A Return to Play –1St July

VETRUNNERY f ISSN 1449-8006 Vol. 42 Issue 1 — July 2020 Patron: Dick Telford Website: www.actmastersathletics.org.au Facebook: ACT Masters Athletics Club The monthly magazine of the ACT Masters Athletics Club Inc. Email: [email protected] See pp. 7, 14 & 15 for proposed dates of competition From COVID-19 to Competition - A return to play –1st July Reporter: Suzie Gaynor Play your part in return to play The ACT Masters Athletics Club welcomes the As we resume activities at ACT Masters Athletics, Federal Government’s guidance to provide a path- way for a safe return to sport. In accordance with it’s important to remember that it is up to each of us both federal and territory guidelines, ACT Masters to take the following steps: Athletics provides the following set of actions to sup- Keep your distance: stay 1.5 metres away port the safe return to full club activities from other people, no hugging or hand shaking. The safety and well-being of our members and fellow participants is our priority as we step back Wash your hands: practice good hygiene, into competition. The points below outline how ath- cough/sneeze into your arm and avoid touching letics activities can resume in a COVID-safe way, things. Sanitise equipment between touches/ being mindful of our significant numbers in vulnera- throws. ble categories. Many COVID-safe requirements for hygiene and social distancing are likely to stay with Stay away: when you are unwell. Get tested us well into competition, possibly as a permanent if you have respiratory symptoms or a fever. arrangement for competing safely. Download the COVIDSafe App: to protect The minimum standard of practice is based on the best available evidence and advice to ensure the yourself and others, so we can find the virus quickly. (continued p.4) health and safety of those involved in athletics. The return to play should be followed in conjunction with the directives and guidelines of the Federal Govern- ment and ACT Government. Leigh Harlow, Shane Hutchison and Peter Baker on the turn into the straight in distance race at Woden last season. (photo Suzie Gaynor) Key information used to develop this information sheet for ACT Masters Athletics includes:

- Roadmap to a COVIDSafe Australia - National Principles for the Resumption of Sport and Recreation Activities - Framework for Rebooting Sport in a COVID-19 Envi- ronment released by the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) - Information from government health departments and the relevant health authorities. At all times, community and individual sport is gov- erned by public health policy and Federal, State/Territory Government directives.

Information is accurate at time of publishing on 1 June 2020. If you are unsure, please contact the main committee (see p.3 for information). (continued p.4)

Page 2 — July 2020 Vetrunner

Club Sponsors

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KINGSTON PHYSIOTHERAPY & SPORTS INJURY CENTRE Exciting news!

Introducing Dietician & Sports Nutritionist Sophie Stanwell Sophie recently joined our Physio & Massage team and is also offering discounted services to ACTMAC members.

Call or go on - line for more info. 02- 6 2 6 0 8 2 4 4 www.kingstonphysio.com.au

Club Supporters The ACT Masters Athletics Club is grateful for the generous support of the following local businesses:

 National Mailing & Marketing for printing of Vetrunner, the Annual Report and other pamphlets

 The Runners Shop for discounts to members for purchases and discounted gift vouchers

 Kingston Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Centre for discounts to members for purchases and discounted gift vouchers

 Go Troppo Fyshwick Markets for a discount on fruit for our Run-Walk Handicap events

 Garry Maher of Manuka Drafting Service for donating prizes for the King and Queen of the Mountain in both Thomas & Frylink Series

 Belconnen Soccer Club and the Ainslie Football and Social Club for providing rooms for the club meetings and other functions on request. July 2020 Vetrunner — page 3

From President Shane

There is hope on the horizon with the steady lifting of restrictions ‘swipey’ cards and pre-pay by EFT or purchasing a that we will be back hosting events in July. I personally warmly greet season’s pass. the prospect of running again with people after many weeks of running And for those with a keen interest in administra- in the cold around Lake Ginninderra. tion of athletics in the ACT, you will have noticed As announced in the Bulletin, the club has a ‘Return-to-Play - COVID that One Athletics recently ran a competition inviting -Safety Plan’ that reminds us of the important steps we must do to members to ‘name the new organisation’. (Cont. p.5) return safely to competition and to protect our vulnerable members. Out of necessity, our events will look a little different as certain things we’ve become accustomed to, like cosy check-in desks and cash entry fees, long presentations and shared refreshments, are not possible. The overwhelming message from governments on sporting activities is to ‘Get in, Get Active and Get out’. Whether you are training or participating in a competition, the coach, the event organiser or the volunteer, while ever the risk of spreading COVID remains a concern, you are individually responsible for creating a safe environment to play. Club activities will be focused and streamlined, presentations minimised, and social distancing monitored. post-event socialising is limited and the club cannot provide shared refreshments. We will provide plenty of hand sanitiser and ask that you demonstrate respiratory etiquette by not coughing or sneezing over others, and if you are unwell, please, please, please, stay at home! The fresh batch of club uniforms ($40), crop tops ($55) and visors and hats ($20) will be at events, along with the dwindling supply of Polo shirts ($30). However, you will need to pre-pay by EFT, or have your debit card as we are going cashless at events. The direction to go cashless has come all the way from the top, from Governments, the Australian Institute of Sport and Athletics Australia, and from One Athletics ACT. The exchanging of cash is akin to exchanging COVID-19 – it is a point of risk for spreading germs. I appreciate that going cashless will be a bother for some, particularly those who do not have Our president has jogged everyday of the isolation ‘swipey’ cards. However, we will provide other options like pre-pay by period. (photo Suzie Gaynor)

ACT MASTERS ATHLETICS “Fitness Through Fellowship” The Vetrunner is the official Newsletter of ACTMA, ISSN 1449-8006 Postal Address: GPO Box 2356, Canberra, ACT 2601. Internet: www.actmastersathletics.org.au Facebook: ACT Masters Athletics Club Disclaimer: The views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily the views of ACTMA

Patron Sub-Committees and Coodinators Special Events and Communications Dr Dick Telford AO Annual Awards, Trophies and historian: Cross Country Championships: Main Committee Bryan Thomas 6161 3635 (h) Ken Smith President: [email protected] Local Organising Committee for 2021 AMA Shane Hutchison 0419 009 403 Equipment Officer (Track and Field): Track and Field National championships: [email protected] Jayne Hardy 0421 610 053 Bryan Thomas 6161 3635 (h) [email protected] Vice President: [email protected] Member Protection Information Officers: Nikki Phelps 0497 269 935 Publicity, Marketing, Membership: Sue Bourke 0408 266 183 [email protected] Suzie Gaynor 0429 812 878 Richard Scutter 0415 738 848 Secretary: [email protected] Suzie Gaynor 0429 812 878 Records Officer: Social Events: [email protected] Jacob Grooby Rosemary Parker 0427 160 129 Robyn Saunders 0403 808 299 Treasurer: [email protected] Leigh Harlow 0421 564 135 Run/Walk Handicap sub-committee chair: Sprint Marathon Relays: [email protected] Robbie Costmeyer 0448 087 054 Jim White 02 6231 4168 Registrar: [email protected] Uniforms: Nigel England 0477 341 333 Run/Walk Handicap Rosters: Jayne Hardy and Suzie Gaynor [email protected] Deb Gordon [email protected] Main Committee Members: [email protected] Vetrunner Editor: [email protected] Throws Coordinator: Robert Kennelly Kathy Sims 0418 408 805 Jayne Hardy 0421 610 053 [email protected] Ken Smith [email protected] Webmaster: Geoff Moore and Bronwyn Calver Track & Field sub-committee chair: [email protected] Public Officer Nigel England 0477 341 333 Robbie Costmeyer 0448 087 054 Weekly Bulletin: [email protected] Val Chesterton [email protected] Page 4 — July 2020 Vetrunner

From COVID-19 to Competition - A return to play (cont)

