XCR’26 RD 8: VALLEY’ S BIG DAY OUT AT BALLARAT

The 39 Valley athletes (18 Female & 21 Male) who ran over the Half Marathon or 6km courses at Lake Wendouree on Sunday 9^th August 2026 brought a touch of sunshine to the cold & wintery weather with their collective results. The highlights included season best team results, two individual medals and a number of breakthrough performances. It was a day of outstanding achievements all round.

The Valley female team results were the best for the season. The DVAC female team in Division 2 finished in second place for the Half Marathon. Poppy Scot-Dalgleish stepped up from the U20’s to run the 21.1km, a challenge she took on with enthusiasm and exceptional talent, to lead the team home with a time of 1:19:51. This placed Poppy in 8^th position in a field of 108. Mikaela Gray, 1:30:44, and Shania Murray, 1:32:50 completed the team.

The depth of talent in distance running at DVAC was evident when the club came first in Division 4 (Sarah Leeming, 1:33:50; Alana Barnes, 1:34:55 (pb); Alison Knuckey, 1:37:47) and third in Division 5 (Kate Ryan,1:46:45 (pb); Jo Moxon, 2:11:23). The Division 4 team is now one point off 2^nd place on the season ladder with two rounds remaining.

Caden Murray led the Valley men home in the Half Marathon when he crossed in 13^th place in a field of 318 with a personal best time of 1:07:42. The Division 2 team that finished in 5^th place out of the 14 teams was completed by Tim Logan (1:10:20; Lachlan Deller, 1:13:57 (pb); Vincent Donnadieu, and 1:14:36; Dylan Littlejohn, 1:19:12).

Like the Valley female teams, the DVAC men batted deep in the Half Marathon with the Division 4 team (Charles Jacobson, 1:22:03; James Telford, 1:22:21; Craig Cassidy, 1:24:02; & Blake Barnes, 1:35:11) finishing in 2^nd place out of the 14 teams. In Division 7, the DVAC team (Scott Barnes, 1:35:11 & Rory McPhillips, 1:41:09) finished third out of 10 teams. Highest placing for a Valley Overage team was achieved by the Male 40+ team of Dylan Littlejohn, Charles Jacobson and Craig Cassidy who placed third from a list of 46 teams.

DVAC has a strong grip on the Female Open Short Course premiership with a lead of 20 points on their nearest rival and just one round remaining. At Ballarat the team of Jesse Mayne (1^st), Michelle King (20^th) and Sarah Papadopoulos (24^th) placed third. The win by Jesse Mayne gives her a 2 point lead on the season championship with only one round individual race remaining before the Tan Relays.

The Valley F18 team is another team to have a commanding lead on the season premiership. Two rounds remaining and the team of 5 athletes have an eleven point lead. At Ballarat the team won the top points for the race around the Lake (6km) led by Rose Jarvis (21:46), Matilda Johnson (22:21) and Madeleine Arvaji (23:02). Isabella Napoletano (23:39) and Zoey Ryan (26:03) formed a team that placed third out of the 10 teams. Rose Jarvis was presented with a medal for her third placing in the F18 race.

In the M20 division the DVAC team has a narrow lead of 4 points on the season ladder and there is 7.8km of racing to go. There’s a 4km Road Race at Burnley on Sunday 6^th September and a 3.8km lap of the Tan at the Tan Relays on Saturday 12^th September. At Ballarat, Rhodri Whelan (20:39) and Glen Imbriano (21:51) helped the teams’ chances by picking up a valuable 3 point break on their nearest rival.

Brodie Batt (M18) completed the 6km in 19:06 to place 5^th in the M18 race but was only 16 seconds off the time recorded by the winner, such was the tight racing in the division. Asher Knuckey (20:39) and Jack Daley (21:59) completed the team that placed 2^nd out of the ten teams in M18. The points won will move the Valley team into second place on the season ladder.

Jett Hollingsworth (M14) had his best race of the season at Ballarat, lapping the 6km Lake in 21:10 to take the Silver medal.

Two locals that joined the 21.1km run were Ben McKenzie (1:34:57) and Lorinda McPherson (1:48:45).

