The Victorian Race Walking Club

VRWC RACES, ALBERT PARK, SUNDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2009

Victorian walkers produced some excellent performances on Sunday morning in our monthly Albert Park races. Rudolf Skrucany and Terry O'Neill decided to test themselves out over the 20km distance with Terry pleased to break the 2 Hour barrier and Rudolf doing a 7 minute PB for 2:18. But the highlights were in the 10 km walk where international reps Tom Barnes, Rhydian Cowley, Jess Rothwell, Regan Lamble and Megan Szirom all toed the start line. Tom Barnes surged to the front from the gun and was rewarded with a 10 sec PB time of 42:41. 19 year old Jess Rothwell was not far behind and walked with great consistency for a wonderful PB time of 44:01, the fourth fastest ever done by an Australian woman. 2008 World Cup rep Rhydian Cowley, still a teenager, was next in with 45:57, showing that he is getting back into good shape after a demanding final year of secondary school. 14 year old Ryan Andidormi was next in with 56:29 in his first ever 10 km race – what a fantastic performance.

20 km Open Walk
1. O'Neill, Terry        59:08    01:59:39                  
2. Skrucany, Rudolf      67:06    02:18:46

10 km Open Walk                             
1. Barnes, Tom           08:15    16:41    25:18    33:59    42:41 (PB)
2. Rothwell, Jess        08:37    17:21    26:10    35:10    44:01 (PB)
3. Cowley, Rhydian       08:52    18:10    27:32    36:55    45:57
4. Antidormi, Ryan       10:55    26:06    33:30    44:54    56:29 (PB)
5. Armstrong, David      11:35    23:07    34:36    46:07    57:38
6. McIntyre, Gayle       11:31    23:07    34:43    46:15    57:41
7. Dickinson, Murray     11:56    23:54    36:10    48:37    01:10
8. Holmes, Janet         12:20    25:10    38:06    51:05    64:04
9. Feldman, Liz          DNF                 
   Lamble, Regan         DNF                 
   Szirom, Megan         DNF   
   Dickenson, Russ       DNF                 

In the 5km walk, Stuart Kollmorgen, Beth Alexander and Brad Simpson backed up after their Shield Final walks the previous day and took the first 3 places in the VRWC race. While Stuart was quickest overall with 23:53, it was Beth Alexander who took our attention with her PB time of 24:28, only 3 secs outside the World Youth standard. Well done to Beth on a great walk. And welcome to Mishelle Hendrickson who had her first ever racewalk to record a good 34:50.

5 km Walk Open             
1. Kollmorgen, Stuart    23:53
2. Alexander, Beth       24:28 (PB)
3. Simpson, Bradley      25:34
4. Dickenson, Russ       28:00
5. Gardiner, Bob         29:50
6. Steed, Gwen           30:05
7. Wallace, Anna         30:37
8. Shaw, Kirstin         30:47
9. Elms, Jason           31:33
10.Elms, Donna           33:03
11.Hendrickson, Mishelle 34:50
12.Wicks, Barrie         35:47
             
3 km Walk Open             
1. Elms, Damien          19:30
2. Stanway, Marlaine     22:09
3. Onley, Gordon         26:03
             
2 km Walk Under 12             
1. McLaren, Stacey       13:28
2. Crea, Gabriella       13:31

VRWC RACES, CLIFTON HILL, SUNDAY 18 JANUARY 2009

Our VRWC track races last weekend were a low key affair with many of our walkers still away on holidays and with many of our younger walkers away on a Little Athletics camp. But those who did come along produced some good results.

Open 5000m walk, 9AM
Pam Tindal and Ralph Bennett had a good battle out front in our first race of the day with Pam recording 26:24 as against Ralph's 26:30. But the big mover of the day was Rudolf Skrucany who went though the 3000m in a PB time of 17:59 and then kept on going for a big 5000m PB time of 30:56. At the other end of the age scale, youngsters Andrew Hogan and Jasmine Irshad walked their first ever 5000m together to cross the finish line in 36:45.
               
