Bendigo Orienteers Bush Classic 6 in Kangaroo Gully saw a strong field of local and regional orienteers competing on an outstanding “classic” course that had been first set in 1996 for that years Victorian Championships. Proving to be every bit as tough today as it was when originally contested, no competitor could beat local club president Jim Russel’s original winning time for the full 17km course. Despite their best efforts, top place getters Bryan Keely (1st), Bruce Arthur (2nd) and Matt Doyle (3rd) couldn’t match the consistency of Jim’s original race time across the eleven and six kilometre loops. A solid run by Bruce Arthur, who first ran the course in his early twenties, saw him take six minutes off his previous race time.
The shorter six kilometre second loop of the original course was very well contested with 34 starters. Place getters Jim Russell (1st), Louis Cameron (2nd) and Lanita Steer (3rd) managed to navigate a tricky technical course ahead of good performances by local juniors Lachlan Cherry, Tavish Enjes and Lisha Maggs. On the short course, junior runner Asha Steer (1st) managed to hold out against the experienced navigators Laurie Edward (2nd) and John Chellew (3rd). Local junior Jack Wigney showed good form on course four to win against Mason Arthur from Melbourne and local club mate Henry Cameron. It was also great to see novice competitors Joanne Cherry, Melissa Matheson and Tiffany Mccullough enjoy the event which offered a great range of courses for all skill levels.
Results can be found on our results page, where you can use Eventor, WinSplits or draw your route on (RG) Route Gadget
Richard Goonan
