While the long is a runaway, eyes have turned to watch the very close race for the short course crown, where three runners are spread across only four points.

Marcel Guidolin leads on 163 points, to son Stephan on 160, while Callum Vecchio is clipping heels on 159 and is supported by coach of the year Tracy who sits fourth in the pointscore but much further back.

Fly in the ointment is Imogen Bonny who took another win this week and attempts a hat trick next race, while Catherine Lancaster ran a ‘minutes faster’ personal best for second place, and Lily Mingay has come from nowhere for third.

Numbers in the short run have regularly topped those in the long run, and the standard of running is also on the increase with a host of regular speedsters, plenty in the middle of the pack, while the back end is propped up by a strong group of oldies and walkers – all in all there is something for everyone.

Andres Alduan crossed first in the 7.7km long run this week, pipping Nicole Dehnert on the line, and increasing his lead in the pointscore toward ‘dead-cert’ status.

However, rumour has it that Alduan is taking on the City to Surf and his absence from the hill may let his rivals back with a chance, and Chris Barbagallo almost fifty points behind is keen to take that chance.

If he takes good points in race eight, and has a face off with a tired-legged Alduan in race nine, Barbagallo could do it.

Numbers will be dramatically down on the hill this week, particularly in the long run, as a bus load and more of Joggers are packing their bags for the annual City to Surf, and it will be a good day for the leftovers to get high placings.

Two weeks later will be the running of the annual Lakesview Classic.

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.