Not on our parade

IT was always going to take more than a little rain to dampen spirts at the Terang and District Lions Club’s 44th annual Noorat to Terang Fun Run and Walk.

Rain, hail or shine: The Noorat to Terang Fun Run and Walk drew an impressive number of participants who braved thunderstorm conditions last Friday.

Hundreds braved the elements in making the 5.92 kilometre run or walk between Noorat and Terang despite a thunderstorm resulting in a downpour shortly after the starting gun was fired.

Terang Lions Club member Stephen O’Connor said the numbers were consequently down on the previous year but the club was thrilled with the turnout despite the conditions.

“The club members were delighted to find there was an increase in the number of participants in the All-Abilities Section,” he said.

“It is an honor to be able to witness the growth of this section of the event in its second year and it has brought an opportunity for all of our community to be able participate in this great local calendar event.”

This year’s event saw Liam McGuan take victory with Jackson Coates taking second and Occy Hayes running third – in the process of which he eclipsed the record held which had been held by a late fun run legend for three decades.

“Liam won the Open Male section and it was great to see the locals do so well,” Mr O’Connor said.

“He finished second last year in a time of 20.02 and this year he won the event in a time of 19.32 – it was great running and he also won the John Keane first local home.

“Liam won from Jackson Coates with a U/15 runner Occy Hayes finishing third.

“A special mention needs to be made of Occy’s performance – he also won his age category Under 15 in a time of 21.11 and broke a 33-year-old record set by Clinton Hall in 1993.

“Occy shaved seven seconds off Clinton’s previous time.”

The Women’s Section saw Cobden’s Kate Hallyburton finishing in an incredible 20.50.

“Over the years there has not been a lot of female runners to break the sub-21-minute mark, so congratulations to Kate,” Mr O’Connor said.

“The second-place getter in the Open female was an Under 18 runner in Edith Walsh, with Edith smashed a 39-year-old record for Under 18 girls in a time of 23.02.

“The previous record was held by Michelle Ownsworth, with a time of 23.13 set in 1987.

“The Versace sister and brother pair of Charlette and Will won their sections of the event, while Charlette finished third in the Open Female and also won the Under 15 girls.

“She missed out on breaking a 40-year-old record by only two seconds and her brother won the Under 13 boys – missing the record by a small margin also.”