Weekend Highlights May 1, 2018

The Great Train Race isn’t simply a race amongst the competitors – it’s an exciting challenge competing against the steam locomotive, Puffing Billy!

The race route extends 13.5 kilometers through the hills and fern gullies of the picturesque Dandenong Ranges from Belgrave to Emerald Lake Park. The continual popularity of this unique run makes the Great Train Race an event not to be missed.  Organised by Puffing Billy Railway volunteers, the Great Train Race is now in it’s 37th year.  The Great Train Race is an annual fundraiser for the Puffing Billy Preservation Society – 2018’s contribution will go towards the Menzies Creek Museum redevelopment project.

We had a couple of long course athletes take to this event, backing up from their impressive Challenge Melbourne results and shaking out (or building back up again) the last of the lactic acid on a beautiful Sunday morning.   Kudos to Sammy Woodland and Stephen Bond for getting the job done!  For Mr Bondy this marks his 25th Puffing Billy race, and this year finished 2nd in the 60-69 AG out of 89 males, and only by a mere 26 seconds!!!!

Interesting facts:

Founded by Sri Chinmoy in 1977 as a service to the running community and to promote self-transcendence through sports, the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team stages fun-runs, swims, triathlons and multi-sport events, and has become the largest sponsor of ultra-distance running in the world.  Athletes of all ages and abilities are welcome to participate in a friendly, supportive atmosphere, conducive to the achievement and transcendence of their personal goals.

Last Sunday, this event was held in Princes Park, Parkville.   The course was a 5km loop on hard packed gravel and asphalt around the perimeter of Princes Park and with an add-on loop under Royal Parade following the old inner circle railway down to the Zoo and return.  Four distances were available: 20km, 15km, 10km and 5km. Congratulations to Sheridan Brown who finished 3rd in the 20km event!!!!!  And as only she can, have a read of her hilarious race recap 🙂

“Third at the Sri Chinmoy 20km event this AM. Thought I was going quite well until the start of lap 3, when a pedestrian ran alongside me asking for directions. Instead of yelling out ‘I’m in a race, you idiot!’ and accelerating away, I dispensed directions (incorrectly I now realise) and carried on, now with the knowledge that I was doing shithouse running and was also bad at directions. But I got a medal, which they were literally announcing as I crossed the line, plus I got pancakes, so there’s plenty to be thankful for. #teamsfq #smashfestqueen #whichway “

This was the first mountain trail run in this series for 2018 and celebrated the 23rd Maroondah Dam trail run.  The mountain series consists of 3 races at the following locations: Maroondah Dam, Mt Macedon and You Yangs. Along with a finale event in Lorne on Victorias Surfcoast.

Michelle Grocock took to the hilly half on a beautiful Sunday Runday and seems to be happy with her result!

“Loved it! Maroondah Dam Half Mara. Mostly hills ?”

Our little pocket rocket cleaned up at her Surf Life Saving Awards night last week, following a season of hard work and dedication.  Her awards included:

Best & Fairest – Runner Up

Best Beach Athlete Award – Winner

Club Champion – Runner Up

Nichola also competed in the Victorian All Schools Cross Country Relay Championships over the weekend, finishing in 1st place as part of the Wesley College girls team!

With lots more races on her calendar already, we’re excited to watch this young lady give it her all and follow her journey.