A Big Day Out for OXAC

AV Jells Park Relays and OXAC Annual Dinner

Saturday 7 May

It was a big day out for OXAC on Saturday 7 May with the opening of the AV season during the day, followed by the Club’s Annual Dinner in the evening.

The day brought wild and wintry conditions out at Jells Park for the first AV race of the season, and one of the few AV races in the previous 3 years. OXAC had 4 teams: D3 and D4 in the Men’s, and Premier and D5 in the Women’s.

Alex O’Callaghan sets out on the 6km course

The Men’s teams fought hard in the contest, with the Division 3 team composed of Aidan Jackson (20:56), Aidan Biggar (21:35), Jonah Gannon (26:12), Lachlan Gordon (24:37), and Simon Bull (26:47) all battling the conditions which worsened as the day went on, finishing 10th of 15 teams. Division 4 runners Alex O’Callaghan (29:46), David Martini (27:14), Bob Meek (29:53), Alan Colman (25:14), and Club President Christopher Worsnop (35:26) also battled the hills of the 2 x 3km course.

Aidan Jackson battling against Olympic Star Linden Hall

Our Premier Women’s team finished 8th in the top Division, running against some of the best female athletes in the state. This team was a family affair, being composed of Daisy Hinckfuss (38:22), Women’s Captain Sue Hinckfuss (26:57), Di Guiney (27:24), Georgia Guiney (30:11), and Laura Robson (28:50). Margaret Cass (36:08), Kim Drever (32:22), and Mary Grutzner (34:12) made up our Division 5 team, coming 9th out of 12 teams. Full results are available here.

Changeover between Margaret Cass and Kim Drever, with Captain Sue Hinckfuss looking on

In the evening, a much warmer affair was had at the Postmaster Hotel in Kew, with our Annual Club Dinner. This included a toast and brief history lesson from the Club President, a tribute to our Olympians Dave McNeill and Matthew Clarke, a fantastic raffle thanks to many of our generous donors, and a presentation of a cheque to OXAC from OXAC’s Darren Templeton on behalf of Run The Tan. Guest speaker for the evening was Olympic marathoner Ellie Pashley who shared her thoughts on training, racing, and motivation, and engaged in a long Q&A session with the audience. Ellie also spoke about balancing pregnancy with running, her tactics in the marathon, and importantly, whether she rounds out to time or distance on Strava.

Run The Tan’s Darren Templeton presents President Christopher Worsnop with a cheque of thanks

The evening focused on our Annual Awards for both the 2021 Winter and 2021/22 Summer seasons. Full winners are listed here:

JOHN COOKE TROPHY for significant contribution to the club: Hannah Cossins

ELDON HOGAN TROPHY for best individual athlete performance: David McNeill

STUART METHVEN for best summer athlete: Neve O’Callaghan

MEN’S SUMMER CHAMPIONS: Nelson Gray, Will Lovett, Carlo Manolitsas

WOMEN’S SUMMER CHAMPIONS: Annabelle Colman, Amelie Lague

SIR LEWIS BURNE MEDALS (Summer): Erin Garbler, Cameron Marshall, Georgia Powning, Clara Campillos

OXA TROPHY: Joshua Augustinus

SUMMER 60+ CHAMPION: Mark Hipworth

CHRIS VAN ASSCHE TROPHY; Alex O’Callaghan

TUTTON TROPHY: Ben Hasseler, Aidan Jackson, Aidan Biggar

DUPUCHE TROPHY: Charlotte Hoskins, Margaret Fitzgerald, Hannah Cossins

WINTER 50+ CHAMPION: Pablo Campillos

WINTER JUNIORS CHAMPIONS: Harry Cole, Clara Campillos, Annabelle Colman

SIR LEWIS BURNE MEDALS (Winter): Harry Mezger, Bob Meek

Clara Campillos picks up her second medal of the evening from guest speaker Ellie Pashley

Ellie Pashley with John Cooke Trophy winner Hannah Cossins

A big few weeks lie ahead for OXAC with the APSOC Orchard 10km Handicap at Albert Park this Saturday 14 May, followed by the second premiership race of the season in the massive Dyson Relay at the Tan on Saturday 21 May. Stay tuned for race and teams information!

Aidan Jackson

OXAC Men’s Captain