Following the success of the Flexible Solutions Bacchus on the Lake at Easter, the Griffith Feral Joggers reformed on Scenic Hill on Saturday.
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It was a much more sedate mood for race one of the winter competition compared to the frantic lake run.
However, it was perhaps not the best name for the competition going by the warm and sultry conditions Saturday produced.
The results seemed a little lukewarm as well but expect to see the pace crackle as the thermometer drops in the coming weeks.
Several new names appeared at the top of the list this week.
This was partly due to new resolutions by some and partly to others relaxing after the tough Bacchus campaign.
Gerry Wilcox is more often a short course runner but he has jumped back to the long course now the distance and weather suit him.
It was a good move as he scored a win – perhaps being coached by his mate Adrian on the ins and outs of trophy hunting – and we can expect to see more from this runner.
Karin Penninga returned from a year away for second in a handy but understated time. This one can run, but it is too often away from the hill.
Ron Anson at third is no surprise, although a little erratic in performance. There is promise here thanks to his early morning long distance training.
Also new to the stud list were Are Abera at fifth and Mia Stockwell at ninth who cruised in her first attempt at the long course after a three-year apprenticeship in the short.
It was not such a struggle for the runner who took a podium place at the five-kilometre Bacchus Sprint event last week.
Sharon Careri and Rodney Savage also cruised but recorded fastest times of 31:21 and 25:39 for the 6.1-kilometre course.
Steven Bourke at seventh still has last competition’s speed but not the same comfort level.
Further back, Mechlene Nehme and Melissa DeBortoli successfully negotiated their first outing on the long course and Paul Muir took a slap on the wrist for jumping the start.
Not last, Dom Calabria celebrated his 6000th kilometre. He’s only the second to do so after John Dodd.
In the short, Milla Vecchio – current holder of the Surfer trophy – flew to win with a time much quicker than a year ago.
Cooper Savage did the same in second and goes to show what a difference a year can make at this age.
Megan Callcut at third is still a relative newcomer to the hill but has plenty of experience of talk at the family dinner table and is starting to find her legs and pace.
Alex Careri at fifth was stretched to the max while escorting a very quick visitor and took fastest with his 16:33.
Ella Savage was fastest at sixth with her 18:12.
Bacchus results, certificates and photos of the event are available from the Bacchus website griffithbacchus.org.au.
The next open event on the local calendar is the PinnacleHPC Half on the Hill in June.
The Griffith Joggers run from the water tower opposite Pioneer Park each Saturday at 4:30pm with a choice of short or long over the tracks and trails of the hill – be early to enter.