1. Bennett, Ralph        26:30
2. McDonough, Aaron      28:23
3. Skrucany, Rudolf      30:56 (PB)   
4. Gardiner, Bob          31:58
5. Hogan, Andrew         36:45   

1. Tindal Pam            26:24   
2. McIntyre, Gayle       28:27   
3. Holmes Janet          29:45   
4. Steed, Gwen           30:02   
5. Irshad, Jasmine       36:45   

Masters 3000m walk, 9:45AM   
Ralph and Rudolf were back in action a few minutes later in the 3000m walk and both recorded very good second race results. Heather Carr was also in the mix with a fast 15:54.
       
1. Bennett, Ralph        15:49   
2. Skrucany, Rudolf      19:10   
3. Summers, Harry        22:00   

1. Carr, Heather         15:54   
2. Feldman, Liz          16:54   
3. Elms Donna            20:03   
4. Johnson, Celia        20:22   
5. Stanway, Marlaine     22:51   

Finally a small selection of our younger walkers contested Under 20 3000m and Under 14 1500m events. Beth Alexander was particularly impressive with her 14:59 for the 3000m.
               
Under 20 3000m 10AM               
1. McShanag, Connor      19:31   
   Elms, Jason           DQ   
   Elms, Damien          DQ   

1. Alexander, Beth       14:59.5   
2. Barbour, Beth         20:04   
               
Under 14 1500m 10:40AM                
1. Stadus, Lauren        08:29   
2. McLaren, Stacey       10:10   
3. George, Hayley        11:32   
           
Judges:    Peter Vysma, Gordon Loughnan, Judy Mason               
Officials: Ron Miller, Tim Erickson, Harry Summers, Bob Gardiner       

VRWC RACES, ALBERT PARK, SUNDAY 7 DECEMBER 2008

We were back at Albert Park again on Sunday for our latest series of club races. It was cool but rather windy – reasonable conditions for racing but not perfect. Most walkers stuck to the 10 km or 5 km distances but Heather Carr and Rudolf Skrucany were the adventurous ones, testing themselves over 15 km. Rudolf's walk was quite noteworthy as he recorded a 7 minute PB! Daniel Payne was the fastest walker on the day and led from the start, recording a fine 48:53 for the 10 km. Nardene Hammond was another to walk well, finishing with 58:08. Stuart Kollmorgen was the fastest of the 5 km walkers with a speedy 25:01. It was good to see Natalie Laurie back in action over the 3 km distance after some time out with injury. And a special mention to Beth Barbour who jumped up from her usual short race to contest the 5 km which she walked in 33:27.

15 Km Open
1. Heather Carr          89:59
2. Rudolf Skrucany       99:29

10 Km Open
1. Daniel Payne          48:53
2. Ross Reid             54:39
3. Ralph Bennett         55:00
4. Nardene Hammond       58:08
5. Russ Dickenson        59:26
6. Pam Tindal            59:27
7. Bob Gardiner          63:07
8. Donna Elms            65:53
9. Stuart Cooper         69:51
10.Christine Griffiths   8 km in 88:21

5 Km Open
1. Stuart Kollmorgen     25:01
2. Gayle McIntyre        27:56
3. Gwen Steed            30:16
4. Janet Holmes          31:07
E5 Talie Collins         32:27
E5 Beth Barbour          33:27
7. Celia Johnson         33:43
8. Robin Wood            33:54
9. Barrie Wicks          34:33
10.Jason Elms            DQ

3 Km Open
1. Natalie Laurie        16:52
2. Anthony Doran         19:03
3. Damien Elms           19:24

With the Little Athletics Region Relays on and with the PSG only just finishing up, most of our younger walkers were otherwise occupied but a small number availed themselves of the opportunity for a walk and walked well.

3 Km Under 15
1. Lauren Stadus         18:42
2. Cindy Collins         19:38
3. Amy Ventura           19:39

2 Km Under 12
1. Gabrielle Crea        13:43
2. Stacey McLaren        14:04

1 Km Under 9
1. Sam Candotti           6:47
2. Kristina Collins       7:10

VRWC CHAMPIONSHIPS, ALBERT PARK, SUNDAY 16 NOVEMBER 2008

The VRWC summer championships were contested on Sunday at Albert Park. Unfortunately, due to Little Athletics Region Relays and a PSG Team Victoria presentation day, our numbers were going to be effected but we were committed and had to go ahead anyway. As it turned out, we had 56 walkers in attendance so were pleased under the circumstances. We were also very excited to see two of our 2008 Olympians in action in Adam Rutter and Chris Erickson. Conditions were cool and windy but it didn't seem to worry the walkers and we saw a fair number of PBs recorded.
                   
