Hundreds run in perfect weather

The annual Geoff Watt memorial fun run was held at the Geoff Watt athletics track, Warragul on October 25.

Hundreds of people gathered for the various stages of the event ranging from the half marathon to the 2.5 kilometre fun run.

The half marathon section of the event has been run for many years in memory of Warragul runner Geoff Watt who died while on a training run at Mt Erica in 1969.

In recent years 10 kilometre, five kilometre and 2.5 kilometre sections have been added.

The event is run by Geoff’s daughter Kathy who was forging a career in running when she suffered a knee injury. In her recuperation she took up cycling and found her niche later going on to win the Olympic gold medal in the road race in 1992.

On Sunday she was joined by former British middle distance runner Steve Ovett and former Australian 10,000 metre runner Carolyn Schuwalow to mix with the runners and make the presentations.

Winner of the men’s half marathon was Peter Cutler with Brett Franklin second and Dan Langelaan third.

Winner of the women’s half marathon was Trish Yates with Emily Barkley second and Susan Elsdon third.

Warragul Lions Club members provided a sausage sizzle for the hungry runners at the end of the various courses. Results: Geoff Watt Memorial half marathon men’s Peter Cutler 1hr18m30, Brett Franklin, 2, 1hr20m04 Dan Langelaan, 3 1hr21m26. Half marathon men’s under 18 Lachlan Jacob, 1 1hr28m33, Oliver Adams 2, 1hr42m25 half marathon over 40 Jason Hilder, 1, 1hr25m09, Gary Nooy 2, 1hr27m07 Paul Rowse, 3, 1hr31m51

Half marathon women’s Trish Yates, 1 1hr43m15 Emily Barkley 1hr 45m12 2, Susan Elsdon 1hr 47m10 3. Under 18 women’s half marathon Felicity Paredes 2hr19m39, over 40 women’s half marathon Sue Elsdon 1hr47m10 1, Vicki Remyn 1hr47m34 2, Debra Robb 2hr04m36 3.

Ten kilometres men’s open Paul Taylor 37m47 1, Richard Clavarino 38m19 2, Mitchell Distin 39m13 3. 10 kilometres men’s under 18 Mitchell Distin 39m13 1, Harrison Moore 47m42 2, Ty Miller 55m29 3. 10 kilometre men’s over 40 Paul Taylor 37m47 1, Stuart Gowans 53m10 2, P Darren Yates 55m14 3.

10 km women’s open Kathryn Hilder 47m47 1, Alicia Clerks 47m48, 2 Kate Flint and Tammy Brace 48m29 3. Under 18 Alicia Clerks 47m48 1, Georgia Pearson 49m08 2, Hayley Adams 52m01 3. Women’s over 40 Kathryn Hilder 47m47 1, Tammy Brace 48m29 2, Megan Thomas 51m04 3.

Five kilometres men’s Kim Harold 18m11 1, Chris Macdonald 18m23 2, Campbell Pike 18m55 3. Under 18 Campbell Pike 18m55 1, Lachie Auldist 21m02 2, Liam Gleeson 21m40 3. Men’s over 40 Chris McDonald 18m23 1, Mark Spencer 20m07 2, Chris Buckingham 24m47 3.

Five kilometre women’s Anna MacDonald 20m17 1, Jo Pratt 21m46 2, Melissa Taafe 22m27 3. Under 18 women’s Ella Johnstone 27m05 1, Mia McGrohan 27m23 2, Darcy Sutteridge 28m10 3. Women’s over 40 Tammy Jane 23m10 1, Merryn Finlayson 23m29 2, Julianne MacDonald 24m28 3.

2.5km girl’s Emily Hart 11m11.71 1, Jennifer Mackay 13m20.93 2, Bella Finlayson 14m48.47 3. Under 10 girl’s Amelie Crossley 11m40.82 1, Chloe Johnstone 12m09.57 2, Tahlia Langelaan 13m40.94 3.

2.5 kilometre boy’s Jackson Crossley 9m12.04 1, Sam King 9m29.03 2, Jackson Clarke 11m38.90 3. Under 10 boy’s Harry Van Schyndel 11m17.50 1, Rhys Flegg 11m40.82 2, Cody Jones 12m55.81 3.

Gippsland Athletics young female athlete award Tameka Moore, Gippsland Athletics young male athlete award Aaron Saltmarsh.

Above: The fancy dress section was popular with many people bravely tackling the courses in an array of costumes. Showing a lot of imagination in dressing up are (from left): Tessa Grubb, 12, Jordyn Cahill, 11, Lee Bell, Mitchell Cahill, 7 and Airi...

Left: Eli Twinning of Seaview is only six but he has already competed in two fun runs. He was accompanied by his father Steve while mum Angela and brother Isaac, 3, cheered them on from the sidelines.

At the presentation to winners of the women’s half marathon are (from left): Kathy Watt, Susan Elsdon, Trish Yates, Emily Barkley and Carolyn Schuwalow.

It was a family affair for the Spencer family of Warragul. Nicole and six-yearold daughter Summer ran in the 2.5km fun run while Mark stepped out in the five kilometre event. Four-year-old Ashton was on the sidelines to cheer them all over the line.

It was a family affair for the Finlaysons of Warragul with Merryn running the 10 kilometre event while Peter accompanied daughter Bella, 11, in the 2.5km event.

Peter Cutler pounds over the finish line taking out the men’s half marathon in a time of one hour, 18 minutes, thirty seconds.

Putting everything into running over the line first in the 2.5km fun run is Jackson Crossley.

Taneka Moore of Drouin is congratulated on receiving the Gippsland Athletics young female athlete award from sponsor Peter Nicholson.