Cont. from p.1 1. Asks people at a higher risk of severe illness from The requirements for return to play COVID (for example, those with chronic medical conditions or The ACT Government requires all sporting associations to compromised immune systems) to remain at home and delay have a COVID-19 Return-to-Play Plan. The ACT Masters returning to play until a vaccine is available. Athletics Club main committee has developed their return to 2. Asks members to download the Australian Government’s play plan. COVIDSafe App. • While the return-to- play plan covers all club activities, 3. Provides hand sanitiser and notices at all entrances/exits each sub-committee and event organiser must undertake a to the facility and competition Check in must be contactless. simple risk assessment before each event, and put in place This includes cash free check in and no sharing the sign-in measures to ensure a COVID-safe environment. pen. Use of pens and bib-distribution should only be done by • For each event, a dedicated COVID-19 Safety Officer one person who is wearing the appropriate Personal Protection must be appointed who has undertaken the online Infection Equipment (PPE). Control Training Course. The COVID Safety Officer will be 4. Provides additional cleaning equipment in active areas responsible for checking a COVID-safe environment is in place (sprays, wipes etc.) with appropriate waste management prac- and reporting any issues to the event organiser (or meet man- tices in place. Supplies of hand sanitiser, disposable gloves, ager, activity convenor, person in charge) disposable masks, antibacterial surface sprays, antibacterial • A register of participants and their contact details wipes will be available. must be available for every event to satisfy the requirements 5. Limits presentations, with announcements and prize for contract tracing. giving minimised to avoid people milling and gathering for • Each event manager must know what they will do ‘In the more than 15 minutes. case of a suspected COVID case’. 6. Will not provide shared facilities of the urn, coffee/sugar • All club activities must comply with ACT Government bowls or cut fruit. Club fellowship must adhere to social dis- rules for participation numbers, hygiene, social distancing and tancing rules. cleaning of equipment. 7. Portaloos can only be used under tightly controlled sani- tary measures, sanitising of all contacts points are cleaned Get in, get active, and get out after each user. Wherever possible, events be located near pub- The overwhelming message from governments on sporting lic toilet facilities. (cont. p.5) activities is to ‘Get in, Get Active and Get out’. Whether you are training or participating in a competition, or the coach, the event organiser or volunteer, while ever the risk of spreading COVID remains a concern, you are also individually responsible for creating a safe environment to play. Club activities must be focused and streamlined, presentations minimised, and social distancing practiced. Post-event socialising is limited, people must maintain adequate social distancing and no shared refreshments will be provided by the club. Members are asked to arrive at the activity ready to participate and leave at the end of the activity.

Identifying the risks at play Each sub-committee and activity organiser (including members hosting training sessions), must identify the areas of risk, and put measures in place to protect members. Common risks for spreading viruses at club events are: • Common touch points that aren’t cleaned (pens, money, the bib box, toilet doors, handles) • Shared equipment (throwing equipment, measuring tapes, timing devices) • Participants not adhering to social distancing and personal hygiene • Someone participating unwell

Club considerations We are a club with a significant proportion of members in the vulnerable age group of over 60 years of age. Our average age of members is 64 years. We also have several members that are not in the best of health. While we do not want to stop people participating to improve their health, we do not want to expose members to unsafe environments that may make them unwell. Therefore, the club:

► Steve Jordon, jotting down notes prior to shot put competition at Woden last season. (Photo; Suzie Gaynor) July 2020 Vetrunner — page 5 From COVID-19 to Competition - A return to play (cont) From President Shane (cont) Y f (cont. from p.4) (Cont. from p.3) Be COVID-Safe at your event One Athletics has taken advantage of the COVID restrictions and progressed many aspects of the implementation plan for 1. Clear signage on and around the venue for appropri- creating a single entity that is responsible for delivering athlet- ate spacing and pedestrian directions. ics in the ACT. I have been involved in developing the One Ath- letics program of activities for 2020-2021. I am excited to say 2. No physical contact such as hugging, handshaking that with the merging of calendars from Little Athletics, Athlet- or high fives. Verbal good luck and congratulations are ics ACT and ACT Masters Athletics, next season will offer many good alternatives. exciting options for the Masters Athlete.

3. Ensure all shared surfaces and spaces are disinfect- Yours in getting ready to go ed at the start, and after your event. Shane Hutchison

4. Minimise the number of volunteers and officials. Running in Lockdown 5. Regular PA announcements and reminders of what to do, remembering to wipe the microphone down after Reporter; Nigel England use. The big loss this year was firstly the sudden end to the Track and Field season which of course should build up to Nationals. 6. No shared officials’ vests or participant bibs. So we did not get a chance to go off to Qld and test ourselves at

the National forum. As my ‘specialist’ event is the 3km Steeple- 7. Equipment baskets or trolleys should only be put in chase it was a shame to miss out on this event. T&F regulars place by the equipment officer/nominated/trained helpers might have noticed that we did not do any steeples last season and wiped down before and after the session. mainly due to equipment constraints at Woden, and we probably will not do any next season so that means I will have to go to 8. All equipment wiped down by the participant before ACT Athletics events to jump over those steeples and into the and after each use. water again. After nationals the autumn/winter period for me has previ- 9. At the end of the activity, participants reminded to ously been the time of increasing distances so that I can do the sanitise/wash hands and leave soon as practical. YMCA half-marathon and then the ACTMA Half. As they have- n’t happened that has given me the opportunity to be a bit slack. 10. Ensure all non-essential activities (for example, But hopefully the YMCA might still run the Goorooyaro Half in recovery sessions, presentations or meetings) take place September so I can get one in before the summer. I do a regular at home or online. 5km run on Saturday mornings from home. This is my ‘It’s not a Parkrun Run’, and I also go out every Sunday on a longer run around Tuggeranong Hill, which is just behind our house. A cou- 11. Do not organise end of activity shared refreshments ple of times so far I have managed to get the distance up to 14- or other social activity that encourages people to linger. 15 km so the Half-Marathon is not a complete shock when we get to do it. 12. Sanitise all equipment and surfaces that were used Some of you will also know that my other sin is still trying to during the event. play football (the round ball version) with work colleagues every week. This normally extends to playing for a team in the ANU Suzie Gaynor (Secretary ACTMA) ‘Purpleshin’ lunchtime competition. Both of these activities have of course now stopped. By this this stage of the season I have normally picked up some sort of injury (broken finger/dislocated elbow/bruised ribs) but of course this year I am completely injury free. So there are some benefits of lock-down. And just a call out for some more people to join our Competi- tion Sub-committee so that we can be all ready for a full T&F season in 2020-21. Please contact me at [email protected] if you are interested in helping.

Nigel England, ACTMA Registrar and Chair CSC

All photos for this important notice are by Suzie Gaynor Page 6 — July 2020 Vetrunner

Reboot of the Run Walk handicap Running in Lockdown Reporter; Robbie Costmeyer Swapping handicaps for adventure walks – how we’ve been keeping fit ACT restrictions on mass outdoor gatherings were lifted on 19 June and we are now at stage 2.2, which allows up to 100 Reporter; Lauren Watt (former Editor of Vetrunner) persons to exercise as a group. Normally this would allow us to I think we are probably all in agreement that so far 2020 resume RWHs on 28 June. However, it was agreed by ACTMA, has been a doozie of a year. Just one of the impacts of the last Little Athletics and AACT in conjunction on 19 June that com- six months has been the cancellation of sporting club and group petition in the ACT would not resume until 1 July. The RWH activities. Like many Canberrans we got out into nature as for July is at Little Black Mountain and we have been granted a soon as we could to help keep our bodies and minds healthy. permit to use the course for our 26 July event. The bushfires caused such devastation throughout our beau- tiful country and while we were so lucky here in Canberra not To help prepare us for this event after a three-month ab- to have the ordeal of fighting fires on our doorstep, the constant sence it is proposed that we use the Mt Ainslie course as a smoke created an environment we have never experienced. Un- training run/walk on Sunday 28 June. Consider this a able to get outside and enjoy the summer with our kids we re- “Tuesday Group” activity, but held on a Sunday. Please note mained inside with family and friends trying to make the most that this is not a formal Club event and there will not be any of being together. facilities available or organised services, other than a starter. In recent months we experienced a full 180 with the COVID- There will be a sign–up sheet to assist with contact tracing 19 pandemic requiring us to keep our distance from loved ones should that become necessary. Bring your own water please but, gratefully, being able to enjoy the outdoors again. We de- and rug up as it will probably be a very cold day. It would be good to have many of our regulars there. cided to make the most of these unprecedented circumstances Not all of us will be at the same level of fitness and it is pro- and the stunning Canberra bushlands by going on regular ad- posed to start groups of similar fitness levels in waves, just to venture walks. add a modicum of interest and competitiveness. The long During this difficult time, we have relished getting out into course is 9.3 km and circumvents Mt Ainslie. It is quite undu- nature with our kids and helping them build their endurance lating and challenging. We will start in waves of up to 20. The and enthusiasm for walking. Starting with smaller hills close to first wave will set off at 9.00 and will consist of those running at home, we explored Oakey Hill, Cooleman Ridge and Red Hill 8 minutes per km pace (self-seeding), followed by the 7 minute regularly before checking out some tougher walks like Mt Tay- group at 9.09, the 6 minute group at 9.18, the 5 minute group at lor, Mt Arawang, and Gibraltar Peak, just to name a few. 9.27 and the 4 minute group at 9.36. There will be no timing Our kids have taken to it well. At five and almost three their services provided. walking skills have really developed. We generally opt to leave The short course is 4.5 km and is ‘an out and back’, starting the backpack carrier in the car now and often get through the and finishing at the same start line as for the long course. walk without whinging and requests to be carried – winning! There will be a sign at the turn around point. We will have We love playing ‘I-spy’ and looking out for Gang Gangs, wal- wave starts for this course as well with groups of runners at 8, labies, lizards, rosellas and eagles. 7, 6, 5 and 4 minutes/km pace starting 4 minutes apart, while Our little family feels blessed to have found this silver lin- the groups of walkers will set off 6 minutes apart. ing, to reconnect with nature and with one another. It is won- Members who are awaiting COVID-19 test results should derful now to be able to share these experiences with extended not attend this event. Members who are feeling unwell should family and friends. also not attend this event. Members who do attend this event I hope all members are managing to navigate these difficult and who subsequently test positive should notify Robbie times and look forward to reading about what others have been Costmeyer on 0448 087 054. The Club will engage with ACT doing to keep fit. Health as necessary to assist in any contact tracing activities. If members have concerns they may ring the COVID-19 Public Lauren Watt Hotline on (02) 6207 7244. The risk of COVID-19 in Canberra is currently considered very low as there have been no new cases ▼Peter Clarke, the chief Starter for the practice at Mt. Ainslie on detected in the community for some four weeks. Sunday (photo; John Kennedy) If you would like to register your intention to attend you Charlotte and Arthur Watt heading to the top of Oakey Hill- may send an email to [email protected] stating between Lyons and Curtin. (Photo Lauren Watt) ▼ your preference for the short or long course and providing your mobile phone number please. Or just turn up on the day and provide the starter with that information. You are invited to join the run/walk handicap subcommittee on Sunday 28th June for a run or walk at our Mt Ainslie course, commencing at 0900. As we ‘return to play’ the situation is constantly changing and ACTMA may need to cancel events on short notice as per ACT Government and/or AACT advice. Please monitor your Bulletins for updates.

