By George, a dam fine Sprint finish to the Aus 3-Days
- Last Updated: Tuesday, 13 June 2017 19:25
The Australian 3-days carnival finished on a spectacular note at CSU Wagga on Monday, with a Sprint event mixing rock with campus to throughly test brains and brawn for a third straight day.
And in the washup, it was Big Foot junior Alastair George with arguably the best NSW result of the long weekend - third overall in the junior men's elite class. Congratulations Al - we hope that JWOC selection lies in the near future.
Now, how could a seemingly urban sprint possibly have tricky rock? Easy - thanks to a new map extension on a steep hill to the west. After a short, sharp climb to the start (past a few curious kangaroos), runners were confronted with half a dozen controls in a small hilly area littered with boulders.
As usual, the race won't be won here but can certainly be lost. (Your tired scribe blew 4 minutes overshooting two controls on Course 5, but we digress!) From there it was a careful drop to the western edge of the built-up area.
Nothing about the campus section looks particularly difficult - until closer inspection reveals pedestrian overbridges, impassable building corners and a plethora of uncrossable garden beds.
Decision making at speed, and speedy decision making. An error of mere seconds can mean the difference between first place and merely second... or further down the results list.
The course climax provided a wonderful spectacle - runners converged from two or three directions on the last control (a sculpture, pictured top) in the corner of a large pond with two small bridges for access, then a 50m dash to the finish.
Innovative course planning by SHOO's Melbourne-based NSW Stinger Dave Meyer and a great venue for the presentations, for which we had the pleasure of the company of Wagga Deputy Mayor Dallas Tout.
Our list of thank yous is extensive: organising clubs Waggaroos, Southern Highlands, Illawarra Kareelah, Uringa; carnival organiser Ron Pallas; all our course setters and controllers; and the generous landowners.
The Oceania and World Masters champs in New Zealand in April forced OA to move this carnival from its usual Easter date, so we are grateful to the 550+ participants who made the effort to enjoy three quality maps in glorious winter sunshine.
You can find all the results on Eventor, splits on Winsplits and Attackpoint, and courses on Routegadget.
Sunday's hit song is "Burngoogee, burn"
- Last Updated: Sunday, 11 June 2017 22:12
Burngoogee is one of the many jewels in Waggaroos' treasure chest of maps - and first-timers found out just why at the Australian 3-Days on Sunday.
Top-ranked Australian Julian Dent set a demanding test for the traditional Long day, held in beautiful golden winter sunshine.
Courses generally started out through the steep, rocky section in the northwest corner of the map then swept east through some flatter open forest before some more rock and a final climb.
Contouring or up-and-down was a constant dilemma for many, and most courses seemed steeper than Saturday's opener at Connorton. That didn't prevent some very fast times being recorded, especially on Course 9 where Ella Cuthbert from the ACT sped around the 4.5km course in 38:22.
The best NSW result among the elites was Alastair George (Big Foot) coming third in the junior men.
Click on the blue links for the photo album on our Facebook page; and for Day 2 results, Winsplits and Routegadget.
Another big thanks to Waggaroos and their helper clubs SHOO, Uringa and IKO. And a massive shout out to the Billetts who have worked tirelessly in the Junior Squad catering van on both days. Funds raised help offset the cost of sending the NSW All Schools Team to the annual Australian championships.
Rock stars shine at Aus 3-Days opener
- Last Updated: Saturday, 10 June 2017 23:04
Waggaroos promised "We will rock you" - and setter Briohny Seaman delivered as the Australian 3-Days made a brilliant start at Connorton on Saturday.
There were many fast times despite the tricky terrain; the NSW highlight being Uringan Georgia Jones (pictured smiling left) placing third in W20E. The other excellent NOL result among the NSW Stingers was Alastair George (Big Foot) coming fourth in M20E.
Almost 540 participants were on course in superb weather, and our close neighbours from the ACT won 17 of the age classes.
The parking area offered sweeping views over the surrounding farmland, and the start took people through some open area before delving into the rock. For those unfamiliar with granite terrain, it was like someone took the lid off the salt and pepper shakers and turned them upside down on the map.
It was all tremendous fun and a couple of startled Bennelongers even saw some wild goats on course - along with the obligatory kangaroos and wallabies. The uphill sprint to the finish had lungs burning once more.
Thanks Waggaroos and the other helper clubs.
Click on the blue links for photos by Ian and Clare Jessup on Facebook, results, Winsplits and Routegadget.
Glorious weather for NOSH
- Last Updated: Monday, 05 June 2017 17:32
The 43rd annual Great NOSH Footrace was conducted in beautiful, crisp, sunny conditions on Sunday.
Twelve months on from the massive storm that forced the postponement of the 2016 race, the contrast could not have been starker: finishers remarking on how hot they felt as they emerged from the Bantry Bay bushland onto a dry Seaforth Oval after 16.5km of trail running and some serious climbs.
Richard Mountstephens, from our Big Foot club, was first across the line in 75 minutes and 4 seconds. Danielle Donahue (left, with Richard) was the first female in 86:38, taking 22nd place overall.
Alastair George, another Big Foot member, took out fastest junior in 81:59 (13th overall), with Olivia Piazza (99m33s) the quickest female junior.
There were 304 entries, including 26 in the walking category. Spealing of which, Alex Green scooted around in 104m34s - a phemonenal result for walking.
Results are here, and Tony Hill has compiled an album from all the volunteer photographers here.
A big thank you to Bennelong Northside, Bold Horizons, Online Timing, Seaforth Soccer Club, Northern Beaches Council, National Parks, and all the volunteer helpers from orienteering clubs.
