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.

VRWC AND AV TRACK WALKS, GEORGE KNOTT RESERVE, CLIFTON HILL, WEDNESDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2022

18 walkers gathered at the Collingwood Harriers Track at Clifton Hill last night for our last VRWC summer season meet. Conditions were just about perfect and we saw plenty of PBs as walkers prepare for the forthcoming championships. Knox Athletics Club dominated the AV 5000m Teams Walk, taking gold and silver in the women’s race and gold in the men’s race. Overall wins to Charlotte Hay (PB 23:57) and Marcus Wakim (PB 21:53) but big PB walks also from Mietta Morgan, Riley Coughlan, Eden Morgan and Daniel Pashutin.

AV 5000m Walk Teams Championship Women        
1.  Char Hay                 KNA    23:57    PB 0:31
2.  Maddison Nash            KNA    26:59
3.  Ariana Pashutina         KNA    27:34
4.  Grace Louey              KNA    28:07
5.  Emily Smith              KNA    28:17
6.  Mietta Morgan            KNA    28:48    PB 2:09
    Gwen Steed               GHY    DNS
    Heather Carr             GHY    DNS
    Kaitlyn Siviour          WES    DNS
            
Teams            
1.  KNA    Char Hay, Maddison Nash, Ariana Pashutina       6 pts
2.  KNA    Grace Louey, Emily Smith, Mietta Morgan        15 pts

AV 5000m Walk Teams Championship Men                        
1.  Marcus Wakim             COL    21:53    PB 1:27
2.  Riley Coughlan           KNA    23:50    PB 0:13
3.  Adam Garganis            COL    24:01
4.  Eden Morgan              KNA    24:10    PB 1:22
5.  Daniel Pashutin          KNA    27:58    PB 0:58
    David Smyth              COL    DNS
    Mark Blackwood           KNA    DNS

Teams            
1.  KNA    Riley Coughlan, Eden Morgan, Daniel Pashutin    6 pts

We had a number of VRWC races to round out the competition, and 10 year old Ela Uzun was in record breaking mode once again, with her 1500m time of 7:15 not only bettering her own U11 club record but also bettering 2021 Olympian Bec Henderson’s U12 club record of 7:17! Andrew Jamieson also walked well, his M75 time of 28:10 just outside Tom Daintry’s 1987 M75 club record of 28:02. PBs to Havana Ali, Beau McKinnon and Addison Paulke and welcome to first timer Alayna Paulke.

VRWC 5000m Walk Open        
1.  Madeleine Feain          26:17
2.  Andrew Jamieson          28:10
3.  Simon Evans              28:58
    
VRWC 1500m Walk Open    
1.  Ela Uzun                  7:15    VRWC U11 & U12 Club Records
2.  Havana Ali                7:47    PB 0:21
3.  Beau McKinnon             9:07    PB 0:21
4.  Addison Paulke            9:36    PB 0:34    
        
VRWC 1100m Walk Open        
1.  Alayna Paulke             7:52    First walk with us

Thanks as always to all the officials, judges and helpers.

Officials: Terry Swan, Mark Donahoo, Tim Erickson, David Smyth, Gerard Feain
Judges: Stuart Cooper (Chief), Fran Attard, Ezo Ali, Kathleen Marsh
Photos: Terry Swan (see http://www.vrwc.org.au/piwigo/index.php?/category/592) 

VRWC ROADWALKS, MIDDLE PARK, SUNDAY 16 JANUARY 2022

While most of Australia’s walking elite did battle at the AIS Supernova meet in Canberra, onlookers at Middle Park were not to be dudded as a small but eager entry of 34 walkers hit the course on a warm, humid morning, returning six PBs and several first-time efforts.
 
Highlight of the morning was the 10km tussle between Marcus Wakim and Fraser Saunder. The tall Ballaratian set a hot pace from the gun with Marcus working to stay in touch. Eventually the Collingwood walker eased to the front with Fraser hard on his heels, Marcus pulling away in a fast finish to win by 5secs. Both boys smashed their PBs with times of 46:25 and 46:30 respectively, and their future duels are keenly anticipated.

