NSW XC Relays: Three-peat for Run Crew women

Published Sun 04 Jun 2023

4 June 2023

NSW XC Relays: Three-peat for Run Crew women

Run Crew women have over the last few years dominated the NSW XC Relay championship with wins at the North Ryde Common, during a COVID effected year in 2021, and last year at today’s venue - Upjohn Park at Rydalmere.

But they were not confident of a third consecutive win with UTS Norths boosting a strong line-up including Olympian Georgia Winkcup.

LEG 1:

RCR 13:19, BAN 13:35, UTN 14:45, NEW 14:49, SYU 15:07

Cross country international Aynslee Van Graan set up the race for her club Run Crew with a blistering opening leg clocked at 13:19. Her time would stand up as the fastest split of the day. Bankstown’s rising metric miler Jaylah Hancock-Cameron remained with Aynslee early, but eventually couldn’t match her pace. It was a good preparation for Jaylah who departs this week with the Australian under-23 team to compete in Europe. Third on leg one was 15-year-old Fleur Cooper with a strong split of 14:45.

LEG 2:

RCR 28:15, BAN 28:42, UTN 29:10, RCR B 30:31, SYU 30:49

Run Crew’s Helena Eastham ran a strong leg to keep her club in the lead, as did Bankstown’s Lily Winward, who held on to second. The big movers were UTS Norths, courtesy of former State champion Kate Spencer, who split 14:25, as they secured a clear third place. Also on the move were Run Crew’s B team with Gemma Jenkins clocking 14:50.

LEG 3:

RCR 42:40, UTN 42:53, BAN 44:27, NEW 46:52 RCR B 46:59

UTS Norths looked the only threat to Run Crew, and leg three would be vital with Olympian, Georgia Winkcup on duty. Georgia ran gallant, splitting 13:43 and moving her UTS North team within 13 seconds of Run Crew, who was served well by NSW Novice State champion Katie Conlon who ran a strong, clocking 14:25. Newcastle Flyers were the big movers on this leg, thought consistency with Cicely Brown (15:21) adding to the great opener by Laura Simon (14:49). However, they remained over two minutes from Bankstown in the bronze medal position.

LEG 4:

RCR 56:45, UTN 58:20, BAN 59:19, NEW 61:57, KEJ 63:07

Clocking the fourth fastest split of the day, with a super time of 14:04, Niamh Allen brought Run Crew home for a decisive victory. UTS Norths held on for second, while Bankstown closed the gap courtesy of Jessica Kann, just 14, who split 14:51 - the tenth fastest time of the day. Newcastle Flyers were strong also with Hyewon Wilson clocking the team’s second fastest time of 15:04. Moving into fifth on the last leg was Kembla Joggers. They were a model of consistency with just 47 seconds the margin between the club’s four team members. Former NSW open 800m champion, Lauren Mitchell, now a masters athlete, clocked the fastest split of 15:23 on leg two.

Open women Sub-16 minutes legs

13:19 Aynslee Van Graan RCR

13:35 Jaylah Hancock-Cameron BAN

13:43 Georgia Winkcup UTN

14:04 Niamh Allen RCR

14:25 Katie Conlon RCR

14:25 Kate Spencer UTN

14:45 Fleur Cooper UTN

14:49 Laura Simon NEW

14:50 Gemma Jenkins RCR B

14:51 Jessica Kann BAN (10th)

14:56 Helena Eastham RCR