Impressive times for Geoff Watt run
Michael Eury and Stephanie Matthews took the ultimate prize as winners of the half marathon at the recent Geoff Watt Memorial Fun Run.
Box Hill athlete Michael Eury crossed the line just under an hour-and-a-half, finishing almost nine minutes ahead of nearest rival Kane Millard. Andrew Box finished third.
Gippsland Road Runners member Stephanie Matthews completed the women’s event in just over two hours. She finished six-and-a-half minutes ahead of local athlete Heidi Gratton, who only transitioned to longer distance races about 12 months ago. Gratton’s time of 2:08:00 saw her claim first place in her age group.
Tracy Stephens, also a member of the Gippsland Road Runners group, finished third.
Young athletes recorded impressive times, with under 18 athlete Jonathan Charles of Warragul recording a time of 1:41:54 in the half marathon to finish just outside of the open placings. Jonathan is the son of former AFL boundary umpire Tim Charles and is a promising boundary umpire in his own right.
In another performance of note, local under 12 athletes Grace Graafsma and Olivia Thorne topped the time sheets in the 2.5km women’s event.
Ben Kilday and Sarah Lewis were first across the line in the 10km events, while Stephen Rae and event special guest Michelle Baumgartner were first place getters in the 5km events.
A former Australian champion and Commonwealth Games representative, Baumgartner also has a degree in nutrition and was on hand to provide tips to interested people.
The event again proved a family affair for many, with Peter and Renn Coghlan again featuring in the open placings in their respective distances.
Several age categories saw plenty of prizes on offer, while there were also prizes for the best dressed. All participants received a gift pack thanks to the support of event sponsors.
This year’s event raised money for the McGrath Foundation.
The McGrath Foundation raises money to place specialist McGrath Breast Care nurses wherever they’re needed, providing invaluable physical, psychological and emotional support from the time of diagnosis and throughout treatment for free. Results: Open: Half marathon: Women’s: 1st Stephanie Matthews 2:01:30, 2nd Heidi Gratton 2:08:00, 3rd Tracy Stephens 2:11:23; Men’s: 1st Michael Eury 1:29:48, 2nd Kane Millard 1:38:31, 3rd Andrew Box 1:39:13.
10km: Women’s: 1st Sarah Lewis 42:10, 2nd Helen Barclay 45:16, 3rd Michelle Worth 45:29; Men’s: 1st Ben Kilday 38:25, 2nd Renn Coghlan 40:02, 3rd Craig Byrnes 41:18.
5km: Women’s: 1st Michelle Baumgartner 22:46, 2nd Lilly Leighton 23:50, 3rd Gill Tucker 25:10; Men’s: 1st Stephen Rae 17:56, 2nd Peter Coghlan 22:13, 3rd Neil Forth 25:35.
2.5km: Women’s: 1st Grace Graafsma 11:33, 2nd Olivia Thorne 11:40, 3rd Natalie Thorne 13:40; Men’s: 1st Zach Nabulsi 8:37, 2nd Samuel Williamson 9:07, 3rd Bill De Araugo 10:20. Masters 40+: Half marathon: Women’s: 1st Heidi Gratton 2:08:00, 2nd Tracy Stephens 2:11:23; Men’s: 1st Michael Eury 1:29:48, 2nd Jason Rantall 1:41:53, 3rd Chris Thorne 1:48:18.
10km: Women’s: 1st Michelle Worth 45:29, 2nd Susan Clancy 58:13, 3rd Stacey Byrnes 1:21:05; Men’s: 1st Tony Minichiello 47:17, 2nd Daniel Lowe 49:50, 3rd Paul King 50:41.
5km: Women’s: 1st Michelle Baumgartner 22:46, 2nd Rebecca Ledger 29:40, 3rd Jenny Kitchen 31:34; Men’s: 1st Peter Coghlan 22:13, 2nd Darren Lilleyman 26:49, 3rd Robert Birks 26:58. U18 men: Half marathon: 1st Jonathan Charles 1:41:54. 10km: 1st Renn Coghlan 40:02, 2nd Connor Seymour 1:31:54, 3rd Jaimasyn Serymour 2:00:28.
5km: 1st Hudson Coucard 25: 58, 2nd Abel Ferguson 25:58, 3rd Yelan Mateus 30:19. U18 women: 5km: 1st Lilly Leighton 23:50, 2nd Gill Tucker 25:10, 3rd Katie Tucker 25:27. Under 9s: 2.5km: Girls: 1st Nakita Marriott 13:57, 2nd Erika Reynolds 15:11, 3rd Audrey Graafsma 15:47; Boys: 1st Jim Thorne 12:36, 2nd Mitchell Grubb 13:17, 3rd Fraser Leighton 16:18. Under 12s: 2.5km: Girls: 1st Grace Graafsma 11:33, 2nd Olivia Thorne 11:40, 3rd Chloe Marriott 15:01; Boys: 1st Bill De Araugo 10:20, 2nd Kane Reynolds 10:25, 3rd Arcifer Thorne 10:25. Under 15s: 2.5km: Girls: 1st Emily Birks 14:37, 2nd Jordyn Cahill 23:24; 1st Zach Nabulsi 8:37, 2nd Samuel Williamson 9:07, 3rd Harry Graafsma 10:24.