Latest ONSW News
Daylight saving is here, the bush season has finished, which means... it's time for the annual summer series to start.
That's when we turn our attention to navigating our way through some of the most scenic parks, reserves and foreshores that our clubs have mapped. Many newcomers are amazed at the views on offer and the areas they discover through our summer series.
As an example, a map from a previous event is here. The maps usually cover an area of 2km x 1km. The fastest runners will often cover 9-10km in 45 minutes, while the more social participants may do as little as 2km.
It's up to you how competitive or social you are.
On Wednesday, Newcastle have their traditional warm-up event, at Mayfield East. See their series flyer for full details. You only get two minutes of planning time, so make full use of it. Newcastle even offer a pram-walking category (see bottom pic)!
At the same time at Lane Cove, Sydneysiders will number around 200 for the first event in the Sydney Summer Series. You get unlimited planning time (see picture, left, for a family hard at work). This serves a wonderful social purpose as much as maximising your score.
Thankfully the weather is forecast to change just before dawn on Wednesday to ensure great running (or walking) conditions.
On Saturday our newest series, the SOS, starts at James Ruse Ag HS in Carlingford, and the following afternoon (Sunday) the Southern SSS kicks off at Maroubra. Later this month our regional clubs will start, as will the Western SSS in the Hills District.
Beginners will get coaching at the events. We hope to see you there.
Big Foot stamped their class all over the Australian sprint championships in Ballarat on Friday, with a carnival best five wins, two seconds and a third.
Melbourne Forest Racers had identical results to share the honours as the second weekend of action got underway in gusty conditions at St Patrick's College.
Nea Shingler and Oliver Freeman did the double in the youngest class, 10A, while Tracy Marsh (pictured) won W35A, ONSW president Greg Barbour took out M50A and Debbie Byers claimed the W60A title.
NSW runners to place second were Jenny Enderby (NC) in W45A, Carolyn Matthews (NC) in W50A, junior squad coach Jock Davis (BF) in M45A, Mark Shingler (BF) in M50A, Chippy le Carpentier (SH) in M70A and Neil Schafer (GO) in M85A.
Third placings went to Erika Enderby (NC) in W01A, Maree Doyle (UR) in W17-20A, Julia Prudhoe (CC) in W60A, Pauline Moore (WR) in W65A, Jenny Hawkins (NT) in W70A, Chris Fitzgerald (GS) in M21A, Fedor Iskhakov (BN) in M35A, Matt Hackett (WH) in M40A, Eoin Rothery (BF) in M55A and Jim Merchant (GO) in M70A.
That's 11 of our 16 clubs on the podium - well done! We should also mention that our orienteers have been cleaning up on the social side of things, too, with Newcastle's Margaret Peel winning the Dr Blake literary competition, and Garingal's Sue Thomson the 'best dressed' award at the dinner.
Saturday sees the blue ribbon event of the caarnival - the Australian long championships.
Big Foot's Alastair George was the fastest runner in the first leg of the junior boys at the Australian schools relay championships near Ballarat on Wednesday, but the team had to settle for fifth and relinquish the crown they won in WA last year.
Alastair gave the Carbines a four-second advantage, before clubmate Ewan Shingler produced a great run to have NSW third at the last change. Rookie Finn Mackay filled in for the ill Duncan Currie.
New Zealand teams won three of the four schools relays, with Queensland grabbing the win in the senior boys.
Our senior boys (Daniel Hill, Toby Wilson, Callum Davis) were seventh, as were our senior girls (Georgia Jones, Melissa Annetts, Rebecca George), while our junior girls (Claire Burgess, Rebecca Kennedy, Sophie Jones) finished sixth.
We congratulate all our schools team competitors on their efforts - many of them have run five days in a row. And a big thank you to coach Jock and manager Sally.
The national carnival continues on Friday with the Australian sprint championships.
Uringa's Jones sisters roared back into form at the Australian schools individual championships near Ballarat on Tuesday.
Georgia was fourth in the senior girls, just 2:12 behind the winner and two junior world championship representatives, while younger sibling Sophie (pictured) was 9th in the junior girls - an excellent result in her first year in NSW colours.
In the boys divisions, Toby Wilson (GO) was seventh in a strong senior field, while Alastair George (Big Foot) finished 11th in the juniors.
The schools relays are tomorrow (Wed). NSW are defending champions in the junior boys.