RWH Committee 19 June 2020 July 2020 Vetrunner — page 7

July Run/Walk Handicap —Little Black Mountain 9.00am start 26 July 2020

Course Description – Little Black Mountain The Start/Finish area is located on Bindubi Street in Aranda, between William Hovell Drive and Bandjalong Crescent/ Lyttleton Crescent. Look for the powerlines which cross Bindubi Street.

Thomas Series (long course) = 9.0k; Frylink/Waddell Series (short course) = 4.5k

The start is 60m east of the gate under the power lines. The two short courses are out and back and the long course takes in a loop of Little Black Mountain before rejoining the outward track to return. All three courses proceed to the first track on the right and then follow this track which leads to the underpass under Gungahlin Drive. The short course turn is 650m past the underpass. The long course continues straight on past the short course turn for approximately 600m, turns sharp right at a junction, then left and then right again to start the loop around Little Black Mountain. The course then rejoins the outward track to return to the start.

Club Sponsors Members are entitled to discounts on prices for goods As part of their sponsorship arrangements with the purchased from The Runners Shop and for services from Club, The Runners Shop and Kingston Physiotherapy Kingston Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Centre and and Sports Injury Centre each remit to the Club a the Walking Clinic. The Walking clinic is currently payment equivalent to a percentage of their sales to celebrating its 40th birthday. Congratulations. Please inform The Runners Shop that you are a Club member members. Nick Walshe of The Runners Shop and Craig when you make a purchase, and inform the Kingston Wisdom of the Kingston Physiotherapy and Sports Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Centre and The Injury Centre are Club members. Walking Clinic that you are a Club member when you book a session. Page 8 —July 2020 Vetrunner

What do you do when you are not competing?

A virtual Lake Burley Griffin Open European Masters 5km Virtual Challenge Reporter; Val Chesterton Reporter; Bruce Graham This is the task I set our athletes before the long week- The challenge could take place from 9th to 21st May for end. “Due to the current difficulties, like other athletics activi- the price of a coffee. 430 competitors took part including for- ties, the Lake Burley Griffin Walking Carnival was unable to mer Olympians, current European champions. We were com- take place this year. The Carnival has been conducted by ACT peting for Australia. European countries included Great Brit- Walkers for the past 53 years during the Queen’s Birthday ain, Ireland, Germany, Spain, Austria, Finland, Sweden, Ro- long weekend in June. To keep up the tradition it was decided mania, Portugal, Belgium, Netherlands, France, Poland, Cay- to hold a virtual Carnival and all are welcome to participate man Islands, Russia, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta...I won't whether you’re a fitness walker or a race walker. name them all. Our results were submitted with proof of time, The program of events intended for this year is the place and distance through Strava or Garmin Connect (we same as normal. Pick your distance. Your event can be used a GPS watch). Course needed to start and finish in same completed anywhere at any time during the weekend between place, no downhill with a tailwind. Organiser was Kurt 7am Saturday to 5pm Monday. The good thing is that if you Kaschke from Germany who is EMA President. are not in Canberra you can still participate! Several ACT Masters members who regularly train to- Events must be completed between 7am Saturday and gether participated. We ran the runs at Stromlo, both on grass 5pm Monday. All results should be sent to me via email by and the criterium track when it was safe. 6pm Monday Results will be emailed to you Monday evening”. “Congratulations to Bruce Graham 1st M55 16:31 95.11% ; Steve Rohan-Jones M50 17:34 83.33% ; Jeff Grey M55 18:43 And the LBG virtual 2020 race results: 82.59% ; Helen Larmour W60 22:32 82.27%.” Bruce was 4th Open 15K 1 Ann Staunton Jugovic 1:35:24 on age graded overall. Of those above Bruce’s ranking was U20 Mens 10k 1 Mitchell Baker 47:51 Pauline Moran (Ireland) and Clare Wall who are multiple Eu- Womens 5k 1 Ann Staunton Jugovic 29:47 2 Kate Black ropean champions on track and XC, Tommy competed in the 32:44:30 1992 Olympic Marathon in Barcelona. In 2019 he ran 2:27:52 U14 Girls 2k Lilah Norden 12:49:31 (age record) in the Frankfurt Marathon aged 59. (from results Boys U14 2k Owen Toyne 9:23 website) Girls U10 1k Essie Norden 7:10 Boys U10 1k Reo Norden Gabe Brown, Jennifer Kellett and Clare Wall also took 7:26. part with competitive runs on the final day, were unable to Fitness Walks submit times. 15k 1 Mick Saunders 2:17:00 2 Monika Short 2:17:00 2 Robyn Open EMA 10km Virtual Challenge runs in June, other Saunders 2:17:00 4 Geoff Barker 2:30:00. distances later in the year. Enter here: 8k 1 Casey Norden 1:05:35 2 Robert Kennelly 1:11:06 3 Val https://data.opentrack.run/x/2020/CHE/ema_june/ Chesterton 1:13:34 4 Phil Essam 1:27:50 5 David Mackenzie 1:32:00. Members may be interested to know 2020 Worldwide Vir- 4k Jack Thackray 37:33. tual Masters Challenge will take place 18th July to 2nd Au-