It was pleasing to see Jasmin Hass returning to the club with a creditable 58:41, while newcomer Geromi Tucker also gave a good account of himself in his first 10km. Madeleine Feain and Ariana Pashutina were the only ones to test themselves in the heat over the longer distances, walking together until Ariana stopped with  her first 15km time logged. Madeleine, as ever, mocked the hot conditions to finish the 20km in fine style. In the 5km event, Kate Siviour found conditions to her liking, producing a massive 2:49 PB of 26:43, while Jade Chitty also lowered her previous best, continuing the steady improvement she’s shown in AVSL this summer. Speedy cousins Ela Uzun (15:37) and Havana Ali (17:18) quinella’d in the 3km, and we were pleased to welcome Alejandro Stephens in his first walk with us for a good first-up 19:18. Kelsey Loudon (2km) and Violet Froon (1km) were impressive in winning their races, with Matilda Read and  Aydin Uzun having good PB performances

20km Walk        
1.  Madeleine Feain           F    2:05:23

15km Walk        
1.  Ariana Pashutina          F    1:31:25    First one

10km Walk        
1.  Char Hay                  F      55:35
2.  Jasmin Hass               F      58:41
3.  Emily Smith               F    1:01:10

1.  Marcus Wakim              M      46:25    PB 0:37
2.  Fraser Saunder            M      46:30    PB 1:17
3.  Andrew Jamieson           M    1:00:08
4.  Geromi Tucker             M    1:04:30    First one
5.  Daniel Pashutin           M    1:05:39
6.  Terry O'Neill             M    1:05:45
       
5km Walk        
1.  Kate Siviour              F      26:43    PB 2:49
2.  Jade Chitty               F      28:18    PB 0:15
3.  Heather Carr              F      32:20
4.  Marnie Grace              F      36:07
5.  Karyn O'Neill             F      37:04

1.  Simon Evans               M      29:32
2.  Geoff Barrow              M      37:11
    David Smyth               M        DNF   3km in 18:45
        
3km Walk        
1.  Ela Uzun                  F      15:37
2.  Havana Ali                F      17:18
3.  Donna-Marie Elms          F      19:49
4.  Tracy Colbert             F      20:01
5.  Merilyn Thompson          F      20:48
6.  Gwen Steed                F      21:37

1.  Alejandro Stephens        M      19:18    First one
                
2km Walk        
1.  Kelsei Loudon             F      12:48
2.  Charlotte MacDonell       F      13:10
3.  Matilda Read              F      13:48    PB 0:45     
        
1km Walk        
1.  Violet Froon              F       7:29
2.  Pam Mews                  F      12:49

1.  Haris Ali                 M       7:36
2.  Aydin Uzun                M       7:42    PB 0:18
3.  Lachlan MacDonell         M       7:45
        
Thanks as always to the many officials,judges and helpers who ensure our race meets run smoothly on each and every occasion.

Officials: Mark Donahoo, Simon Baker, Bill Carr
Judges: Gordan Loughnan (Chief), Stuart Cooper, Diane Lowden, Peter Price, David Cash
Set up & Pack up: Stuart Cooper, Donna-Marie Elms, Gerard Feain, Terry Swan
Photos: Terry Swan (see http://www.vrwc.org.au/piwigo/index.php?/category/591)

VRWC TRACK WALKS, GEORGE KNOTT RESERVE, CLIFTON HILL, WEDNESDAY 1 DECEMBER 2021

Only a few braved a huge Melbourne storm front to make their way to the Collingwood Harriers track on Wednesday evening for some mid-week VRWC track walks. They made the right choice, with the weather clearing just in time for the starting gun. Kyle Swan was by far the quickest walker with a swift 12:07 in the 3000m, while 10 year old Ela Uzun set new U11 and U12 club record with her time of 14:58. Riley Coughlan also did well with a big PB of 24:03 in the 5000m walk.

5000m Walk            
Riley Coughlan                M    24:03    PB 1:15
Madeleine Feain               F    26:36
Emily Smith                   F    29:22
            
3000m Walk            
Kyle Swan                     M    12:07
Ela Uzun                      F    14:58    PB 0:17, VRWC U11 & U12 Club Records
Char Hay                      F    15:56
Havana Ali                    F    17:28
            
1500m Walk            
Kylie Irshad                  F     8:19
Heather Carr                  F     8:52
Donna-Marie Elms              F     9:19
Tracy Colbert                 F     9:43

Thanks to our officials and judges who we rely on every week.

