Jack Trounson was able to shake the bridesmaid tag and break through for his first win of the Stawell and Ararat Cross Country Club season at Dunneworthy Common on Sunday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Trounson’s win ended a run of eight second or third placings.
Teammate Peter Gibson’s frustrating run of seconds, thirds and fourths was extended to twelve following Sunday’s event when he failed by 100ths of a second to pip Trounson on the post in the 31st running of the Mitre 10 race.
It would have been Gibson’s fourth win in the race since 2000.
Trounson said that he was not even supposed to be competing in the race.
“Gibson was unlucky,” he said.
“I’d have been on my way to Birdsville but one of the blokes pulled out of the trip with health issues.
“I shouldn’t even be here.”
Third in the race was the club’s most senior runner, John Hertz, who was having only his third start this season after a long absence.
In the tightest finish of the season, just 17 seconds separated first to fifth while just 23 seconds came between the next six to test the mettle of timekeepers.
The club returns to the Stawell Ironbarks this Sunday for the five kilometre Clem Hall Memorial Handicap from Three Jacks Reserve. Fun runners are offered free entry before races start at 9.45am.