Congratulations to all. gust in lieu of the cancelled WMA Championships in Toronto. It includes almost all track and field events including walking Val Chesterton and throws. (Editor’s note; Your editor took part in this virtual event on a https://www.mastersrankings.com/2020-worldwide-virtual- fine sunny Queen’s birthday Monday. The wind was about zero masters-challenge/?unapproved=8263&moderation- and conditions great. I did eight laps on the 1km part of the hash=7ed3aa0311c45caf75cb448de5506e00 criterium course.) Bruce Graham Jack Thackray M85 after his 4km win- Some of the ACT masters in the European Challenge; from left; Gabe Brown, ning walk (Photo Hilary Thackray) Emma Adams, Bruce Graham, Maria O’Reilly, Leonor Lawler and Helen Lar- mour. (photo; Bruce Graham) July 2020 Vetrunner — page 9 Recent history of the Woden Athletics Track Editor’s note; I recently invited our Historian Bryan Thomas, members today. John and Mary are occasional competitors in the Chair of ACT Athletics Neil Boden and Robin Whyte, doyen of the monthly run/walk and throwing handicap respectively but Canberra’s race walkers and others to share their stories/ Bryan is the only person who continues to be a regular participant at track and field. histories of the Woden Athletics Track. Reporter; Club Historian Bryan Thomas FIRST SEASON WAS A SUCCESS Three newcomers to our inaugural track and field season had OUR PAST RELATIONSHIP WITH WODEN ATHLETICS FIELD demonstrated dramatic improvement almost every Wednesday The Woden Athletics Field with its grass track was once the evening. M35 Peter Freeman, a regular participant in most run- HQ of local athletics as well as being an important venue for ning, jumping and throwing events, dropped his body weight ‘Little As’ and a variety of training groups for many years. It was from 16 to 14 stone (102kg to 90kg). Week after week Frank also where we conducted our first two full seasons of track and Green, formerly an elite cyclist but now proving also to be a field - in 1982-83 and 1983-84. We then moved to Bruce Stadium champion long distance runner, produced excellent performances initially to the main track for two years until it was converted to in all races longer than 800m. Frank’s most memorable race was a football ground which forced us to shift to the present AIS when he set a new ACT Record for the M45 5000m of 15.57. W50 Track then referred to as the training track. Maureen O’Shea only began jogging just before the 1982 Canber- ra Times Fun Run but ran and jumped quicker and further each In 2015 the Woden Athletics Field was updated from a grass time she ventured to the track. track to a new state-of-the-art athletics facility so in October we conducted our first Thursday night track and field meet at our More than forty ACT Records were set during our season- new “home” venue. However, in earlier years we had been forced ending championships in February 1983. Several members were to temporarily relocate from the AIS to Woden on a number of multi‑record setters - W30 Jo Cullen set records for 1500, 5000 occasions such as during the first half of the 1999-2000 season and 10,000m; W35 Denise Brown in javelin, long jump, high because the AIS Track was replaced in preparation for the Syd- jump and shot put; W40 Jen Bourke1500, 5000 and 10,000m; ney Olympics then fourteen years later when the track was re- W50 Maureen O'Shea 100, 200 and 1500m and long jump; M45 newed again. Ken Daniels 100 and 200m and long jump; and John Brikcius for the M50 100m, long jump and high jump. Demand for regular track and Field meetings Occasional athletics meets had been conducted during the PRESTIGIOUS TRACK AND FIELD AWARDS club’s first few years, for example Ken Daniels organised several At the conclusion of our first full athletics season three of our twilight meets at Holder Oval in February 1980; but the summer most treasured track and field awards, the Johnson Trophy, of 1982-83 marks the beginning of our regular weekly track and Heart Foundation Trophy and Fristad Awards, were introduced. field program. The first recipients of these prestigious trophies were announced at a dinner/dance/awards evening held in April 1983 at the Italia Our commitment to conducting a regular track and field pro- -Australian Club in Forrest. Maggie and Alan Johnson proposed gram came about because many members expressed an opinion we should: “recognise those who most benefit from their participa- that the ACTVAC should be more than just a club for long dis- tion and also put a lot into the successful conduct of our athletics tance runners. Acting on this proposal a sub-committee of Ken program”. Thus the Johnson Trophy for club-person of the sea- Daniels, Maggie Johnson, Terry Munro, Bryan Thomas and son was established and W40 Bev Macleod was the inaugural Mary Wahren were given the task to plan and conduct a full recipient. The Heart Foundation, keen to promote healthy activi- summer track and field season. Our inaugural season com- ty amongst senior citizens, donated a trophy for a member who menced at the grass Woden Athletics Track Wednesday evening had “demonstrated their health had benefited because of their 3 November 1982 and because the facility lacked lighting the participation in local veterans’ track and field”. M35 Peter Free- program commenced at 5.30pm. Although the club owned several man was the first name engraved upon the trophy. Champion stop watches all other equipment was borrowed by Bryan Thom- veteran sportsman M60 Audun Fristad donated a set of trophies as who at the time was a senior teacher at Campbell High (and did so every year until his passing in 2004) to honour our School. The organizers were thrilled when seventy vets (53 men three most outstanding male and female athletes. The Fristad and 17 women) arrived with their 50c entry fee ready to partici- Award has since become one of our most sought-after awards; pate. The youngest were three W30 women (Jill Clarke, Ynys the 1983 winners were M55 thrower Charlie Rann and W35 Grecian and Sue Hatcher) and thirteen M35 men. (Note at the racewalker Judy Johnson; M40 Paul Rudkin and W55 Joy Ban- time although thirty year old women were eligible to compete in nister were runners-up while M45 Ken Daniels and W50 Jocelyn veterans’ athletics men had to be thirty-five). The most senior Neave were third male and female respectively. (cont. p. 10) competitors that evening were M65 Joe Mayer who ran the distance race and W45 Mary Wahren who not only did a lot of offici- ating but also found time to do the long jump and javelin.

The first night's program began with a 2 mile race won by M45 Terry Munro (2017 picture below left) in the time of 10.48, then a series of 200m sprints, javelin throws and long jumps. Brian Paxman had established a list of club track and field records that had been set since 1980 then in 1982 he handed the task to Bryan Thomas who subsequently forwarded it on to Quentin Anthony in 1985. Because most participants had previ- ously only had limited opportunity to compete in track and field, ACT Records were set or established in almost every event held on this evening. M40 Bryan Thomas was one of the new record holders when he earned his one and only club record by hurling the spear 36.38m. Maggie Johnson made certain a special supper was provided on this very first evening; so was born one of the essential elements of our popular track and field meets.

John Bakker, Ken Daniels, Peter Freeman, Peter Frylink, Terry Munro, Bryan Thomas and Mary Wahren (photo bottom right) participated in that historic first evening and are still Page 10—July 2020 Vetrunner ` Recent history of the Woden Athletics Track (cont) Cont. from p.9 Woden Park Athletics Facility – a 2nd Synthetic OUR PAST RELATIONSHIP WITH WODEN ATHLETICS FIELD Track for Canberra

Other events associated with Woden Reporter; President ACT Athletics and ACTMA member, Neil Boden In late 1983 the LOC was preparing to conduct the 1984 Oce- In recent years I have often been asked how our sport man- ania/Australian Veterans’ Championships to be held at Easter aged to convince the ACT Government to construct a synthetic 1984. Paul Rudkin, a very good cross-country runner and steeple- athletics track at Woden Park. So following a little prompting from your ‘Vetrunner’ editor I am providing this short history. chaser, was one of the organising committee and he believed the Championships would be an excellent opportunity to show case The Early Days the quality of distance running in Canberra. So Paul organised The ‘Phillip Athletics Field’ was the main venue for track and weekly interval training sessions for about a dozen members. field in Canberra when it was established in 1970 following the Every Tuesday afternoon Paul and his training group met out- relocation of athletics meets from Ainslie Oval. It became the side the Woden Field to run a series of timed intervals on a one ‘home ground’ of the Woden Harriers with club training taking mile dirt track circuit around Woden Cemetery. place most afternoons of the week. Rather coincidentally in re-