Officials: Terry Swan, Mark Donahoo, Donna Dickson, Mrs Hay, Gerard Feain, Kevin Cassady        
Judges: Stuart Cooper, Shane Dickson, Michael Bodey, Ezo Uzun
Photos: Terry Swan (see https://www.vrwc.org.au/piwigo/index.php?/category/588)

VRWC ROADWALKS, MIDDLE PARK, SUNDAY 14 NOVEMBER 2021

It was a cold and breezy Sunday morning for the start of the VRWC Summer Season but we saw a healthy meet size of 35 walkers. It had been a long time since our last VRWC races – Sunday 1st August to be exact – and I think we could hear the collective sighs of appreciation from across Melbourne! It followed on from round one of the Athletics Victoria Shield competition on Saturday and, for most of the walkers, this was their second walk for the weekend.

Our underage Club Championships (U11, U13, U15 and U20) were contested, with small fields but good performances.

1.5km 10yr VRWC Championship        
1.  Julia Baldy               F       9:41
2.  Violet Froon              F      10:50
        
1.5km 12yr VRWC Championship    
1.  Matilda Read              F       9:20
       
1.  Damian Baldy              M       8:01
        
3km U15 VRWC Championship    
1.  Ela Uzun                  F      15:31
2.  Havana Ali                F      17:34
        
5km U20 VRWC Championship    
1.  Mietta Morgan             F      30:57
       
1.  Scott Peart               M      26:00

We also featured a number of Open races (1.5km, 3km, 5km and 10km), with the 10km providing the highlights of the day, with Olympians Kyle Swan (43:10) and Bec Henderson (47:09) showcasing their stuff. Also making his presence felt was 15 year old Marcus Wakim who posted a time of 47:02 in his first ever 10km walk. Add in 14 year old Riley Coughlan who did a 7 minute PB of 49:28 and 18 year old Alanna Peart who was close to her PB with 48:35. Then further back, youngsters Eden Morgan, Ariana Pashutina, Maddison Nash, Emily Smith and Daniel Pashutin also impressed over the longer distance. Great stuff! And I must mention that we welcomed Brad Simpson back for his first club walk in over 6 years.
         
Open 10km race        
1.  Kyle Swan                 M      43:10
2.  Marcus Wakim              M      47:02    First one
3.  Bec Henderson             F      47:09
4.  Mark Blackwood            M      47:09
5.  Alanna Peart              F      48:35
6.  Brad Simpson              M      49:17    First in ages!
7.  Riley Coughlan            M      49:28    PB 7:06
8.  Eden Morgan               M      55:21    PB 2:10
9.  Madeleine Feain           F      55:26
10. Ariana Pashutina          F      55:36    PB 0:26
11. Maddison Nash             F      58:32    First one
12. Emily Smith               F      59:06
13. Daniel Pashutin           M    1:00:03    First one
14. Bruce Watt *              M    1:24:23
        
Open 5km race        
1.  Simon Evans               M      30:04
2.  David Smyth               M      31:09
3.  Heather Carr              F      32:31
4.  Gerard Feain              M      34:49
5.  Karyn O'Neill             F      36:33
        
Open 3km race        
1.  Kevin Cassidy             M      16:42
2.  Kylie Irshad              F      17:32
3.  Marnie Grace              F      20:33
4.  Margaret Beaumont         F      29:26
5.  Ian Beaumont              M      29:33
       
Open 1.5km race        
1.  Donna- Marie Elms         F       9:14
2.  Tracy Colbert             F      10:13
3.  Gwen Steed                F      10:21

Thanks as always to our judges, officials and helpers who ensure our races go off without any hiccups each week.

Officials: Mark Donahoo, Simon Baker, Tony Doran, Emily Swan, Doreen Swan, Char Hay, Bill Carr, Ian Laurie, Terry Swan,
Judges: Stu Cooper (Chief), David Cash, Di Lowden, Peter Price, Terry O'Neill
Set up & Pack up: Stu Cooper, Gerard Feain, Madeline Feain, Kyle Swan, Terry Swan, Karyn O'Neill
Photos: Terry Swan (see https://www.vrwc.org.au/piwigo/index.php?%2Fcategory%2F587)