The cream rose to the top for the Stawell Amateur Athletic Club on Saturday, when schoolboy champ Tom Walker and multiple club champion Col Barnett fought out the finish of the 5km Horsham Physiotherapy and Podiatry Handicap at Stawell.
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In his first full season with the club, Walker, 16, finally shook off the bridesmaid tag after finishing second in five previous races to score his maiden victory.
Making light of sharply twisting turns and muddy hazards, Walker even defied a pre-race warning not to hurdle a fallen tree but take a safer route through scrub. Barnett chased relentlessly, but rejoicing in a rare injury-free season he chose wisdom over valour. The precious seconds Walker saved may have been decisive because his winning margin over the veteran was just 27 seconds, with last-start winner Matilda Iglesias third.
Walker, winding down his preparation for the Australian Cross Country Championships in Wollongong on August 26 under the guidance of coach, Keith Haymes, has a stellar career ahead of him. He dares to dream of future Olympic representation with the 5000m in his sights.
Walker is already passing on much that he has learned to nine-year-old Will Moloney, who blitzed youngsters in the 1km sub juniors race and then ran a sparkling race against the seniors.
The club returns to the Ironbarks on Saturday for the 8km Stawell Toyota and Kia Handicap. Fun runners are welcome.
ANOTHER WIN
Keith Lofthouse capped off his most successful season with a win in the 8km Peter Gibson Handicap at Dunneworthy Common on Sunday, but later lamented the lack of interest in regional running clubs.
Lofthouse, past Ararat club secretary and president of the Stawell Amateurs, said: “I can’t understand why people are frightened of competition. They turn out in vast numbers at fun runs and while I appreciate the opportunities they provide for charities, a single fun run can cost more than membership which offers 20 races, virtually for free.”
Lofthouse credited his back to back wins in the Gibson to a liking for the course and race fitness. The Gibson was his 26th start since April.
“I come from a fun run background, and I still enjoy them, but I wouldn’t be club running for 20 years if it wasn’t fun. I needed something more than just being one of hundreds or thousands in a fun run.”
Lofthouse said he was running on empty for the last 2km, fearful of the nearest chasers, Jack Trounson and Gibson, running him down.
He will be re-handicapped out of contention for the 8km Trounson Family Handicap at Ararat on Sunday.
