The Victorian Race Walking Club

The Summer Season occurs between October and March and coincides with the long hot Australian summer. The emphasis in on track walking and most races are over the shorter track distances. There is also a strong walking presence in the 'Interclub' Track Competition with all Athletics Teams fielding walkers in their regular competitions.

For this reason, VRWC only holds a small number of events during this period.

VMA 5000m Championships , Dolomore Reserve, Mentone, Sunday 17 February

Conditions were perfect early on Sunday morning for the annual Victorian Masters 5000m walk championships at the Mentone Athletics Track, but the sun came out mid morning and the temperature did then rise. Of our 40 walkers in attendance, 35 competed in the VMA Championships, a very pleasing outcome.

The masters women had the best of the conditions, with their 8:30AM start time. W35 Oakleigh walker Kym Osmand was one of the standouts with her winning time of 26:51. Kym has walked in AV Shield for a number of years but has really brought her times down in the last 12 months. W65 Alison Thompson also stood out, winning her division with an impressive 29:39. It was also great to see three W75 walkers finishing the event in fine style.

Masters Women 5000m Track Walk            
W35    1    Osmand, Kym             26:51    PB 0:57
W40    1    Geisler, Sandra         27:50
       2    McLennan, Laura         33:20    Inaugural
       3    Grace, Marnie           34:51
W45    1    Irshad, Kylie           29:58
W55    1    Elms, Donna-Marie       32:30
       2    Rosenbrock, Carolyn     32:39
       3    Howorth, Sandra         39:38
       DQ   Castel, Helen           DQ       First time walker
W60    1    O'Neill, Karyn          34:50
       2    D'Monte, Arlene         39:50    Inaugural
W65    1    Thompson, Alison        29:39
       2    Carr, Heather           31:20
W70    1    McPherson, Glennis      36:53
W75    1    Steed, Gwen             35:54
       2    Machin, Sylvia          38:26
       3    Hugo, Beverley          44:04

The Masters Men started at 9:15AM, with M40 Pramesh Prasad (25:05) and M55 Kevin Cassidy (26:20) leading the way. Special mentions to Albin Hess (30:04) and Julian Boland (32:17) on PBs.
            
Masters Men 5000m Track Walk            
M40    1    Prasad, Pramesh         25:05
       2    Van Dongen, Rupert      35:14
M45    1    Smyth, David            28:41
M55    1    Cassidy, Kevin          26:20
       2    Evans, Simon            29:38
       3    Hess, Albin             30:04    PB 0:47
       4    Boland, Julian          32:17    PB 1:48
       5    Moritz, Paul            34:18
M60    DNF  Donahoo, Mark           DNF
       DQ   Worsnop, Christopher    DQ
M65    1    Prowse, Frank           33:47
       2    Riddoch, Clyde          34:32
M70    1    Jamieson, Andrew        29:59
       2    Middleton,  Des         35:04
       DNF  Dickenson, Russ         DNF
M75    1    Bennett, Ralph          31:35
M80    1    Ilgoutz, Gunther        36:31
M85    DQ   Silcock-Delaney, Colin  DQ

The meet also included VRWC non-championship walks, with a small number of competitors in attendance. Special mentions to 12 year old Joel Imbriano for his 3000m walk PB of 16:06 and to 7 year olds Ela Uzun and Havana Ali who had their first ever track walk, finishing with 9:18 and 9:53 respectively. Both girls broke our VRWC U19 1500m Track Walk club record. Good work girls!
            
VRWC 5000m Walk            
1.  Reid, Ross         M    31:45
            
VRWC 3000m Walk            
1.  Imbriano, Joel     M    16:06    PB 0:02
2.  Doran, Anthony     M    21:05
            
VRWC 1500m Walk            
1.  Uzun, Ela          F    09:18    VRWC U9 Club Record
2.  Ali, Havana        F    09:53

Thanks as always to our judges, officials and helpers. Apologies to anyone I have missed.

