Tim Cochrane wins 37 th Traralgon Harriers King of the Mountain.
26 Runners and walkers took advantage of Sunday the 19 th Septembers perfect weather conditions to take the challenge of this epic 30km event. Tim Cochrane fresh from his record breaking win in the recent Shepparton Marathon showed the field a clean pair of heels as he raced to the top in the very fast time of 1hr 54min 36sec to win from Darrel Cross and Jacques Coetzee. The only early challenge came from youngster Matthew Mullens who after a great effort to win the under 18 Half Marathon at Shepparton decided this event would be a good challenge. Although it was great to see him keen enough to enter the event he was also smart enough to pull out at Traralgon South after using lots of valuable energy pursuing Tim early. Sandra Timmer-Arends made it her 6 th Queen of the Mountain title winning from Penny Burgess and Jenny Prucsino. In all a record 5 females tackled the event with club veterans Denise Twite and Belinda Issell walking all the way. Denise Twite won the female veteran title. First time conquerors of the Mountain were Melbourne visitors Richard Matison, Gary Stoward, David Menze and Danny Adshed. Richard Matison put in a great effort early and was just run out of third place by Jacques Coetzee in the last big climb to the top. Other debutants were club members Warren Harriss, Bob Bickett, Mark Peek, Russell Mullens, Jenny Prucsino and Denise Twite. Special mention must go to 61 year old Brian Glover who walked it in a fast time of 3hrs 38mins 28secs.
Results Traralgon Harriers 30km run from Traralgon to the T.V. towers at the top of Mt.Tassie.
Tim Cochrane 1hr 54mins 36secs, Darrel Cross 2:07:47, Jacques Coetzee 2:12:07, Richard Matison 2:12:50, Ian Twite 2:15:39 (1st Male Vet), Bruce Salisbury 2:20:49, Sandra Timmer-Arends 2:25:29 (1st Female), Gary Stoward 2:30:19, Rob Embelton 2:35:10, David Menzell 2:36:37, Neil Burgess 2:38:21, David Styles 2:43:41, Penny Burgess 2:45:17 (2nd Female), Danny Adshed 2:58:52, Ian Heafield 3:00:20, Barry Higgins 3:03:15, Warren Harriss 3:04:48, Peter Grixti 3:17:46, Russell Mullens 3:19:00, Jenny Prucsino 3:27:17 (3rd Female), Brian Glover 3:38:28, Bob Bickett 3:41:35, Mark Peek 3:41:35, Denise Twite 4:39:28 (1st Vet Female), Belinda Issell 4:39:28.
Special thanks to race directors Col and Lyn Hardie.
The many families and support crews including- Margaret Salisbury, Leanne & Peta Mullens, Rob Donaldson, Denise Strang, Marissa Schill, Comber Family, Cross Family, Pauline Lindsay, Wendy Higgins and many more and I apologise to the ones I forgot. A special thank you to the water boy Roger Maximiw.
It is your support that ensures we get e-mails back from our visitors like this one-
Thanks for putting on a great day. We look forward to attending more of your events in the future.I don't know why you dont get more folks from Melbourne along-I can do a flat 30(yawn) on my own anytime!!! The soup was terrific,water bottles were great, and you guys were heaps of fun to run with. It's one of my must do races! Thanks Richard and Jane Matison,Dave Menzel. P.S feel free to put me on your email list regarding further events. See you at Melbourne Marathon!