20 Km Open Men Club Championship - Gus Theobold Trophy       
Adam Rutter and Chris Erickson headed out hard and then proceeded to lap even faster as the 20 km race progressed. Adam put the pedal down around the 10 km mark and reeled off an 11:59 3 km split before stopping at 13 km, satisfied with his first hitout since Beijing. That left Chris on his own and he showed no signs of slowing to win with 1:25:26. Andrew Jamieson was less than 1 minute outside his M60 World Record with his 1:36:36 while club coach Mark Donahoo came in next with 1:48:02.
   
1. Erickson, Chris        42:49    1:25:26
2. Jamieson, Andrew       48:20    1:36:36
3. Donahoo, Mark          53:53    1:48:02
4. O'Neill, Terry         58:17    1:56:51
5. Skrucany, Rudolf       69:23    2:26:01
6. Rutter, Adam           42:36    DNF
                   
15 Km Open                   
1. Szirom, Megan          49:03:00    DNF
                   
10 km Masters Women Club Championship - Heather Carr Trophy   
Gayle McIntyre was the inaugural winner of the Heather Carr Trophy with a PB time of 55:13. Donna Elms also recorded a PB in second place and it was great to see Christine Griffiths take third.

1. McIntyre, Gayle        55:13   
2. Elms, Donna            66:26   
3. Griffiths, Christine   1:47:27   

Nicholas Mirarchi was the standout walker in the Open 10 km with a PB time of 49:38. A special mention also to Nardene Hammond who jumped in the deep end and contested the 10 km event after only a short period of solid training. We also had a 5 km Open event which saw good walks by a couple of our newer walkers, Anna Wallace and Robyn Shaw. And a special mention to another new walker, Rachael Tully, who tested herself successfully over the 3 km distance.
                   
10 Km Open                   
1. Mirarchi, Nicholas     49:38   
2. Bennett, Ralph         55:13   
3. Dickenson, Russ        57:07   
4. Dickinson, Murray      60:13   
5. Gardiner, Bob          62:03   
6. Hammond, Nardene       63:07   
7. Wood, Robin            71:55   
   Reid, Ross             DQ   

5 Km Open                   
1. Steed, Gwen            30:01   
2. Holmes, Janet          30:17   
3. Doran, Anthony         32:49   
4. Wallace, Anna          33:07   
5. Wicks, Barrie          34:00   
6. Johnson, Celia         34:02   
7. Shaw, Robyn            34:47   

3 Km Open                   
1. Beaumont, Margaret     22:55   
2. Beaumont, Ian          23:17
3. Tully, Rachel          23:49   
4. Mews, Pam              28:40   

Our younger walkers contested U20, U15, U12 and U9 club championships with some quick times being recorded. Most could not stay for the presentations as they had to rush to the PSG Team Vic. function but we have your medals at Albert Park for you. Special mentions to 12 year old Lucas Taylor who was 2nd in the Under 20 5 km championship and to James Burren who had his first walk at Albert Park in the Under 9 championship.
                   
5 Km Under 20 Club Championships                   
1. Alexander, Beth        25:33   
2. Shaw, Kirstin          26:38   
   Brazel, Hilary         DNF   
   Attard, Tamara         DNF

1. Elms, Jason            29:12   
2. Taylor, Lucas          29:43   
   Cosic, Filip           DNF   
   Elms, Damien           DQ   

3 Km Under 15 Club Championships                   
1. Finnegan, Amelia       15:06   
2. Burren, Amy            15:12   
3. Hockley-Samon, Jmara   17:59       

