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 TRACK RACES, MENTONE, TUESDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2023

The disappointment of having to postpone the AV Teams race was partly offset by the attendance of a bevy of first-timers and youngsters, many seeking a race over their Little Athletics distances with an eye to the Region and State finals coming up. Well done to Mentone coach and committee man Rupert Van Dongen for advertising the event and encouraging several young athletes to attend.

Andrew Newboult and Alayna Paulke were the quickest of the 1100m competitors, clocking 6:38 and 7:21 respectively. Kevin Cassidy – a long way from his Little A days – walked the fastest 1500m, easing back in after a bout of injury. We were pleased to welcome John Nottle back to the club, after an absence which began in the 1970s but has happily ended. Addison Paulke showed a turn of speed to outlast newcomer Mia Fary, 9:04 to 9:19. Kylie Irshad and Simon Evans took line honours in the 3000m, with Marnie Zakis missing her 5000m PB by a single second, 32:43.

1100m Walk Open
1.  Andrew Newboult        M     6:38
2.  Harry Newboult         M     8:55

1.  Alayna Paulke          F     7:21
2.  Sydney Buensch         F     8:23
3.  Tiffany Jade           F     9:06

3000m Walk Open
1.  Simon Evans            M    18:53
2.  Paul Moritz            M    21:19

1.  Kylie Irshad           F    18:16
2.  Heather Carr           F    19:38

1500m Walk Open
1.  Kevin Cassidy          M     8:30
2.  John Nottle            M    10:20

1.  Addison Paulke         F     9:04
2.  Mia Fary               F     9:19

5000m Walk Open
1.  Marnie Zakis           F    32:43
2.  Karyn O’Neill          F    36:38

Finally, many thanks to all officials and helpers whose work and assistance made the event a successful one.

Race Referee: Stu Cooper
Race Entries: Stu Cooper
Timekeepers: Terry Swan, Gwen Steed, Kevin Cassidy, Aaron Newboult
Starter: Stu Cooper
Judges: Brenda Felton (chief), David Cash, Terry O’Neill, Ralph Bennett, Tony Doran

VRWC ROAD RACES, MIDDLE PARK, SUNDAY 15 JANUARY 2023

A healthy field of 24 walkers fronted at Middle Park on Sunday morning for our first VRWC roadwalks of the year. Best effort definitely went to Bob Gardiner who set a new M85 2km club record with his time of 16:27. Good efforts also from Riley Coughlan, Daniel Pashutin, Matilda Read and Zoe and Lily Bowkett.

20km Open
1.  Kylie Irshad           F    2:10:09 
2.  Marnie Zakis           F    2:20:11       
    Geromi Tucker          M        DNF

15km Open           
1.  Alejandro Stephens     M    1:32:26

10km Open
1.  Riley Coughlan         M      49:00
2.  Eden Morgan            M      53:17      
3.  Gerard Feain           M    1:06:36
4.  Karyn O’Neill          F    1:16:19
   
5km Open
1.  Maddison Nash          F      27:13
2.  Ariana Pashutina       F      29:06       
3.  Emily Smith            F      29:25
       
3km Open 
1.  Daniel Pashutin        M      15:27         
2.  Mietta Morgan          F      18:09
3.  Heather Carr           F      20:16
           
2km Open 
1.  Matilda Read           F      12:07    PB 0:08
2.  Donna-Marie Elms       F      12:56         
3.  Gwen Steed             F      14:57
4.  Bob Gardiner           M      16:27    New VRWC M85 Record
           
1km Open 
1.  Zoe Bowkett            F       5:54        
2.  Lily Bowkett           F       6:13
3.  Anouk Morgan           F       6:35
4.  Pippa Read             F       6:48

Thanks as always to our many judges, officials and helpers.

Recorders: Mark Donahoo, Madeleine Feain, Anthony Doran, Stu Cooper
Referee: Terry Swan
Judges: Gordan Loughnan  (Chief), David Cash, Di Lowden, Peter Price, Terry O'Neill, Brenda Felton, Ralph Bennett
Set up & Pack up: Stu Cooper, Gerard Feain, Madeline Feain, Dave, Terry Swan
Bike Rider: Terry Swan

VRWC TRACK RACES, ABERFELDIE TRACK, THURSDAY 12 JANUARY 2023

A very small turnout for the VRWC races at Moonee Ponds last Wednesday evening.   
               
5000m Walk Open
1.  Alejandro Stephens     M    26:15
               
3000m Walk Open
1.  Kylie Irshad           F    19:20
2.  Merilyn Thompson       F    22:25
               
2000m Walk Open
1.  Bob Gardiner           M    16:21
               
1100m Walk Open
1.  Zoe Bowkett            F    06:33
1.  Lily Bowkett           F    06:44

Thanks to our officials and judges

Officials: Mark Donahoo, Kevin Cassidy
Judges: Kathleen Marsh (Chief),   Stu Cooper

VRWC TRACK RACES, MENTONE, THURSDAY 1 DECEMBER 2022

A small contingent of walkers make the trip south to Mentone last Thursday evening for the latest round of VRWC track races. It's a long drive on a week night so the low numbers were understandable, but nonetheless disappointing. The judges and officials nearly outnumbered the walkers! Thanks to all those who could make it.
    
5000m Walk Open            
1.  Kate Siviour           F    26:11
            
3000m Walk Open            
1.  Jade Chitty            F    15:43
2.  Kylie Irshad           F    17:08
3.  Heather Carr           F    19:01
4.  Donna-Marie Elms       F    19:11
5.  Marnie Zakis           F    19:16
            
1.  Kevin Cassidy          M    16:22
2.  David Smyth            M    17:43
3.  Rupert Van Dongen      M    23:36
            
1500m Walk Open            
1.  Geoff Barrow           M    10:42
            
1100m Walk Open            
1.  Riley Debono           M     7:05    First Timer

Thanks as always to our officials and judges.