Between 1988 and 1991 John Mahoney conducted our annual searching material for this article I uncovered a press clipping which reported that my wife, Kerry (nee Monck), competing in club cross-country championships on a four-lap grass circuit in her first season of competition with the South Canberra Athletics the area adjacent to Woden Cemetery and the athletics field. Club in December 1970, won the U13 ACT Pentathlon Champi- (Note neither Paul or John’s circuits would be possible today be- onships at Woden with a score of 2642 points where Association cause housing has been built upon much of this area). Officials described Kerry’s effort as “the most outstanding perfor- The soft grass track that was easy on the leg muscles and the mance in the women’s events and she is a girl with a lot of natu- low key atmosphere of the small and intimate facility appeared ral talent for hurdling and jumping.” to be popular with members when we had to locate there from The first international competition took place in April 1973 our base at the AIS. The 1999 ‘Gift’, our special annual handicap with the ACT competing against a NZ Under 23 Team. There sprint, suffered because severe late afternoon thunder storms were occasional events held on the Duntroon cinders track how- kept many sprinters away and made the grass track at Woden ever Defence were reluctant to let others use the facility. Woden heavy and slow never-the-less M30 Vince Craig and W45 Mar- Park continued as the main athletics venue until the Bruce lene Reid were the winners. Track (now GIO Stadium) was developed in time for the Pacific On the occasions we had to relocate our pre-Christmas meet Conference Games in late 1977. In more recent times it has been from Bruce to Woden we usually conducted an alternative pro- home for the Woden Little Athletics Club. gram focusing on fun and participation. The events that made up The Election Promise the special meet originally included the Finnish Gum Boot In the wake of the 2003 Canberra bushfires the ACT Govern- Throw, Ambidextrous Shot Put, 400m Pro Handicap, Lord ment committed to building a brand new athletics facility within Burghley Champagne Hurdles, Long Jump Handicap, Twosome the Stromlo Forest Park development – in fact I attended the 2km and the 10 x 100m Shuttle Walk Relay. Winners and place first round of meetings with sporting organisations at Canberra getters were honoured on the victory podium and presented with Stadium where the consultants had clearly identified the green- chocolate medallions. It was mandatory that no one was allowed field site on the 30-year future plan. However in subsequent to leave without winning at least one ‘medal’. One year we con- years it became obvious that neither political party was prepared ducted a ‘Sprintathon’ in which competitors ran a series of to commit the large scale public expenditure (said to be around sprints (60, 100, 200 and 400m) and another year it was a $20M) required to build a new track at Stromlo. In 2012, with no ‘Distathon’ that consisted of 800, 1000, 2000 and 3000m races. prior warning, the ACT Chief Minister, Katie Gallagher, made a No matter what type of informal program was run it was always pre-election promise to fund the construction of a southside ath- overshadowed by the appearance of Santa and his Elves. Santa’s letic facility should the ALP win the election… which they did! Elves not only handed out lollies and “good cheer” but also joined in the relays. The Feasibility Study In late 2012 the Canberra firm ‘Cardno’ was commissioned by Bryan Thomas ACT Sport & Recreation Services to provide a feasibility report

on the conversion of an existing grass athletics track on the ACT WALKERS CLUB southside of Canberra to an IAAF accredited synthetic surface to Robin Whyte has the following offerings to make. accommodate the full suite of track and field events. (cont. p.12) “The Walkers Club did conduct an evening midweek race on the grass track for quite some time. The Club stopped holding these Work at the start of the 100m. (all photos; Neil Boden) events when the Veterans Ath- letic Club started a midweek program which also included a walk. This of course caused a conflict of interest for Veteran athletes if not wanting to or not able to participate two nights a week; whether to compete with the Walkers Club or the Veter- ans Athletic Club. Fortunately because the Walkers Club included juniors an agreement was reached with the Vets, in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding to allow juniors to compete in the walks at the Veterans Athletics Club meet. Robin Whyte July 2020 Vetrunner — page 11

Vetrunner Online Editorial Comment (cont.)

The Vetrunner is on line at the following website: thanks your contributions are crucial. Continued thanks to http://www.actmastersathletics.org.au/index.php? our many photographers who help bring our stories alive module=Vetrunner&action=Vetrunner.ListView and our proof readers Dave Mackenzie and Cory Collins. Black and white hard copies will be available at the end of In the August Vetrunner we are expecting more detailed the pandemic at the run/walk and throwing handicaps and information on the handicaps, run/walk and throwing, and Track & Field meets. the restrictions we will need to observe. Also there will be information on the AGM and the Annual report. Submissions for July Vetrunner A very big welcome back to Lauren Watt (former editor 2013 to 2015) joining me as co-editor for the August Vetrun- Due by: Saturday 11th July 2020 ner. We hope to be reporting on our first competition, All copy and queries for the August edition to the editor Throws Pentathlon, on Sunday 12 July. at: [email protected] Late submissions may We continue to look forward to receiving your stories, only be accepted if space allows. poems, songs, running, walking throwing tips, dance rou- tines and safe training in physically distanced groups of 100 Articles or less,....all with photos. Please be imaginative as you have All reports, articles and stories submitted for inclusion three weeks (11 July) to pen/photograph your creations. in Vetrunner should be created in Word, in Century School- Please carefully watch for your bulletin each Monday. book 9pt. font. I welcome member’s contribution which is of an athletic theme, or tells of that member achieving an Robert Kennelly [email protected] important milestone or award, or just has a story to tell that relates to a person’s background outside of athletics. These include photographs and illustrations where possible Your Emergency Contact? or appropriate. Minor editing may be undertaken. Letters The Registrar of the Club, asks that you check to the editor are welcome. It is important that the club has the website and ensure the club has an emergency a vehicle for receiving and answering constructive factual contact for you. The club has, at least, a moral obliga- criticism and comments. tion to let your nearest know if you have encountered As a general rule I will publish material that is publicly health issues at an ACTMA event. Also please advise acknowledged. Articles submitted to Vetrunner but not Nigel when changing phone numbers and or email published are usually the result of page limitations, and addresses. Contact Nigel England at: may be included in the following edition of Vetrunner. Con- Email: [email protected] structive comment is welcome and should be addressed to the editor at: [email protected] Photos Half-Price Membership When taking photos/selfies of your training now safely From 1 May each year, annual in groups of ten, please ensure that you are looking to- membership is discounted to $33. wards your phone/camera and the background does not Now’s the chance to renew if you detract from the importance of the moment. Please ask the forgot, or sign up a keen friend. subjects if they would mind removing their sunglasses. All Although there are no events at the in all, check your surroundings before clicking. Action pho- moment, members receive the weekly tos are particularly welcome. Photos may be cropped Bulletin, to stay up to date with when we start up again. where appropriate. Please ensure photos are sharp and sent as large photos. Small or blurry photos are unusable. To renew membership or join the club, go the club’s website, and following the links to the Membership to the Editorial Comment RevSport portal. www.actmastersathletics.org.au, under the first tab —> Membership, click on RevSport and Welcome to the third edition of our non sport reporting follow the prompts. If you don’t have internet access, Vetrunners, though if you look carefully there are some please call the registrar to arrange a manual renewal. results for ghost, virtual and/or individual events (see p.8). (0477 341 333) This is a very exciting edition of our Vetrunner as it The 2020-2021 Membership Year starts on 1 October. shows a way to our ‘return to play’ Please see lead article p.1. (copy provided by club Secretary, Suzie Gaynor). On P.7 is the run/walk handicaps sub committee’s reboot plan and of course the usual calendar of events (with less red lines!) on pp. 13 and 15. I have spoken to all the coaches and lead- ers of training squads and their details are updated at the bottom of p.13. Suzie Gaynor has provided photos and info on the latest club uniforms and paraphernalia. Also a major story on the Woden Athletics track and our connection to it from Neil Boden, Bryan Thomas and Robin Whyte. Again thanks to all our contributors Consie Larmour, Nigel England, Lauren Watt, Lachlan Lewis, Rosemary Parker. Appreciation to Neil Boden for his guidance on the ACTMA connections to our successes at the recent Athletics Australia award presentations. In months where there is no competition to report the editor starts with thirteen blank pages!! So it is not only Page 12 — July 2020 Vetrunner Recent history of the Woden Athletics Track (cont)

