It was a clean sweep for Horsham runners in the Stawell Amateur Athletic Club’s Stephen Baird 16 kilometre handicap at Stawell at the weekend.
Sharon Howden managed to win despite taking a tumble near the finish line.
Howden finished five seconds ahead of Vicki Tyler with Colin Barnett coming third, backing up his 10 kilometre win in his previous race.
Howden suffered a lapse of concentration in the Stawell’s Run for Ray at Stawell which Barnett went on to win, running an extra kilometre after accidentally running off course.
Howden said it was good to make amends for the mistake.
“I had Vicki close behind me for the whole race and that fall near the finish could have cost me the race,” she said.
“I think it is the marathon training that got me there.”
Both Howden and Taylor as well as their husband’s have been involved with the club for many years, playing a big role in participating in as well as organising races.
A significant amount of runners from outside Stawell visit the track to compete, providing a welcome addition to the club’s numbers.
The challenge of hilly tracks is the main attraction.
Horsham runners once outnumbered locals in previous years and they continue to flock to compete and enjoy the hilly challenges.
The Horsham runners enjoy a lot of success when running in the longer races available. Due to the lack of hills available in Horsham, the runners train across longer distances.
In the sub-juniors race over one kilometre, Jay Jay Nitschke prevailed over Olivia Hunter and brother Jordan Nitschke.
There is no race this coming Saturday.
The club will get back into action on Saturday, September 16 for the 10 kilometre Young’s Sportspower race.
The Ararat Cross Country Club will return from a bye this Sunday, September 10, to tackle the King of the Hill race.