1. Simpson, Bradley       14:48   
2. Walsh, Robert          15:28   
3. Antidormi, Ryan        15:53   

1.5 Km Under 12 Club Championships                   
1. Burren, Sarah          07:36   
2. Albert, Ashley         07:52   
3. Bertrand, Carly        08:05   
4. Ventura, Amy           08:46   
5. Barbour, Beth          08:50   
6. McLaren, Stacey        09:14   
7. Crea, Gabriella        09:29   

1. Coleman, Harry         08:30   

1.5 Km Under 9 Club Championships                   

1. Taylor, Lee            12:12   

1. Swan, Kyle             09:03   
2. Burren, James          09:45   

Judges:    P Vysma, L Nicholls, G Loughnan           
Officials: H Summers, T Erickson, I Laurie, P Kozaris, B Gardiner, S Taylor, D McLaren

VRWC RACES, ALBERT PARK, SUNDAY19 OCTOBER 2008

Our summer season opening at Albert Park on Sunday 19th October was a pretty low key affair with only a small number of walkers in attendance but that mirrors the experience of previous years with walkers perhaps still in light training in the break between seasons. The weather was good for walking so those who did come down were able to enjoy solid workouts.  Ralph Bennett and Kylie Irshad took the honours over the 15 km distance while Nicholas Mirarchi and Heather Carr were fastest over the 10 km. I must give a special mention to Cassie Raselli who did her first ever 10 km race and finished a creditable equal third after keeping Pam Tindal company for the entire distance. Thanks to Stuart Cooper for the photos as usual.

15 km Open
1. Bennett, Ralph          59:09    1:25:33
2. Donahoo, Mark           59:35    1:27:49
3. Skrucany, Rudolf      1:12:32    1:48:39

1. Irshad, Kylie           59:35    1:27:49
2. Feldman, Liz          1:01:50    1:32:28
3. Elms, Donna           1:11:53    1:45:35

10 km Open
1. Mirarchi, Nicolas       52:42
2. Reid, Ross              54:40
3. Elms, Jason           1:07:36

1. Carr, Heather           57:09
2. McIntyre, Gayle         58:03
E3 Tindal, Pam           1:02:36
E3 Raselli, Cassie       1:02:36
5. Griffiths, Christine  1:59:37

In our shorter distance races, Stuart Kollmorgen and Amelia Finnegan were the fastest - Stuart showed everyone a clean pair of heels in the 5 km to record 24:19 while Amelia Finnegan was the fastest 3 km walker with a very impressive 15:21. Well done to 12 year olds Lucas Taylor and Stephanie George who both completed the 5 km walk in good times of 30:28 and 29:41 respectively. Special mentions also to Gayle McIntyre who walked the 10 km, had a short break and then fronted again for the 5 km (now that's what I call enthusiasm) and to Anna Wallace who walked very well to record a good PB over the 3 km distance.

5 km Open
1. Kollmorgen, Stuart     24:19
2. Taylor, Lucas          30:28
3. Wicks, Barrie          33:59
4. Wood, Robin            35:07

1. Shaw, Kirstin          26:58
2. George, Stephanie      29:41
E3 Steed, Gwen            29:45
E3 McIntyre, Gayle        29:45
5. Holmes, Janet          32:17
6. Johnson, Celia         34:18

3 km Open    
1. Cosic, Filip           16:12
2. Elms, Damien           21:11

1. Payne, Emily           17:57
2. Wallace, Anna          19:05

3 km Under 15
1. McShanag, Connor       17:35

1. Finnegan, Amelia       15:21

We had only a smattering of walkers in our Under 12 and Under 9 age groups because of the Little Athletics Coaching Seminar being run at Collingwood (I hear it went very well) – Jasmine Irshad was the fastest in the 2 km and Gabriella Crea (who missed the start so had her own special race of one!) was the fastest over 1 km.

2 Km Under 12      
1. Irshad, Jasmine        11:49
2. McLaren, Stacey        13:44

1 km Under 9
1. Candotti, Sam          06:21
2. McShanag, Ethan        07:22

1. Crea, Gabriella        06:12
2. Taylor, Lee            07:40

Judges:    Lloyd Nicholls, Peter Vysma
Officials: Harry Summers, Tim Erickson, Lou Mirarchi, Susan Taylor, Elke Raselli       Competitors: 36