A beautiful autumn day greeted almost 200 runners for the opening State League event on a tricky map at Wattle Ridge on Saturday.
Setter Darren Slattery concentrated courses in a smallish area at 1:7500 to allow for better readability, and the three hardest courses had map changes.
What soon became apparent was (a) the change from summer series to proper bush was stark; and (b) what looked white on the map was deflnitely light green.
Visibility was low (see the pic of Uringa's Linda Sesta in action). Those with overseas experience were quick to point out that it was a lot like being in a European forest as far as thickness goes.
While times were on the slow side generally, there were some very good results of which the picks were: Garingal's Hugo McCahon-Boersma winning M14A, Daniel Hill (GO) tearing up M20A, and Ant Nolan (UR) winning by 17 minutes in M45A.
ACT's two visiting scholars ate up M21A with sub-35 minute times, a good five minutes clear of Newcastle duo Alex Massey and Josh Blatchford. Less than a minute separated the first three placegetters in W55AS
The Eventor page has links to the results, splits, Winsplits and results by course (which show time lost). Tony Hill has some superb photos as well from the day.
Thanks to organiser Alitia Dougall and the Bennelong Northside club for a great start to the State League season.