Officials: Tim Erickson, Mark Donahoo, Terry Swan
Lapscorers: Bill Carr, Colin Thompson, Barrie Wicks, Mark Donahoo, Tony Doran
Judges: Gordon Loughnan (chief), David Cash, Terry O'Neill, Shane Dickson

That completes the VRWC summer season. We will return in late April for the start of our winter roadwalking season.

AV Teams 5000m Championships , Dolomore Reserve, Mentone, Wednesday 13 February

Conditions were perfect on Wednesday evening for the annual Athletics Victoria 5000m Team Walk Championships at the Mentone Athletics Track, and we were pleased with the turnout of 32 walkers.

The AV teams championships saw strong wins to both the Knox Athletics men’s and women’s teams, with Charlotte Hay, Kathleen O’Mahony, Emily Smith, Corey Dickson, Mark Blackwood, Luke Epps and Angus Hay all walking well, most recording PBs. Sandringham and Glenhuntly clubs filled the minor medals in the women’s teams race while the Victorian Masters took silver in the men’s teams race.

5000m Walk Women                        
1.  Hay, Charlotte        KNA    25:27    1    PB 0:23
2.  Osmand, Kym           VMA    28:13        
3.  O'Mahony, Kathleen    KNA    28:43    2    
4.  Carr, Heather         GHY    30:53    3    
5.  Smith, Emily          KNA    31:02    4    PB 1:28
6.  Holohan, Bernadette   SAN    33:04    5    PB
7.  Dingli, Alannah       SAN    33:16    6    PB 1:49
8.  Dingli, Isabella      SAN    33:31    7    PB 0:55
9.  Steed, Gwen           GHY    37:45    8    
10. Howorth, Sandra       GHY    40:11    9    

Teams Championships            
1.  KNA       1,2,4        7
2.  SAN       5,6,7       17
3.  GHY       3,8,9       20

5000m Walk Men                        
1.  Dickson, Corey        KNA    22:12    1    PB 0:01
2.  Thompson, Will        CCA    23:39        
3.  Blackwood, Mark       KNA    23:58    2    
4.  Prasad, Pramesh       VMA    27:25    3    
5.  Epps, Luke            KNA    28:08    4    PB 0:44
6.  Hay, Angus            KNA    29:04    5    PB 1:21
7.  Hess, Albin           VMA    30:51    6    PB 1:10
8.  Murfett, Grant        VMA    31:54         Inaugural
9.  Boland, Julian        MEN    35:23        
10. Barrow, Geoff         MEN    35:24        
11. Dickenson, Russell    VMA    35:46        
    Wakim, Marcus         COL    DNS        
    Van Dongen, Rupert    MEN    DNS        

Team Championships            
1.  KNA       1,2,4        7
2.  VMA       3,5,6       14

We also had a number of walkers who participated in the non-championship 1500m and 5000m walks.

VRWC 5000m Non-Championship Walk                
1.  Cassidy, Kevin        VRWC    26:03
2.  Irshad, Kylie         VRWC    29:56
                
VRWC 1500m Non-Championship Walk
1.  Smyth, David           VRWC   07:32             
2.  Imbriano, Joel         VRWC   07:33
3.  Thompson, Eliza        VRWC   08:45
4.  Grace, Marnie          VRWC   09:28
5.  Smith, Aiden           VRWC   09:47
6.  Warrillow, Huw         INV    10:14
7.  Thompson, Merilyn      VRWC   10:24
8.  D'Monte, Arlene        INV    11:47
9.  Mews, Pam              VRWC   17:05

Our walkers gathered together after the meet to give a show of support for the 50km walk, under threat from forces within the IAAF. Thanks everyone!



Thanks as always to our officials, helpers and judges. Apologies if I have missed anyone
    
Officials: Stuart Cooper, Terry Swan, Tim Erickson, Mark O'Mahony, Bill Carr, Margaret Hay, Donna Dickson
Judges: Peter Vysma (Chief), Michael Bodey, David Cash, Gordon Loughnan, Shane Dickson, Brenda Felton

We return to the Mentone Athletics Track on Sunday morning for the annual Victorian Masters 5000m Walk Championships.

