Athletes Julie Hertz, Sue Blizzard and Rhonda Rice were the three place getters in the final race of the year adding some excitment to the usual competition. 

Officials were assured it had happened several times before in the club’s 47 years history, but time constraints prevented research prior to 1983.

The nearest to the last trifecta was in the 2006 Sportspower Handicap in which Leonie Cowey, Laura Reynolds and Gaynor Radovic finished in the first four but were split by perennial placegetter Peter Gibson.

It was a race so long ago that it had not only slipped the memory of club veterans, but all three female runners have since left the club.

Veteran Julie Hertz showed that girl power could emulate anything the men could do by completing a Hertz family double.

Julie followed in her husband John’s footsteps after his win in the Clem Hall Memorial the week before.

Not long back from a trip to Europe with John for the Master’s Games, Julie was genuinely surprised with the win, only her second with the club in the five kilometre President’s Handicap.

Blizzard and Rice, two of the big improvers this year, chased best.

“I’m not a hill runner and it’s a long climb to the top,” the 58-year-old said.

“I didn’t think I went well enough to win but I’m thrilled to have done it, especially so soon after John’s win.”

Fastest time in the race of 19.18 was the new Club Champion, Paul Fenn who distinguished himself by being the quickest in all 16 races he contested this season.

Adrian Van Raaphorst finally landed a coveted first Aggregate after several seconds and thirds in 520 starts since joining the club.

He was able to pip promising young gun Mike Jamieson by a solitary point.

Results: 

1 JULIE HERTZ 30.18, 2 Sue Blizzard, 3 Rhonda Rice,

4 John Hertz, 5 Adrian van Raaphorst, 6 Gary Saunders,

7 Chris Barwick, 8 Mike Jamieson, 9 Sandra Bywaters,

10 Jack Trounson. Fastest time: Paul Fenn 19.18.