Cont. from p.10 initial excavation work was largely finished and work then started on the actual ground works. Work continued through- Subsequently representatives from ACT Athletics, ACT Vet- out 2014 and was handed-over around February/March 2015 erans, ACT Little Athletics and Capital Football, met with allowing a few T&F meets to be conducted towards the end of Cardno representatives who were evaluating options for a new the summer athletics season. ACT Little Athletics moved into track on the southside. All five (5) identified venues, at Banks, their new office in April 2015. ACT Sport & Recreation has sub- Calwell, Chapman, Kambah and Woden (used by ACT Little sequently indicated that the final cost of the redevelopment of Athletics Clubs) had constraints in areas such as parking, facili- Woden Park was around $7M. ties, noise and lighting disruption, and available space. While the athletic attendees jointly supported a preference for Stromlo The Equipment Shed Fire for a new track, Woden Park was identified as the best of the Monday 8 October 2018 was a very sad day in the young life southside options presented. of the Woden Park Athletics Facility. An arson attack on the joint Equipment Shed by a group of drug-fuelled youths caused The Construction Phase a $200,000 loss of equipment and infrastructure forcing disrup- Following a lengthy consultation period, where representa- tion of all athletics competition for several months. The total tives from the 3 main athletics organisations met regularly with loss of the shed impacted significantly on the members of all ACT Sport & Recreation and Cardno, earthworks commenced in four athletics organisations who had devoted so much time and the latter part of 2013. One key engineering concern was the effort in establishing Woden Park as a first class athletics facili- close proximity of the drain running along the eastern edge of ty. the proposed new track. The limited space also meant that only 2 long /triple jump pits could be constructed, both on the west- The Future ern side of the track. During the following year Woden Park The uncertain future of the AIS, with some media articles was transformed into a new athletics facility incorporating a suggesting a 50% reduction to the current footprint, has cast rubber-based red-coloured synthetic 400m track, a specially doubts about the long term future of the AIS Track and has designed 2-storey photo finish/administration building adjacent therefore highlighted the importance of Woden Park. As a re- to the finish line, a new office for ACT Little Athletics, a new shared equipment shed, and internal parking for around 50 ve- sult it is in the interests of the Canberra athletics community to hicles. not only maximise usage of the new facility but also to maintain a strong relationship with ACT Sport & Recreation in order to The Photo Finish System An essential requirement for the new facility was the instal- address some of the deficiencies with Woden including the old lation of a photo finish system which replicated the equipment and outdated amenities block and the lack of a grandstand to at the AIS Track. Providing electronic timing using internation- accommodate major events. al standard camera and photo finish equipment was an essen- Neil Boden tial equipment acquisition, not only to allow local athletes to set qualifying performances for national and international competi- Below; Looking out of the part constructed judge’s box to the tion but also to attract major athletics events to Canberra. The winning post. Further below; looking beyong the winning post to latter happened a little earlier than expected when the ACT the back straight. (photos; Neil Boden) athletics community rallied to conduct the Australian Primary Schools Athletics Championships at Woden Park in December 2015 where in excess of 2,000 people crammed into the new facility on all 3 days of competition. This equipment came at a significant cost, at around $60,000. ACT Sport & Recreation came to the rescue with a grant of $24,500 and AACT, LAACT, and ACTVAC contributed $10,000 each. The Photo Finish Building was a significant part of the construction project during 2014 with its positioning adjacent to the finish line critical to accommodating the photo finish camera. In this respect the athletics community owes a huge ‘thankyou’ to Mick Morris for his work and expertise in setting- up the whole facility, building included, to ensure Woden was equipped with a state-of–the-art photo finish and results processing system.

The Acquisition of New Equipment In September 2014 a joint ‘equipment committee’ was formed with representatives from AACT/LAACT/ACTVAC/ Woden LAC with a key agenda to prioritise the purchase of the huge amount of equipment required. Unlike the AIS Track, where most equipment comes with the hire of the facility, the Canberra athletics community were responsible for equipping Woden Park. An initial audit resulted in a 3-year wish list’ to- talling in excess of $250,000 including costly items such as High Jump and Pole Vault Mats, Hurdles, and Steeples. ACT Sport and Recreation again provided tremendous financial assistance via equipment grants in 2013-14 and 2014-15 to the extent of $60,000 which allowed essential equipment to be acquired to enable track and field competition to commence in the early part of 2015. The Opening of the New Track Construction work commenced as soon as the winter season (i.e. football) finished in 2013 and by early January 2014 the June 2020 July 2020Vetrunner Vetrunner — page — page13 13 Calendars of at Home Events Calendar of Away Events ACTMA events are shown in bold, other events will be included as soon as we have confirmation of their programs.  AMA 20k Road Walk Championships 2020 on August June 2020 30, 2020 Sat 27 Throws Handicap, 1.00pm Masson St.  AMA Winter Throws Championships 2 to 5 October, Sun 28 Run/Walk handicap, 9.00am Mt. Ainslie 2020 Wollongong, NSW. July 2020  OMA Championships - Provisional dates: 17-23 Jan, Tues 7 Club dinner; Venue TBA 2021 Norfolk Island. Sun 12 Throws pentathlon  AMA Track and Field Championships in Canberra 5 to 8 Sat 25 Throws Handicap, 1.00pm Masson St. March 2021. Sun 26 Run/Walk handicap, 9.00am Little Black Mt.  WMA Indoor Championships 6-13 April, 2021 Edmonton, August 2020 Canada Tues 4 Club dinner; Venue TBA  Games of the XXXII Olympiad 23 July to 8 Aug 2021, Sun 16 Heavy weight pentathlon Tokyo. Sat 29 Throws Handicap, 1.00pm Masson St.  Australian Masters Games in Perth in 2021 Sun 30 Run/Walk handicap, 9.00am Coombs Molonglo.  AMA Track and Field Championships in Hobart in 2022 September 2020  Birmingham Commonwealth Games 27 July to 7 Aug 2022. Tues 1 Club dinner; Venue TBA  WMA Outdoor Championships Gothenberg Sweden Sun 13 Oceania Throws pentathlon Challenge 2022 from August 17, 2022 to August 27, 2022 Sat 26 Throws Handicap, 1.00pm Masson St.  Games of the XXXII1 Olympiad 2024, Paris Sun 27 Run/Walk handicap, 9.00am O’Connor Ridge . Meetings and other regular events

ACTMA General Committee Meetings monthly on the last Monday of the month at the Ainslie Footy Club, 52 Wakefield Ave, AGM Postponed Ainslie at 7.00pm. Contact Secretary Suzie Gaynor: [email protected] The ACT Government has granted a ACTMA Monthly Weight Pentathlons at 9am at Masson Street, blanket extension of time to conduct AGMs Turner Contact Jayne Hardy 0421 610 053. to all incorporated associations in the ACT. Customs Joggers meet every Friday at Stage 88 in Commonwealth Park at 12.15pm. Mike Stracey 6258 8756 This blanket extension recognises that mass gatherings are not possible during the Lake Tuggeranong Stakes every Tuesday on the lake edge near KFC at 12.20pm. Peter Thomson 0407 702 683 COVID-19 restrictions. BBQ Stakes Handicap every Wednesday from the Senior Citizens Although a new date for the AGM won’t Club in Woden at 12.10pm. Adrian Plunkett 6283 2388.

be set for some time, the Main Committee YCRC Women’s and Girls Jogalong at Weston Park on the first and Sub-Committees will continue to prepare Sunday of the month at 9am (8am in summer).

and publish the Annual Report for your Lake Ginninderra Handicap, last Tuesday of the month, from reading during this ‘quiet time’ in social outside the Lighthouse Bar at 12.20pm. Simon Wall 0404 859 404.

hibernation. Mount Ainslie Run Up, first Tuesday from Treloar Crescent behind the War Memorial at 12.45pm. John Harding 6244 1153. If you have a photo worthy of publishing in the annual report, please send it in for Black Mountain Run Up, held on the third Tuesday at 12.45pm, Clunies Ross St, 100m south of Botanic Gardens Entrance. John Harding 6248 6905. consideration: [email protected] Parkrun 5km run or walk held at various locations around Canberra including Weston Park, Lake Ginninderra, Tuggeranong, Coombs, Ainslie & Queanbeyan every Saturday at 8.00 AM.

Join a Training Group: Improve Your Fitness Coaching and Training groups Non - Accredited Coaches and Training Groups Groups of Masters athletes conduct training sessions around These groups are led by a group coordinator (trainer) who will train with you Canberra. To train with any one of the groups you should contact the but is not an Athletics Australia accredited coach. All ACTMA member group coordinator listed. It’s always fun to train with others, to share athletes are covered by our club’s public liability insurance but not the skills and knowledge. Runners, throwers, jumpers and walkers of all trainer. levels are welcome. As a member of our club participating in Fran Harris: Strength, sprints and hurdles training at the Belconnen Oval events out of normal hours the level of public liability on Monday mornings. 6230 2341 (h) insurance varies, see below for details. Please be aware of the John Hunt: Jumps. Sundays, 11:00am at the AIS track. 6241 9392 (h) social distancing rules. Please see lead article on page 1. currently in recess