VRWC ROADWALKS, MIDDLE PARK, SUNDAY 20 JANUARY 2019

Our latest VRWC road races at Middle Park on Sunday morning saw 35 walkers testing themselves out over varying distances on a warm and sunny Melbourne summer day. Most had walked in AV Shield the day before but were ready to go again. 2016 Olympian Rhydian Cowley was the standout with, what was for him, was an easy Sunday morning 20km training session of 1:36:39. Mark Blackwood also walked well for his 20km time of 1:43:51. And then everyone hung around to see Kyle Bird (1:50:53) and Cassandra Knight (2:18:17) each finish their first 20km. Great work by the two young walkers.

It was also great to see new walker Marnie Grace walk her first ever 5km (34:15) and 12 year old Aiden Smith (22:14) walk his first ever 3km. Finally, special mentions to Joel Imbriano (equal PB of 16:18 for 3km) and Havana Ali (PB of 14:35 for 2km).

VRWC 20km Roadwalk                
1.  Cowley, Rhydian       M     48:29    1:36:39
2.  Blackwood, Mark       M     52:02    1:43:51
3.  Bird, Kyle            M     53:19    1:50:53    First one
4.  Feiner, Tracy         F   1:00:50    2:05:59
5.  Feain, Madeleine      F   1:04:25    2:13:07    
6.  Knight, Cassandra     F   1:06:13    2:18:17    First one
                
VRWC 15km Roadwalk                
1.  Prasad, Pramesh       M     52:13    1:20:45
2.  Rosenbrock, Carolyn   F   1:10:37    1:48:02

VRWC 10km Roadwalk            
1.  Hay, Charlotte        F     59:20
2.  Geisler, Sandra       F     59:52
3.  Irshad, Kylie         F   1:07:28
4.  Donahoo, Mark         M   1:08:29
5.  Carr, Heather         F   1:09:46
6.  O'Neill, Karyn        F   1:14:19
7.  Elms, Donna-Marie     F   1:16:17
            
VRWC 5km Walk            
1.  Cassidy, Kevin        M     26:55
2.  Beveridge, Heath      M     28:00
3.  Smyth, David          M     29:08
4.  Hay, Angus            M     32:24
5.  Bennett, Ralph        M     32:36
6.  Smith, Emily          F     33:05
7.  Grace, Marnie         F     34:15    First one
8.  Steed, Gwen           F     36:33
9.  Barrow, Geoff         M     36:49
10. Doran, Anthony        M     37:14
            
VRWC 3km Walk            
1.  Imbriano, Joel        M     16:18    Eq. PB    
2.  Blackwood, Hamish     M     19:09
3.  Smith, Aiden          M     22:14    First one
            
VRWC 2km Walk            
1.  Uzun, Ela             F     13:47
2.  McPherson, Glennis    F     14:03
3.  Ali, Havana           F     14:35    PB 0:56
4.  Beaumont, Margaret    F     18:25
5.  Beaumont, Ian         M     18:27
            
VRWC 1km Walk            
1.  Paulke, Addison       F     06:44
2.  Mews, Pam             F     12:39

Thanks as always to our many officials, judges and helpers. Apologies if I have missed anyone.

Officials: Mark Donahoo, Ralph Bennett, Tim Erickson, Bill Carr
Judges: Peter Vysma, Gordon Loughnan, Terry O'Neill, Stuart Cooper, David Cash, Brenda Felton
Canteen: Donna-Marie Elms
Photos: Terry Swan

VRWC SUMMER CHAMPIONSHIPS, MIDDLE PARK, SUNDAY 18 NOVEMBER 2018

Our VRWC Summer Season roadwalking championships were held at Middle Park last Sunday, with 26 competitors competing in a typically warm and sunny Melbourne morning. We welcomed Kim Mottrom from South Australia and Erika Woodward from Queensland and both walked well. Kim fought out the Gus Theobold Trophy with Rhydian Cowley, going down 1:35:19 to 1:35:00, while Erika won the Heather Carr Trophy over 10km. No PBs for the day, perhaps a reflection of the warmer weather, mixed with the fact that nearly all the competitors had walked the day before in Athletics Victoria Shield competition. Well done to those who medalled in our club championships.

