The turnout suggested many runners have returned from holidays and are raring to go.

Will Lyons led the field home with a great performance, but the new face running through the field to claim second at the line was Dave Gilbert.

Joggers will have to watch out for him as he claims age, lack of training, and other defects, but second off a 10-minute handicap suggests there is some underlying talent.

Just behind and coaching Gilbert was Peter Stockwell, with the bulk of the field filing across the line over the next few minutes.

The navigation was much improved in the short course this week thanks to a well-placed witches hat, although it is amazing that a few did not notice.

At 2.4km, the course was one of the shortest tracks of the year. The two back markers, Jessica Alpen and John Farranato, ran together off nine minutes.

They also crossed together at the line to get the best times of the day after stopping the clock at 11min 59sec.

There is just one more of the BeSocial series before the Bacchus competition begins. This week Adam Johnson is keen to notch his 3K.

The Griffith Feral Joggers run every Saturday from the water tower at Scenic Hill at 5.30pm.

Runners are asked to arrive early to register for the day’s event.