalgleish: 11:04, Heidi Kuppler: 10:56) Total: 35:14; Place 4th/9 Teams (7 Ladder Points)
Female 18
3x3km: (Rose Jarvis: 11:16, Zoey Ryan: 12:42, Isabella Napoletano: 11:54) Total 35:52; Place 7th/12 Teams (4 Ladder Points)
Male Open
Division 2: 6x6km: (Caden Murray: 18:20, Vincent Donnadieu: 19:49, Tim Logan: 19:42, Joel Imbriano: 21:26, Blake Barnes: 20:46, Anthony Lynch: 22:11) Total 2:02:14; Place 8th/14 Teams (7 Ladder Points)
Division 4: 5x6km: (James Telford: 22:56, Jarryd Cripps: 22:26, Jordan Rudd: 24:20, Jamie Hollingsworth: 25:58, Martin Murray: 28:22) Total 2:04:02; Place 8th/12 Teams (6 Ladder Points)
Male 20
3x6km: (Ethan Armstrong-Bourne: 20:24, Thomas Short: 21:11, Rhodri Whelan: 20:49) Total 1:02:24; Place 3rd/6 Teams (8 Ladder Points)
Male 18
3x3km: (Jack Daley: 10:49, Oskar Jacobson: 10:49) Total 21:38; Place 12th/13 Teams (0 Ladder Points)
Male 16
3x3km: (Myles Boyle: 09:58, Jett Hollingsworth: 10:51, Samuel Reeve: 10:28) Total 31:17; Place 4th/16 Teams (7 Ladder Points)
Male 40
3x6km: (Charles Jacobson: 23:00, Dylan Littlejohn: 21:26, Rory McPhillips: 25:24) Total 1:09:50; Place 3rd/6 Teams (8 Ladder Points)
Male 50
3x6km: (Scott Barnes: 25:29, Damien Clifford: 29:37, Ross McDonald: 24:15) Total 1:19:21; Place 6th/8 Teams (5 Ladder Points)
Male 60
3x3km: (Lyal Douglas: 14:09, Jeff Young: 14:28) Total 28:37; Place 2nd/2 Teams (Ladder Points 9)
(Results compiled by Max Balchin)
JELLS CC RELAY PICS 2026 (3).pdf