If there was a hero on the day it was our own David Armstrong. To have the Valley Tent (complete with walls) on such a day was invaluable. I’m sure it was the competitive edge that propelled the Valley to such a successful day. Timekeepers on the day were Lyn Davis & Max Balchin. Thanks to all the food donations – that was a fantastic spread of ‘rewards’ for the runners.

TWO TO GO:

XCR’26 RD 9

Date: Sunday 6th September 2026

Entries Close: 11:59am (Midday), Wednesday 2nd September 2026

Location: Kevin Bartlett Reserve, Burnley, VIC 3121

A level course along the banks of the Yarra River, the Burnley 4km and 15km is the perfect opportunity to challenge yourself and aim for a personal best or tune-up for a big spring and summer of fitness.

Draft Timetable

XCR’26 RD 10

XCR’26 Round 10 – Tan: Relays

September 12 @ 9:00 am-4:00 pm

Date:Saturday 12th September, 2026

TeamEntries Close:11:59am (Midday), Monday 7th September 2026

(* Note: The club will enter the teams for DVAC. Contact Max on 0409 350 280 if you wish to run the Tan Relays this year. Each athlete who runs will be charged $23.50 to cover the cost of Team entry.)

Athlete Memberships for Eligibility Close:11:59am (Midday), Wednesday 9th September 2026

Location:Tan Track, Melbourne, VIC 3000

The XCR’26 season culminates back at the home of racing in Melbourne, The Tan. Athletes will complete one lap of the 3.8km circuit in the hope of bringing the XCR’26 premiership to their club.

DVAC SOUP NIGHT – TUESDAY 18^TH AUGUST 2026

Come along to the Willinda Park Function Room from 6:30pm on Tuesday 18^th August 2026 to celebrate a wonderful Winter season & the coming Track season. Join the Valley crowd and let’s send the seven DVAC athletes to the 2026 Australian Cross Country Championships at Ballarat on Saturday 22 August – Poppy Scot-Dalgleish, Rose Jarvis, Matilda Johnson, Heidi Kuppler, William Quigley, Caden Murray & Jordan Rudd.

WANTED: SOUP makers: contact Lyn Davis or Maryann Murray if you are able to provide a pot of soup on the night.

XCR’26 RD 8: Half Marathon/ 6km ROAD RACES

LAKE WENDOUREE, BALLARAT

Sunday 8^th August2026

DVAC Results:

FEMALE:

Open Female:

21.1km: Poppy Scot-Dalgleish 1:19:51; Mikaela Gray 1:30:44; Shania Murray 1:32:50; Sarah Leeming 1:33:50; Alana Barnes 1:34:55; Alison Knuckey 1:37:47; Kate Ryan 1:46:45; Jo Moxon 2:11:23;

Team Results (21.1km):

Female Open Division 2:88(3)8, 37, 43: 2^nd/11 Teams: Ladder Pts: 10

Female Open Division 4:150(3)45, 47, 59: 1^st/7 Teams: Ladder Pts: 13

Female Open Division 5:182(2)86, 96: 3^rd/4 Teams: Ladder Pts: 9

Female 40+:35(2)14, 21: 7^th/11 Teams: Ladder Pts: 4

Female 50+:26(2)10, 16: 5^th/10 Teams: Ladder Pts: 6

Female 60+:7(1)7: 7^th/7 Teams: Ladder Pts: 4

Female Short Course: 6km

6km: Jesse Mayne 22:24; Michelle King 32:51; Sarah Papadopoulos 34:40; Maryann Murray 38:23; Elyse Littlejohn 38:32;
Team Results (6km):

Female Open (SC):45(3)1, 20, 24: 3^rd/15 Teams: Ladder Pts: 8

Female Open (SC):59(2)29, 30: 10^th/15 Teams: Ladder Pts: 1

Female 40+ (SC):35(2)14, 21: 7^th/11 Teams: Ladder Pts: 4

Female 50+ (SC):26(2)10, 16: 5^th/10 Teams: Ladder Pts: 6

Female 60+ (SC):7(1)7: 7^th/7 Teams: Ladder Pts: 4

Female 18
6km: Rose Jarvis 21:46; Matilda Johnson 22:21; Madeleine Arvaji 23:02; Isabella Napoletano 23:39; Zoey Ryan 26:03;