VRWC 20km Championship Men - Gus Theobold Trophy                    
1.  Rhydian Cowley      M      47:52    1:35:00
2.  Kim Mottrom         M      47:29    1:35:19
3.  Pramesh Prasad      M      51:57    1:51:29
    Adam Garganis       M      52:49    DNF
            
VRWC Open 20km            
1.  Michelle Thompson   F    1:03:50    2:10:11
2.  Madeleine Feain     F    1:04:16    2:10:22

VRWC 10km Championship Masters Women - Heather Carr Trophy            
1.  Erika Woodward      F    1:02:58
2.  Donna-Marie Elms    F    1:08:24
3.  Karyn O'Neill       F    1:09:47
            
VRWC Open 10km            
1.  Corey Dickson       M      50:38
2.  Philippa Huse       F      52:22
3.  Jemma Peart         F      57:05
4.  Charlotte Hay       F      59:35
5.  David Smyth         M    1:01:48
6.  Claire Samanna      F    1:03:06
7.  Terry O'Neill       M    1:06:46
    Mark Donahoo        M        DNF
            
VRWC 5km Championship U20            
1.  Alanna Peart        F      24:40
    
1.  Heath Beveridge     M      27:44
            
VRWC Open 5km            
1.  Simon Evans         M      28:59
2.  Ralph Bennett       M      31:55
3.  Russ Dickenson      M      37:07
            
VRWC 3km Championship U15            
1.  Emily Smith         F      18:22
            
1.  Marcus Wakim        M      17:40
            
VRWC Open 3km            
1.  Pam Mews            F      33:22
            
VRWC 1.5km Championship U9            
1.  Ela Uzun            F      10:08
2.  Havana Ali          F      10:45

Thanks as always to our judges, officials and helpers. Apologies if I have missed anyone.

Officials: Ralph Bennett, Mark Donahoo, Tim Erickson, Bill Carr, Heather Carr, Adam Garganis, Kevin Cassidy
Setup: Stuart Cooper, Shane Dickson, Donna Dickson, Tim Erickson, Peter Vysma, Wayne Peart
Judges: Peter Vysma (chief), Gordon Loughnan, Stuart Cooper, Terry O'Neill, Shane Dickson
Canteen: Wendy Cooper, Donna-Marie Elms
Photos: Donna Dickson
Lapsplits: http://vrwc.org.au/wp1/race-splits-laps/

VRWC ROAD RACES, MIDDLE PARK, SUNDAY 28 OCTOBER 2018

Many of the Victorian walkers who were in action in the Athletics Victoria Shield competition on Saturday afternoon were back in action at Middle Park on Sunday morning for the next round of the VRWC Summer Season. Conditions were good, with sunny weather and temperatures in low twenties. 22 walkers in total participated. Unfortunately, I could not be there as I was away in the country so thanks to club president Stuart Cooper for collating and forwarding the results to me.

Best effort by Corey Dickson (5km 24:09), and well done to Madeleine Feain and Havana Ali on their PBs. It was also good to see Philippa Huse chipping away at her 10km times (51:58) as she regains fitness as her study year comes to an end.  Finally, we also welcomed Tasmanian walker David Moore who did the 5km walk.

