The Great Volcanic Mountain Challenge to the top of Mount Canoblas near Orange had a record field this Sunday. Nearly 400 starters entered from all over NSW, with athletes drawn from Wollongong, Sydney and Newcastle as well as a good local turnout. A fund raiser for the local Scouts and Guides, the annual event is organised by Goldseekers Orienteers and has been growing in popularity since it started seven years ago. This year there was an additional boost to entrants to the event as it was nominated as the NSW Mountain Running Championships by Athletics NSW.
Competition was fierce with Ruairdh Macdonald snatching the victory from last year's winner and course record holder Robin Whiteley, in 51:09 to Robin's 51:28. Central Coast runner Charlie Brooks was third in 52.13. For the female placings it was local woman Christine Wolfson first across the line in 1:01:13, a good margin head of Audrey Amiya-Hall who was second in 1:06:03 and Estelle Dean, also from Orange in 1:07:24. Local orienteer Darren Francis of Goldseekers put in a tremendous performance with a time of 1:11:01 with Western Plains club member Matt Scott coming in not far behind in 1:12:08. Shaun Smith, a junior and NSW Wildfire (Under 12) from Goldseekers, found his way to the top in just over 2 hours. Other notable results came from the Over 70 age class winner, Brian Rix, who scorched up the mountainside in 1:25:22. Willy Thomas who completed the course in just under 3 hours, is the oldest entrant ever in the race, competing in the Over 80's class.
This year saw the use of a new electronic timing system, purchased as a joint venture between Goldseekers, Orange Triathlon Club and Orange Runners Club. The purchase of the system, which cost over $16,000 was made possible by the generous support of local Orange Council.