Accredited Coaches Training Groups Geoff Moore: Distance interval training. (Speedy Geese) Mondays, These groups are led by an Athletics Australia accredited coach. All Thursdays and Sundays, times and places vary. 0425 276 811` ACTMA member athletes and accredited coaches are covered by our Greg Stretton: Middle distance training. Sundays except long weekends, club’s public liability insurance. 9.00am, also Tuesdays and Thursdays at Canberra Boys Grammar School, cnr. Val Chesterton: Strength, speed & general fitness for runners, of Mugga Way / Flinders Way. 0406 377040 jumpers & walkers, Calwell Playing Fields, Fridays 9am, 8.30am in ‘Tuesday group’: long distance running and walking. Tuesdays summer. 6292 8994. (has not restarted) 9:00am at Black Mountain Peninsula. page 14—July 2020 Vetrunner The Way We Were: July 2020 Historian: Bryan Thomas Our annual cross-country championships were again held in Weston Park where men under 60 ran 12km while men 40 YEARS AGO (July 1980). over 60 and all women did the two lap 8km course. Age group Nineteen participated in the 7.5km Capital Hill running handicap that ran around the streets of Forrest and even winners for the longer event were – M45 Peter Thompson, crossed the busy roads at Manuka. It was only used for a few M50 Geoff Hawke and M55 Trevor Jacobs while best on the years as it was considered dangerous and inappropriate. Lau- 8km were - M60 Robbie Costemeyer, M65 Bernie Millett, M70 rie Sorahan was the winner, in front of Keith Hodgson and Peter Trotter, M80 Rad Leovic; W35 Michelle Wells, W40 Brett Odgers. Terry Munro was the fastest. Katie Forestier, W50 Kathy Southgate, W55 Robyn McClel- land, W60 Penny Becker and W75 Anne Young. 30 YEARS AGO (July 1990). The 15th Oceania Masters Athletics Championships We lost a foundation member when Tony Hammett (AM in Papeete, Tahiti may well have been a significant milestone for his role as Commanding Officer of the 6th Battalion de- in the evolution of our sport within the region because of the ployed to Darwin after Cyclone Tracy) was killed when the relatively high proportion of Pacific Islanders participating. Of executive jet he was piloting crashed near Kingaroy, Qld. Tony the 278 participants (158 men and 120 women) 83 were locals last participated with us in 1987 having run 19 handicaps, (French Polynesians), 30 representing the Cook Islands, nine being placed three times. He represented Australia in the from New Caledonia and one man from Nauru. Many of the 98 modern pentathlon at the 1960 Rome Olympic Games. Australians and 68 New Zealanders, emerging from mid- Twenty-five men and twelve women turned out for the winter, would have been affected by the heat and humidity of first of our second season of indoor T&F held in the Tally the tropical setting. All 13 Canberrans returned with a medal, Room at NATEX. The program consisted of a 50m dash, 360m most with several. Our representatives were – W70 Cory Col- (two laps), 720m (four laps), 2,700m (fifteen laps), medicine lins, W75 Consie Larmour, M60 Gary Maher and M45 Mat- ball throw, standing triple jump and 10 x 1 lap relay. thew Muell featured in all the sprints; W70 Suzanne Counsel The second throwing handicap attracted twenty-three and W75 Joan Mallory ran 5000m and cross-country, M60 Bob participants to throw the discus. M65 Ewen Drummond won and W65 Janice Banens, W45 Jayne Hardy, W50 Sharon Gib- from Andrina Norden and Judy Dann. W50 Jen Bourke hurled bins and M65 Ray Green were prominent in all the throws the discus 22.56m for the first of her numerous ACT records. while W65 Fran Harris won both the steeplechase and long This month we conducted two running handicaps be- hurdles. Cory also did the 800m, as did Gary who also partici- cause of there being no dates available in June. The June pated in the long hurdles and pentathlon. Matthew was one of Handicap, run on July 8 was on the 8.5km Hospital Jetty the busiest athletes at the championships adding the hurdles, course. 105 ran in very cold and windy (with sleet) conditions. all three jumps and even the decathlon to his efforts in the Greg O’Neill won from Di Roberson and Mike Adler. The July sprints. Handicap was held July 29 on the 9km Copland College The Blewitt Pines area was the venue for our monthly course. M75 Joe Mayer won from Alan Williams and Brian run/walk handicap. The long course was won by Megan Hay- Wenn. Paul Rake and Mary Ann Busteed were the fastest. lock from Helen Larmour and Janene Kingston. Mike Dwyer 20 YEARS AGO (July 2000). won the gold medal in the Frylink event ahead of Tony Harri- Anton Tesija was our first M70 (1984). He was an out- son and Gwen Gleeson. Linda Bone narrowly won the walk standing thrower and coach, He held several Australian Rec- handicap from Alice Scott and Robert Parker. Jim White was ords for hammer and discus, and in July 2000 set an M85 presented with his ‘200 handicaps’ shirt while Tony Fenotti World Record when he flung the hammer 28.01m. Despite liv- and Consie Larmour earned their ‘50’. ing thousands of kilometers away in Crivenica, Croatia he re- This month’s throwing handicap, incorporating jave- mained a member of the ACTVAC. Anton was throws coach for lin and hammer, was won by Geoff Crumpton ahead of Duncan Yugoslavia at the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games. In 1960 he Macnicol (see picture below taken by Suzie Gaynor) and . after returned to Australia and settled in Canberra and immediate- being an interested observer at a couple of handicaps club ly became involved in the local athletics scene. Anton was a president Rachelle Ellis-Brownlee decided to “have a go” and member of an official Australian team to the first international with some expert coaching by local champion Jayne Hardy athletics championships for men over 40 held in London and Rachelle managed to land the hammer within the sector. W65 Cologne in 1972. Twelve years later he replaced his yellow Jean Heath had the honour of being the twentieth person to Aussie singlet with the yellow and blue ACT uniform and par- complete 100 throwing handicaps. ticipated as an M70 in the throwing events at the 1984 Ocean- Bryan Thomas ia and Australian Veterans’ Championships held at Bruce Sta- dium, Canberra. Later that year he and his wife returned to Croatia. Three weeks before this month’s throwing handicap, Trish Thomas, the event’s organiser and handicapper, under- went surgery to correct a chronic injury. She was forced to participate in the hammer and javelin while seated in a wheel- chair. Fran Schiller was also concerned how she would cope as she had not long been back from a six months lay-off due to a broken leg. Thirty participated in this month’s handicap won by Robert Kennelly from Ewen Drummond and Jen Bourke. The run/walk handicap was in Duffy Forest. This was the first time the course had been used and was very popular. 126 ran the 8km long course won by Graeme Small from Nigel Coldrick and Tim Wright. Sixty-one ran the short course won by David Holland from David Alden and Cathy Montalto. Sev- enteen walked the Waddell event won by Diann Bramwell from Andrina Norden and Nola De Chazal. Richard Morcom earned his red ‘100 handicaps’ shirt and Sherryl Greathead her fiftieth. Sadly, an important link to our formative years was broken when Joe Mayer died aged 86.

10 YEARS AGO (July 2010). July 2020 Vetrunner — page 15 2020 Schedule of Events Return to competition for Athletes in the ACT from 1 July On pp. 1, 4 and 5 the ACT Masters Athletic Club, with guidance from governments and our fellow athletic associations, have announced a set of actions to return to competition. The suspension of competition till the end of June means that four Run-Walk Handicaps and seven throwing events will be missed and the AGM is postponed. Training and coaching has restarted with physical distancing and other appropriate measures. Please see details at the bottom of p.13. The remaining events for the year are: THROWING EVENTS Masson Street Throwing Fields, Turner | Event Coordinator—Jayne Hardy 0421 610 053

MONTHLY THROWS HANDICAPS (Saturday lunchtimes) May 30 Hammer and Javelin 1.00pm start + non-hcap weight throw + 45lb June 27 Shot Put and Discus 1.00pm start + non-hcap Super Weight + 56lb July 25 Hammer and Javelin 1.00pm start + non-hcap weight throw + 100lb

August 29 Shot Put and Discus 1.00pm start + non-hcap Super Weight + 45lb

Sept 26 Hammer and Javelin 1.00pm start + non-hcap weight throw + 56lb

October 24 Shot Put and Discus 1.00pm start + non-hcap weight throw + 100lb Nov 28 Hammer and Javelin 1.00pm + annual presentations and Christmas function

THROWS PENTATHLONS (Sunday mornings) May 17 10.00am start June 14 10.00am start + weight for distance July 12 10.00am start August 16 10.00am start Heavy Weight Pentathlon September 13 10.00am start Oceania Throws Pentathlon Challenge October 11 9.00am start November 15 9.00am start Heavy Weight Pentathlon December 13 9.00am start **CHAMPIONSHIP DATES: 2020 WMA Outdoor Championships Toronto Canada 20 July – 1 Aug!; 2020 AMA Winter Throws Championships: 2-5 October, Wollongong NSW.

