The firm packed sand track was a welcome change for the runners from the rocky tracks of Scenic Hill.

The long run was 12 kilometres and started with a steadily steepening two-kilometre climb over the hills.

Aidan Fattore attacked the hills from the start line and left no one in any doubt about his intentions.

Adam Johnson followed in pursuit in his usual crash or crash through style.

Behind those two was the rest of the pack – which included Rodney Savage, Vince Restagno, Mark Andreazza, and Derek Goullet – well back and settling in for the long haul.

By the top of the hill the pack had stretched to single file.

Pack leader Savage was by no means done and began chipping away at the two leaders.

He claimed the scalp of Johnson at the halfway point and then slowly started pulling in Fattore as well.

Savage was almost within reach of Fattore when the leader used the energy he’d left in the tank to kick away.

In doing so, Fattore retained the title he won last year as Savage finished 20 seconds back and maintained a good record after two previous wins.

Johnson did enough to claim third place.

Nicole Restagno claimed her ninth win in this event.

It was a triumphant return to the podium after winning eight out of nine runs between 2002 and 2010.

Restagno led comfortably the whole way.

Further back there were tussles and switching of the minor places as Tracey Josling went out hard followed by Lena Sergi.

However, Sharon Careri slowly brought them both back to secure second place – two minutes behind Restagno.

Careri finished just 15 seconds in front of the third-placed Josling.

A massive mud puddle at the halfway point created interest and extra washing but did little to affect placings.

There were some creditable performances back in the field with Elio Minato in 37^th overall and third in his age group, John Dodd in 31st overall and second in his age and John Johns in 27^th overall and first in his age.

The short course was run over the tried and proven three-kilometre Nericon loop.

Alex Robinson took the honours outright for the third time in four years.

He finished just ahead of Tony Gullo in a tight sprint to the line.

In third was Anthony Trefilo.

Isabella Salmon also made it three titles out of four starts.

Salmon finished ahead of Breanna Restagno and Ella Savage in second and third respectively.

This week running will return to Scenic Hill for the start of the Arsova competition.

There will be a choice of short – 3.3- kilometre – or long – 5.4-kilometre – courses and will be the last competition of the Feral Joggers’ year.