F18 Team (1) Result:17(3)3, 5, 9: 1^st/10 Teams: Ladder Pts: 11

F18 Team (2) Result:23(2)11, 12: 3^rd/10 Teams: Ladder Pts: 8

Male Open
21.1km: Caden Murray 1:07:42; Tim Logan 1:10:20; Lachlan Deller 1:13:57; Vincent Donnadieu 1:14:36; Dylan Littlejohn 1:19:12; Charles Jacobson 1:22:03; James Telford 1:22:21; Craig Cassidy 1:24:02; Blake Barnes 1:35:11; Scott Barnes 1:35:11; Rory McPhillips 1:41:09;

Male Open (21.1km) Team Results:

Male Open: Division 2: 313(5)13, 28, 72, 80, 120: 5^th/14 Teams: Ladder Pts: 11

Male Open: Division 4:683(4)146, 147, 162, 228: 2^nd/11 Teams: Ladder Pts: 12

Male Open: Division 7:472(2)229, 243: 3^rd/10 Teams: Ladder Pts: 8

Male 40+ (1) (21.1km):70(3)15, 25, 30: 3^rd/46 Teams: Ladder Pts: 8

Male 40+ (2) (21.1km):143(2)66, 77: 35^th/46 Teams: Ladder Pts: -

Male 50+ (21.1km):33(2)7, 26: 12^th/29 Teams: Ladder Pts: -

Male Short Course: 6km:

6km: Jordan Rudd 21:45; Lyal Douglas 28:21; Jeff Young 29:47; Martin Murray 39:17;

Team Results: 6km

Male Open (1) (SC):41(3)2, 16, 23: 3^rd/22 Teams: Ladder Pts: 8

Male Open (2) (SC):37(1)37: 22^nd/22 Teams: Ladder Pts: -

Male 40+ (SC):59(3)11, 17, 31: 4^th/19 Teams: Ladder Pts: 7

Male 50+ (SC):52(3)9, 15, 28: 4^th/18 Teams: Ladder Pts: 7

Male 60+ (SC):28(3)3, 8, 17: 2^nd/11 Teams: Ladder Pts: 9

Male 20
6km: Rhodri Whelan 20:39; Glen Imbriano 21:51;

Team Result:14(2)5, 9: 2^nd/9 Teams: Ladder Pts: 9

Male 18
6km: Brodie Batt 19:06; Asher Knuckey 20:39; Jack Daley 21:59;

Team Result:31(3)5, 12, 14: 2^nd/10 Teams: Ladder Pts: 9

Male 14
6km: Jett Hollingsworth 21:10;

Team Result:2(1)2: 4^th/5 Teams: Ladder Pts: 7

XCR’26 RD 8: Half Marathon/ 6km ROAD RACES

LAKE WENDOUREE, BALLARAT

Sunday 8^th August2026

DVAC Results:

Female Open
21.1km: Poppy Scot-Dalgleish 1:19:51; Mikaela Gray 1:30:44; Shania Murray 1:32:50; Sarah Leeming 1:33:50; Alana Barnes 1:34:55; Alison Knuckey 1:37:47; Kate Ryan 1:46:45; Jo Moxon 2:11:23;
6km: Jesse Mayne 22:24; Michelle King 32:51; Sarah Papadopoulos 34:40; Maryann Murray 38:23; Elyse Littlejohn 38:32;
Female 18
6km: Rose Jarvis 21:46; Matilda Johnson 22:21; Madeleine Arvaji 23:02; Isabella Napoletano 23:39; Zoey Ryan 26:03;
Male Open
21.1km: Caden Murray 1:07:42; Tim Logan 1:10:20; Lachlan Deller 1:13:57; Vincent Donnadieu 1:14:36; Dylan Littlejohn 1:19:12; Charles Jacobson 1:22:03; James Telford 1:22:21; Craig Cassidy 1:24:02; Blake Barnes 1:35:11; Scott Barnes 1:35:11; Rory McPhillips 1:41:09;
6km: Jordan Rudd 21:45; Lyal Douglas 28:21; Jeff Young 29:47; Martin Murray 39:17;
Male 20
6km: Rhodri Whelan 20:39; Glen Imbriano 21:51;
Male 18
6km: Brodie Batt 19:06; Asher Knuckey 20:39; Jack Daley 21:59;
Male 14
6km: Jett Hollingsworth 21:10;