Run/walk handicap program ACTMA is hosting the National Championships DATE VENUE DISTANCE in Canberra from 5 to 8 March 2021 January 26th Nth Curtin Oval(8.30am) 6.3/3km February 23th Isaacs Ridge (8.30am) 7/4km March 28th Stromlo Forest Park 8/4km April 26th Mt. Majura 10/5km May 31st Mt. Taylor 7.3/3.5km June 28th Mt Ainslie 9.3/4.5km July 26th Little Black Mt 9/4.5km August 30th Coombs Molonglo 10/5km September 27th O'Connor Ridge 8/4km October 25th Ainslie Woodlands 7/3 7/3.5km November 29th Weston Park (8.30am) 6/3km Page 16 — July 2020 Vetrunner FRAN HARRIS: Johnson Award for "inspirational motivator" Reporter; Consie Larmour et al Nationals. I think I was needing another Track session in the lead-up to these competitions. Fran's Training Group says Congratulations and thanks Fran’s training was so good- warm-up stretches and exercis- Jenny Rayner, on behalf of the group: es before and after the running. Fran was inspirational- noth- Congratulations Fran on winning the prestigious Johnson ing was too hard but there was never any criticism if you could- award. We are so pleased for you as a very deserving winner. n’t quite manage the session. Through injury and illness Fran Through thick and thin, broken bones, heart problems and var- always turned up even when she was not able to run herself. ious other things you never gave up and have kept us all moti- The group’s ages are varied but I particularly liked that vated to achieve the best that we can be. Well done, many there were others in my age group and to Fran age was com- thanks. pletely irrelevant- you just had to do what you could. When I was injured with plantar fasciitis Fran encouraged Gwen Gleeson (one of the first): me to swim at the AIS pool- in fact she taught me how to swim From about 1999 Fran used the AIS track to practise hur- properly- as a Bondi girl I had learnt to dive over and under dles, and encouraged me to join her in sprinting on the track. It the waves but never to swim in a pool. was not long before Consie and other runners and tennis play- And there was always the big reward- a cappuccino with ers came to join the group. Fran had a notebook and recorded the group, all of whom have become friends, at the local café. our times for various distances, encouraging us to improve. I Fran made Athletics fun and certainly very social. joined Fran and Club members for World Masters Athletics Games, winning medals in Brisbane in 2001, in Lyon in 2015 Jo Klemke: and in Perth in 2016. I thank Fran for her dedication to her I remember well my first training session with Fran back in Monday group even when she had injuries and health prob- May 2005. Encouraged by Consie, I joined Fran, Consie and lems. Congratulations Fran. Gwen Gleeson at the AIS and was immediately impressed by Fran’s knowledge, commitment and work ethic. We were Consie Larmour: worked hard, the after coffee was special reward, but so enjoya- I still have vivid memories of my first- ever athletics train- ble and particularly to feel fitness developing. I could never ing session in 2003. In 2003 I had recovered fully from an op- have believed back then that I could learn so much about all eration in 2002 to remove a GIST (stomach cancer) but my areas of athletics. Thank you Fran for all your continuing hard muscles were flabby and I needed to get fit. I complained about work, encouragement and opening up the wonderful world to this to my doctor, saying "I'm thinking about taking up veter- athletics. ans athletics. I thought she would say: "Don't be ridiculous at your age". Instead she said: "That's a great idea. I'll find you a Jenny Rayner: trainer". She rang me within a few days: "The best person to At the time of my retirement in 2008 I was interested in ring is Fran Harris, and her number is ....". senior athletics and heard about Fran's training group. With I plucked up the courage to ring the number and a friendly some trepidation I went to my first session to meet Fran at the Fran said I could meet her at the AIS. Gwen Gleeson was AIS and to see what the group did. there too that first day. Fran worked me hard, got me fit, and It didn't take me long to realize that Fran was a good moti- encouraged me to join the ACT Veterans Athletics vator, and being part of her group provided me with the oppor- Club. Seventeen years later, I am grateful that Fran has never tunity to exercise and train with like-minded seniors and to given up on me -- I owe her a lot. pursue a personal fitness program. I subsequently joined ACT Veterans Athletic Club on Fran's recommendation. Cory Collins: What I particularly liked was that Fran and others partici- I am not sure when I started training with Fran at her pated in Master Games in Australia or Overseas and regularly Monday sessions at the AIS. It seems like years ago and was won medals. I wanted to be part of that too. So Fran suggested probably when I started going to Masters Games and to the that the Alice Springs Friendly Games in 2010 would be a good starting point for me. I was so pleased and excited when I won gold in the 100m there and was presented with the medal by

Dawn Fraser!! Fran then encouraged me to attend other Mas-

ters games all of which have been so enjoyable and a great ex- perience. Congratulations Fran and thank you so much for motivat- ing us to keep fit and focussed on achieving our best.

Caroline Campbell, summing up for us all: Congratulations on winning the Johnson award; you defi- nitely are a great motivator,

Consie Larmour, Cory Collins, Jenny Raqyner, Gwen Gleeson, Jo Klemke and Caroline Camp- bell. (Editor Note; The authors make up the Fran Harris training squad that trains on a Monday morning at the Belcon- nen Oval. ph. Fran on 6230 2341)

Fran Harris with a medal from Oceania in Mackay last year (photo Suzie Gaynor )

Robin Whyte, has now finished his final treatment. He remains in our thoughts and prayers As he continues his recovery. We hope to see him on the track shortly. July 2020 Vetrunner — page 17 Top honors for ACT Athletes and Coaches Yellow Tailed Black Cockatoos On Wednesday June 11, 2020, Athletics Australia celebrat- (editor’s note; What did Rosemary and Bob Parker do when ed and honoured athletes, coaches and officials from all over they retired from organizing, running and walking in the run/ Australia at the 2019 Season Awards. In what is likely a first walk handicap for a millennium? Well I don’t know what Bob is for Athletics Australia, and like many of the state associations, doing but I recently found out what Rosie is doing. Athletics ACT included, the awards ceremony went virtual with I share it with you below. nominees and winners announced via social media platforms. The ACT was well represented in both winners and nominees with 4 ACT members announced as award recipients, another ACT based athlete also a recipient. Another 6 ACT members were among those nominated.

The ACT winners with a Masters connection were;

Female Athlete of the Year; Kelsey- Lee Barber What a 2019 – becoming National and Area Javelin Champion before, with a final throw of 66.56m completing the trifecta with a World title in Doha. Second in the Diamond League Fi- nal. Next birthday Kelsey -Lee is eligible to join ACTMA

Para Athlete Coach of the Year; Philo Saunders Philo had an immense 2019 where he coached Jaryd Clifford, Michael Roeger, Dion Kenzie all to podium finishes at the World Para Championships. An ACTMA member.

Female Junior Athlete of the Year; Keely Small Also a Commonwealth Games representative and assisted with Masters Training last year Official of the Year; Kerry Boden Former long term member and top Veteran athlete. The citation for her AACT award read as follows:

“Kerry has officiated at the majority of Summer Series & High Noon meets during 2018-19 as well as a number of School Carnivals. She has undertaken a variety of roles including Meet Manager/Results Processing, Admin/Check-in, as well as occa- sionally working as a Jumps Official. Kerry officiated at all major events during the very busy Jan/Feb period where AACT hosted 12 days of competition in just 5 weeks. At a recent Athlet- ics Australia (AA) Officials Forum, held in Sydney the day before the 2019 Nationals commenced, Kerry received a public commendation from AA for the very professional way she com- municated with ASADA drug testing staff during the 2019 Can- berra Track Classic.” (from Athletics Australia Website)

Both pictures taken near where we hold the Coombs/ Molonglo walk/run handicap. In the top picture the cockatoo is stripping the tree looking for a bug. And in the bottom picture up a tree eating a nut (photos Rosemary Parker)

Letter to the editor

“I attended the late Percy Cerruty’s training camp in Portsea Vic in the late 50s and early 60s. I met such people as Olympians: John Landy, Merv. Lincoln, Herb Elliot, Ron Clark. His training methods at the time were quite revolution- ary. Basically to get fit you had to test yourself with rigor- ous training and eat a healthy simple diet. This has stood me in good stead over the last 60 yrs. I have run at least 60 mara- thons including CBR x 23, 50km x10, Arctic 84km x2, Boston x3 ,New York x2, the Great Wall, although to see me now, this is just a memory. Would my recollections of Cerutty's camp and training methods be of interest to you? “ Kerry in her Official’s Uniform during the 2018 Common- Regards, Lachlan Lewis M83 wealth Games at Carrara stadium on the Gold Coast. Also Khan (editor’s note; I took the liberty of saying yes) Sharp, the ‘Competition Director’ for the Athletics program of the

games. (Photo sourced by Neil Boden) Page 18 — July 2020 Vetrunner July 2020 Vetrunner — page 19 ACTMasters Aproud supporter of Mailing& Marketing Printedby National

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Page layout by Suzie Gaynor and P hotos by many photographers.