Officials: Mark Donahoo, Stuart Cooper, Anthony Doran, Karyn O'Neill        
Judges: Brenda Fenton (Chief), David Cash, Terry O'Neill, Peter Price, Ralph Bennett

VRWC ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS, MIDDLE PARK, SUNDAY 20 NOVEMBER 2022

Sunday morning saw the VRWC Summer Road Walk Championships at Middle Park. It had rained significantly overnight and we arrived to find the course flooded in a number of places. Thanks to Stuart Cooper, Gerard and Madeleine Feain, Ralph Bennett and Terry O'Neill who manned the bucket and broom brigade and had everything ship shape by race time. Although it was a windy morning, the rain stayed away and the races were held in generally fine conditions.

There were a number of VRWC Club Championships on offer, with results as shown below. The highlight was provided by 16 year old Marcus Wakim whose 5km road walk time of 21:23 bettered the current Australian U18 record. He shared the track with 15 year old Riley Coughlan for the first 3km (Riley did an excellent 12:38) and then came home strongly on his own. Not to be outdone, 11 year old Ela Uzun won the U12 1.5km walk in a time of 7:10, bettering our current VRWC U12 and U13 records.

20km Open Men's VRWC Gus Theobald Championship         
1.  Alejandro Stephens       M    1:57:42
 
10km Masters Women VRWC Heather Carr Championship        
1.  Sarah Brennan            F      56:40
2.  Kylie Irshad             F    1:02:45
          
5km Un20 VRWC Championship        
1.  Marcus Wakim             M      21:23   Aust U18 Best
        
1.  Ariana Pashutina         F      28:14

3km Un16 VRWC Championship        
1.  Riley Coughlan           M      12:38
2.  Daniel Pashutin          M      16:04
        
1.  Matilda Read             F      18:48

1.5km Un12 VRWC Championship        
1.  Ela Uzun                 F       7:10   PB 0:08
2.  Havana Ali               F       8:06   PB 0:02
3.  Makenzie Davis           F      10:35   First walk with us
        
1.  Levi Robertson           M       8:02   PB 0:09
                        
1km Un10 VRWC Championship        
1.  Haris Ali                M       7:22
2.  Aydin Uzun               M       9:37
        
1.  Jaida Robertson          F       6:10
2.  Pippa Read               F       6:51

We also had a number of non-championship club races to round out the morning's racing and we were very pleased to see two of our top walker in action, namely Will Thompson and Declan Tingay. Will, who has just celebrated his twentieth birthday, zoomed through the 10km with a time of 40:42, while Declan was not far behind with 41:37.
       
Open 10km race        
1.  Will Thompson            M      40:42
2.  Declan Tingay            M      41:37
3.  Simon Evans              M    1:05:26
        
Open 5km race        
1.  Donna-Marie Elms         F      33:44
        
1.  Kevin Cassidy            M      27:53
2.  Gerard Feain             M      33:30
   
Open 3km Race        
1.  Heather Carr             F      21:22
2.  Merilyn Thompson         F      22:17

Thanks to our many officials, judges and helpers.        

Officials:  Mark Donahoo (Race Director/Referee), Ian Laurie, Madeleine Feain, Tim Erickson     
Judges:  Gordan Loughnan  (Chief), David Cash, Stu Cooper, Peter Price, Terry O'Neill, Anthony Doran, Ralph Bennett       
Set up & Pack up: Stu Cooper, Gerard Feain, Madeline Feain, Mark Donahoo, Ian Laurie, Tim Erickson, Gordan Loughnan       
Bike Rider: Tim Erickson

We also welcomed Runners World Kew proprieter Neil Ryan. Neil presented our Runners World Winter Awards which were won by Marcus Wakim and Ela Uzun. We also presented the AV Winter Season Perpetual Trophies which were awarded as follows

Norm Goble Trophy     Most points earned in Men’s AV Championships     Rhydian Cowley      (Glenhuntly AC)
Betty Newman Trophy   AV Women’s Walking Team Aggregate                Ballarat YCW        (Alanna Peart, Sarah Brennan)
Avis Redman Trophy    Best U16 Girl                                    Ariana Pashutina    (Knox Athletics)
Tom Daintry Trophy    Best U14 Girl                                    Ela Uzun            (Athletics Essendon)
Bob Gardiner Shield   Best U14/U16 Boy                                 Riley Coughlan      (Knox Athletics)
Simon Baker Shield    Best U18 Boy                                     Marcus Wakim        (Collingwood Harriers)

VRWC TRACK WALKS, ABERFELDIE ATHLETICS TRACK, MOONEE PONDS, TUESDAY 11 OCTOBER 2022

Our VRWC track races last Tuesday evening at the Aberfeldie Athletics Track saw only 8 walkers in attendance. Little did we realise that 2 days later, the track would be indundated under several feet of walkers, in a once in a generation flood that encompassed most of Victoria.
           
5000m Walk Open           
1.  Marcus Wakim                M    21:46
           
3000m Walk Open           
1.  Riley Coughlin              M    13:10
2.  Kylie Irshad                F    16:45
3.  David Smyth                 M    18:15
4.  Cody Wapshott               M    20:45
           
           
1500m Walk Open           
1.  Donna-Marie Elms            F     8:55
2.  Amelia Vernal               F     9:10
           
1100m Walk Open           
    Ethan White                 M      DNF

Thanks to those officials and judges who supported the meet. Your help is always appreciated.

Officials: Terry Swan, Mrs Coughlin, Duncan Knox, Kevin Cassidy       
Judges: Kathleen Marsh(Chief), Mark Donahoo, Ezo Ali