James Murphy
RUNNERS and walkers young and old took on the challenge of the 2022 Blue Lake Fun Run on Sunday.
A total of 590 competitors took to the start line across four distances, including the inaugural 21.1km half marathon event, in the first event since 2019 due to Covid.
The half marathon attracted 57 runners, but it was no surprise to see Riley Cocks and Izzi Batt-Doyle finish first for the men and women respectively.
Batt-Doyle is an Australian Olympian and Commonwealth Games long-distance runner, while Cocks is an elite Australian cross country runner.
The couple visited Mount Gambier for a full weekend of athletics, which included a training session at Little Athletics on Friday night, the Mount Gambier Gift on Saturday and Sunday’s Fun Run.
Cocks finished the hilly course in an impressive 1:13.42 for overall line honours.
Dale Enger finished six minutes later secure second overall and in the men’s category, before Batt-Doyle crossed less than a minute later for a time of 1:20.17.
Sam Edney rounded out the podium for the men, while Danny Habets was the best of the local runners and finished fourth.
Dunrobin’s Hayley Rees finished second in the women, followed by Fleur Barling.
During the presentations, the half marathon winners gave some feedback on the course and their visit to the region.
“It was very fun, but gee those hills were tough,” Batt-Doyle said post-race.
“Mount Gambier has certainly put it on for us.
“It has been an awesome weekend with the Gift on Saturday and being out at Little Athletics on Friday.
“We definitely hope to be back to Mount Gambier again.”
Cocks was equally impressed by the course and while he had not visited Mount Gambier before, he does have connections to the Blue Lake city.
His father Michael is a former North Gambier footballer, while also an athlete in his own right, having run in the Hawaiian Iron Man.
“I thought the course was certainly very challenging with the hills,” Cocks said.
“The volunteers and the marking and everyone who put the course together did a really good job.
“I didn’t know the course that well, but at no point did I feel lost out there.
“It is great to see running and athletics growing in Mount Gambier and it is a good opportunity to get around the sport as it continues to grow.”
The 10.4km event was popular as always with 121 starters.
Of those Bouchaib Chefnaoui was the quickest with a time of 0:36.26.
Owen Williams followed two minutes behind, with Richard Wade a further minute behind.
Mount Gambier youngster Josh Cameron was the best local and finished fourth by a slim six seconds.
He was followed by the first of the women in Nikki Smart, who finished with a time of 0:42.09.
Casterton’s Madalene Cleary finished second for the women, while Glencoe’s Kathryn Auld secured third place.
The 6.8km distance had the largest field, with 233 runners.
Under 14 Leslie Jagger was first across the line with his time of 0:27.49 an impressive achievement.
Scotty Brooksby was just 20 seconds behind to secure the second step of the podium, while Peter Izzard came in third a couple of minutes behind.
The women’s event was also won by an Under 14 athlete, as Paige Rasheed finished fifth overall to take out the category.
Tori Kitschke and Lauren Van Eeden rounded out the podium.
The final distance was the 3.2km, which was won by Archie Lane in a time of 0:11.28.
Jonty Collins was close behind to finish second for the men, while John Thomson finished third just seven seconds behind.
The women’s category was taken out by Shayden Russell in 0:14.04, while Rosie Collins and Charlotte Versace fought it out for second place.
Just three seconds separated them, with Collins crossing the line first.
This year there were also prizes for the best over 50’s in each distance.
Kirsten Mitchell and Darryl Patzel were the quickest Over 50 woman and man in the half marathon, while Anne-Maree Johnstone and Wade topped the 10.4km.
Mandy Jones and Tim Koopman were fastest in the 6.8km, with the 3.2km won by Rosie Collins and Thomson.
