Winter Series 2005 Race 21

Out of the darkness the first runner appears and we guess at who it might be. They are putting in a powerful finish and we soon recognise the long powerful stride of Karen O’Keefe. It is an impressive finish and she looks at her watch and exclaims a slow time like that shouldn’t hurt that much. She collapses to the ground and we try and cheer her up by suggesting the course is probably a bit long. Next in is the fast improving Leanne Keating followed by the gusty Georgia Shaw. Dave French is next and he receives some stirring from his daughters and wife who are time keeping he is totally spent. Pauline Lindsay is next a bit lost not having Pedro to beat. Darrel is next and he has put in a big effort the fastest time of the night. He confirms the course is about 6.4km a testing time for everyone. Anna Cardillo and Jackie Nelson are next feeling the extra 400m like everyone. Dan Kirby is next in with the second fastest time followed by Roger Maximiw. Col Hardy is next followed by a close duel between Jeff Van Den Brand and the fastest female on the night Kathryn Ewels. Kathryn has a strong finish but then Jeff probably has the best of anyone in the club and he is able to kick away. Next is another gutsy runner in Paula Lucas followed by the ever-impressive Sam Quirk who runs the fastest junior time. Second fastest female is next in Deb Piercy who has picked up a few male scalps along the way and she is proud of mainly Shinichi Tanaguchi’s and Jason Mulvogue’s. Marissa Schill is next and is improving every week and is followed by third fastest female Sandra Timmer-Arends. Next is new runner Molly Ewen and it is good to see another young girl having a run. By this time they are coming in thick and fast and the cheer squad on the side led by Ian Heafield are having a ball cheering everyone in. So much so Ian thinks he will forget his runners every week. Jason Mulvogue and Jeff Frankland follow Denise Strang in. Richard Comber is next and he crosses the line just in front of his shadow Bruce Salisbury. Neil Griffiths is next and then there is a big cheer for Courtney French as she beats Steve McLeod across the line. Belinda Issell and Fay Tomholt cruise in next followed by Kevin Piercy pushing Genieve along in the pusher. Bradley McAuliffe is closley followed by Kim Essex and Luke McKendry Andrea Henderson not use to a relaxed preparation comes in next ahead of Matthew MeKendry. Derek Evans whose mother Sue Evans has put in another gutsy performance to finish is followed by Craig Morris and Carmel Quirk.