Gunnedah’s Peter Loveridge won another event while Quirindi youngster Camilla Andrews was also a first placegetter as the annual Gunnedah Gallop took place on Sunday.
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Just one week after coming fifth in the 35 to 39 year age group in the Ironman 70.3 World Championship at Mooloolaba, Loveridge ran the 8km Gunnedah town course in 28 minutes and 55 seconds.
Loveridge, who had a time of 26:36 when he won the 2014 Gunnedah Gallop before missing last year’s event due to other commitments, was followed by Tamworth’s Daniel Nash with 31:21.
Third was Sarah Schiffmann of Carroll with 32:18 while just one second behind her was Gunnedah’s Andrew Osmond.
Gunnedah duo Kelly Watson and Natasha Fisher finished second and third in the women’s division, and sixth and 13th overall, with times of 34:09 and 35:11. The next eight women’s placegetters were also from Gunnedah.
Loveridge said “it was fantastic” to gain a fifth placing in a world event the previous Sunday, and that he still felt a bit of fatigue when he took part in the Gunnedah Gallop.
“(There was) a bit of post-race soreness from last week,” Loveridge said.
“I had a very quiet week training-wise.”
Loveridge felt that the conditions were very warm and comfortable for the Gunnedah Gallop, and he noted that there were no magpies this time after they had been an intrusion when he previously competed in the Gunnedah Gallop.
Year 6 student Camilla meanwhile took part alongside Quirindi colleagues Lucy Scanlon and Bridie Douglas, both in Year 4, with the trio having never competed in the Gunnedah Gallop before.
Camilla was first past the finish line with a time of 10:06 while Lucy was 18 seconds behind.
Camilla, who likes athletics and cross country, enjoyed her win although she said she “didn’t expect it”.
Bridie came 12th with a time of 12:13 while the first-placed male was Gunnedah’s Mason Louis with 10:40.
Following Mason, 13 of the next 15 male placegetters were also from Gunnedah.
Runners came from Gunnedah, Curlewis, Tamworth, Quirindi, Carroll, Mullaley, Armidale, Blue Vale, Uralla, Dubbo, Loomberah, Hillvue, Somerton, Manilla, Breeza, Rowland, Coffs Harbour and Doruka, while a couple came from Torquay in Queensland.
There were well over 150 entrants, and many took advantage of a barbecue breakfast and a coffee van.
With the Gunnedah Gallop in its 40th year, money raised in the annual event goes towards community projects and initiatives, with thanks offered to the Gunnedah rotary clubs, volunteers and sponsors.
