[Extract from the VRWC "Heel & Toe" Newsletter - with thanks]
Our VRWC winter season opened on Sunday at the Collingwood Harriers track in Clifton Hill with some 60 walkers in attendance. The Victorian Masters shared the morning with us as they challenged themselves in their annual 5000m State Championship. In the men's competition, Stuart Kollmorgen and Andrew Jamieson fought it out in front, the older Andrew eventually taking the overall honours against his younger rival, 23:09 to 23:15. Mark Donahoo is getting back into good shape as shown by his 24:49. Ralph Bennett dominated the M65 with his 26:22, finishing just behind young whippersnapper Clyde Riddoch with 26:12 and just ahead of Russ Dickenson with 26:34. There is plenty of talent amongst this group of Masters. The women's field was smaller but also displayed some quality walking. Kylie Irshad stormed to the front and won clearly with her 26:47 but she was coming back at the end and Pam Tindall perhaps had her in her sights with 27:17. Gayle McIntyre did a big PB with 28:39 as did Donna Elms with 32:14. Eaglehawk Club members Barbara Bryant and Heather Carr both easily won their divisions with 27:58 and 27:39 respectively while Margaret Beaumont walked a great time of 36:59 in winning the W70 division. VMA 5000m Championship Men 1 M35 Stuart Kollmorgen 23:15 1 M40 Bernie Keirl 28:45 1 M45 Mark Donahoo 24:49 1 M50 Ross Reid 25:30 2 M50 Clyde Riddoch 26:12 3 M50 Rudolf Skrucany 30:37 M50 Paul Kennedy DQ 1 M55 Frank Prowse 30:26 2 M55 Geoff Barrow 31:22 3 M55 Robin Wood 35:23 1 M60 Andrew Jamieson 23:09 2 M60 Russ Dickenson 26:34 3 M60 Alan Lucas 28:06 4 M60 Ron Bilston 33:16 1 M65 Ralph Bennett 26:22 2 M65 John Hallo 33:29 3 M65 Barry Wicks 34:57 M70 Ian Beaumont DQ M75 Col Silcock-Delaney DQ VMA 5000m Championship Women 1 W35 Kylie Irshad 26:47 1 W40 Gayle McIntyre 28:39 1 W45 Pam Tindall 27:17 2 W45 Donna Elms 32:14 1 W50 Barbara Bryant 27:58 2 W50 Janet Holmes 30:00 1 W55 Heather Carr 27:39 2 W55 Alison Thompson 28:27 W55 Liz Feldman DQ 1 W60 Gwen Steed 30:00 1 W70 Margaret Beaumont 36:59 2 W70 Pam Mews 54:28 After the dust had settled from the Masters events, our own VRWC club races started. Andrew Jamieson, Stuart Kollmorgen, Paul Kennedy and Rudolf Skrucany decided that one race was not enough and saddled up again. In fact, Rudolf did a PB in the Masters 5000m and was just outside his PB in the club 3000m, a very impressive result. And Megan Szirom had a final hitout before getting on the plane the next day to fly to China for the IAAF Grand Prix 20 km race next Friday. Good luck Megan!
For the complete article, read the VRWC Newsletter