Rumour became fact when competition leader Andres Alduan failed to show at the start line on Scenic Hill on Saturday, attacking Sydney streets instead, and this now leaves both long and short course competitions wide open for the final race this week.
In his absence, Chris Barbagallo took full advantage of the situation and pulled out a very big second place in the C2S reduced field, and gives himself a chance of catching Alduan in the final race.
Barbagallo is now thirteen points behind which is just three placings at the front end of the field if both runners place that high, but more further down the field.
No one else is in with a chance for the crown so they will all be spectating and cheering from ‘on course’.
In the Short course, Stefan Guidolin eighth and Marcel Guidolin tenth stole a few points over Callum Vecchio at thirteenth but anything could happen this week and probably will, with just seven points across all three, one of them will take the trophy.
Narelle Lagergren claimed line honours and fastest time for the 7.7km long course with Barbagallo second and Peter Stockwell third, while Rodney Savage was a docile fastest in the reduced field of 25, the smallest turnout probably since this time last year.
Line honours in the 3.1km short course went to virgin Jogger Henry Johns who was chaperoned by mother Belinda but left her floundering on the track to take an easy first, but after Henry the placings were very tight.
Belinda, James Dal Broi and Connor Dal Broi tied for second, and the rest of the top ten were hot on their heels, while Ava Low with 15:42 and Delroy and Pearson Kasawaya with 14:46 were fastest.
While Henry Johns triumphed, Grandad John Johns broke the start by a minute for an unfortunate disqualification.
The final race of the Surfer competition is this week, with the annual Lakesview Classic the following week, and then the start of the Arsova competition as the weather begins to warm up.
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.
Standings
Long Course
1. Andres Alduan 194
2. Chris Baragallo 181
3. Rod Bortolin 153
4. Narelle Lagergren 128
5. Aidan Fattore 114
6. Peter Stockwell 114
7. Matthew Ross 113
Short Course
1. Marcel Guidolin 184
2. Stefan Guidolin 183
3. Callum Vecchio 177
4. Tracy Vecchio 143
5. Catherine Lancaster 117
6. Connor Dal Broi 115
7. James Dal Broi 113
