Adelaide Uni Relays Recap

Published Thu 22 Jun 2023

Adelaide Uni Relays – Waite Arboretum

After a promising sunny start, it was an incredibly wet day on Saturday morning at the Adelaide University's Waite Campus. Runners were treated to rain, 13-degree temperatures, north-westerly winds of 22,7km/h and humidity of 74%.

Modelled on the new World Cross Country event the 4x2k cross country relay has shown enormous potential to grow into a big event. Michael Nitschke, Adelaide University and the staff at Athletics SA worked hard to get this first edition up and running at an iconic venue in Adelaide. A huge thankyou to all the officials and volunteers who helped make this event run so smoothly especially as we battled through the tough elements.

We were also fortunate to partner with event sponsor ON, the company went above and beyond by not only committing prize support of $3000 but also being there on the day. They have an extravagant display of shoes for athletes to test and did not bat an eye lid at the muddy conditions. The extra incentives provided an additional thrill for athletes who were chasing king and queen of the hill via the online run Stava segment, another novel way ON engaged with our community.

Unfortunately, as photos show the weather was a little bleak and the course had to be modified slightly for safety reasons, resulting in the challenging 1k loop being just short. Nevertheless, the incline start with the STRAVA segment in play was always going to give athletes a fast start. The return, back down the hill had some technical turns before following the fence line to the finishing corner.

The inaugural event had 29 teams and 116 athletes. A big thank you for all clubs who entered teams, especially Flinders, Adelaide University and Saints who fielded the majority of teams.

While all clubs were missing key athletes the Open & U20 race started with Dylan Bosch (FLN) and Harrison Bagley (AH) charging up the hill for their first shot at the STRAVA segment. While both suffered later, at least Dylan had a consolation of a new pair of ON shoes! There was still a front pack at the halfway mark, but it was Cael Mulholland (AU) just ahead of Adam Goddard (SAIN), two of South Australia’s up and coming talents, who cleared away on the second lap. Jonathon Harris (SAIN) was clear in third with a bunch of athletes following.

Annie Kitto (AU) had the same idea as she took out the fastest female STRAVA segment. As expected, it was Brooke Hines (SAIN) who built a good lead. Another athlete getting better and better is Sarah Uhrig (AH) who ended up the fastest female of the day as she pulled Adelaide Harriers back to second. Dylan Stenson (SAIN) maintained the 18 second margin over Cooper Giles (AU) who had caught and passed Lachlan Hall (AH). By half-way of the final leg Lucie Spurling (AU) and Paige Cranage (AH) had made ground on Annika Faber (SAIN). Further back it was Hannah Tourneur (FLN) who started 46 seconds back from the lead who was gaining, but still a way back. The finish was hectic, but it was Touneur who had caught the first three teams before the final bend to come through and take a great victory for Flinders with Adelaide University, Saints and Adelaide Harriers in a blanket finish.

Flinders were fielding teams in every category so it is not surprising they won the U16, O35 and O50 competitions. Flinders A O35 team won the ON ‘oldies’ team prize. Saints were too good winning the U20 and the ON Junior team prize for the fastest junior team. Adelaide Harriers took out the U18s.

The general public event had some teams for the first time – Camden & TRRC (+Mums), plus Adelaide University, Adelaide Harriers and Saints additional teams.

Special mention to our very own Jessica Stenson, many of the Flinders women and mum’s made mention of her extremely fast run during her late stage of pregnancy and only in trainers! At 7.17 she was the fastest O35 by nearly half a minute.

Team Results (4x2k Mixed – Open & U20)

1. Flinders (A) 24.25, 2. Adelaide University (A) 24.29, 3. Saints (A) 24.30, 4. Adelaide Harriers (A) 24.30, 5. Adelaide University (B) 25.20, 6. Saints (U20) 25.31, 7. Adelaide University (C) 26.35, 8. Flinders (U20) 27.35, 9. Hills Districts 27.38, 10. Saints (B) 27.40.

Team Results (4x2k Mixed – U16, U18, O35 & O50)

1. Adelaide Harriers (U18) 26.38, 2. Flinders (U18) 27.27, 3. Flinders (O35A) 27.33, 4. Flinders (O35B) 28.35, 5. Flinders (U16) 28.45, 6. Pembroke (U18) 28.47, 7. Flinders (O35C) 29.41, 8. Flinders (U16*) 30.08, 9. Flinders (O50) 34.16.

Team Results (4x2k General Public)

1. Adelaide University (GP1) 26.22, 2. TRRC 27.39, 3. Adelaide University (GP2) 29.56, 4. Adelaide Harriers (Mix) 31.23, 5. Saints Community #1 32.26, 6. Camden 33.49, 7. Saints Community #2 36.14, 8. TRRC (Mums) 43.33.

Best Performances (Male):

1. Cael Mulholland (AU) 5.17, 2. Adam Goddard (SAIN) 5.18, 3. Jonathan Harris (SAIN) 5.24, 4. Harrison Bagley (AH) 5.30, 5. Robert Killmier (FLN) 5.31, 6. Bailey Giles (AU) 5.32, 7. Dylan Bosch (FLN) 5.32, 7. Dylan Stenson (SAIN) 5.32, 9. Cooper Giles (AU) 5.34, 10, Oakley Nilsen (FLN) 5.35, 10. Zac Connell (SAIN) 5.35, 11. Ben van Raalte (AH) 5.35.

Best Performances (Female):

1. Sarah Uhrig (AH) 6.22, 2. Hannah Tourneur (FLN) 6.24, 3. Brooke Hines (SAIN) 6.25, 4. Poppy Austin (Hills) 6.37, 5. Annie Kitto (AU) 6.44, 6. Malaika McLeod (SAIN) 6.46, 7. Asha Lawson (FLN) 6.48, 8. Erin Pottharst (AU) 6.49, 9. Paige Cranage (AH) 6.54, 10. Lucie Spurling (AU) 6.55.