20km Walk         
1.  Madeleine Feain        Open    2:15:11.0    PB 0:17
        
1.  Rhydian Cowley         Open    1:38:15.8
2.  Quentin Rew            Open    1:38:16.0
3.  Kyle Swan              Open    1:39:33.8
4.  Pramesh Prasad         40-59   1:46:58.8
 
10km Walk
1.  Philippa Huse          Open      51:58.3
2.  Kylie Irshad           40-59   1:04:31.4
3.  Donna-Marie Elms       40-59   1:09:13.3
4.  Karyn O'Neill          60+     1:10:35.9

5km Walk    
1.  Corey Dickson          Open      24:09.7
2.  Heath Beveridge        Open      26:43.8
3.  Ralph Bennett          60+       31:35.1
4.  David Moore (TRWC)     60+       39:35.4

3km Walk         
1.  Sandra Howorth         40-59     22:34.9
2.  Pam Mews               60+       34:03.2
        
1.  Kevin Cassidy          40-59     16:06.7
2.  Marcus Wakim           U14       17:11.2
3.  Simon Evans            40-59     17:31.1
4.  Anthony Doran          60+       21:56.7

2km Walk        
1.  Ela Uzun               U10       13:37.6
2.  Havana Ali             U10       15:30.2    PB 0:15
        
1.  Aiden Smith            U12       14:46.8

Thanks as always to our judges, officials and helpers. Apologies if I have missed anyone.

Officials: Ralph Bennett, Terry Swan, Bill Carr, Heather Carr
Judges: Stuart Cooper, Shane Dickson, Gordon Loughnan, Terry O'Neill, Russ Dickenson
Canteen: Donna-Marie Elms
Photos: Terry Swan (see http://www.vrwc.org.au/piwigo/index.php?/category/520)
Lapsplits: (http://vrwc.org.au/wp1/race-splits-laps/)

VRWC TRACK RACES, MENTONE, WEDNESDAY 17 OCTOBER 2018

We had a good turnout of 24 walkers on Wednesday evening for our first VRWC 2018/2019 Summer Season meet at the Dolamore Athletics Track in Mentone. Conditions were just about perfect – cool, overcast and a slight breeze. Quentin Rew led the way in our 10,000m walk, winning with a swift 44:49, not a bad effort considering he had walked the Melbourne Marathon 3 days previously.  Albin Hess (1:12:22) and Karyn O’Neill (20:16) had also completed the walk in the full Melbourne Marathon so they did well to back up so quickly for further punishment! Megan Szirom (24:56) and Kyle Bird (14:32) were easy winners in the 5000m/3000m walks. It was good to welcome Kevin Cassidy back after a long health related outage – Kevin walked a good 16:30 for the 3000m. The 1500m saw a number of our youngsters in action, ably led by Emily Smith who zoomed around in 8:22. We also welcomed first time Marnie Grace who recorded 10:39. Welcome Marnie!

And well done to 8 year old Addison Paulke who set a new VRWC U9 1500m track walk (girls) club record with her time of 10:30.

10,000m Walk               
1.  Quentin Rew         M       44:49
2.  Pramesh Prasad      M       50:04
3.  Albin Hess          M     1:12:22
               
5000m Walk               
1.  Megan Szirom        F       24:56
2.  Ralph Bennett       M       30:30
3.  Kylie Irshad        F       31:27
               
3000m Walk               
1.  Kyle Bird           M       14:32
2.  Kevin Cassidy       M       16:30
3.  David Smyth         M       16:54
4.  Simon Evans         M       17:04
5.  Cassie Knight       F       17:22
6.  Julian Boland       M       18:49
7.  Rupert Van Dongen   M       18:58
8.  Alannah Dingli      F       19:35
9.  Isabella Dingli     F       19:37    PB 0:03
10. Karyn O'Neill       F       20:16
11. Sandra Howorth      F       23:20
       Gwen Steed       F         DNF
               
1500m Walk               
1.  Emily Smith         F       08:22    PB
2.  Alannah  Upson      F       08:53    PB 0:01
3.  Addison Paulke      F       10:30
4.  Aiden Smith         M       10:36
5.  Marnie Grace        F       10:39    First walk with us
6.  Pam Mews            F       19:16

Thanks as always to our officials and judges. Apologies for anyone I have missed.

Officials: Tim Erickson, Heather Carr, Bill Carr, Terry O'Neill
Judges: Shane Dickson (Chief), Stuart Cooper, Brenda Felton, Dave Cash, Michael Bodey
Photos: Terry Swan (see http://www.vrwc.org.au/piwigo/index.php?/category/519)