GUTS EFFORT: Navy’s best performer in the ADF Cross-Country event, LEUT Josh Nottle, took fifth place in the men’s event at South Bandiana.

By CPL Wayne Heath

Navy has failed to find a placing in this year’s ADF Cross-Country in any of the men’s or women’s events.

The disappointing result came as the competition was run for the first time at South Bandiana on the NSW/Vic border instead of its usual place at Holsworthy.

But despite both Navy’s result and the chilly weather, times were running hot amongst the quality field gathered from around the country.

Race organiser SGT Mat Skate, said the course was designed as a genuine European cross-country format, with off-road undulations making up the majority of the track.

The ADF race was integrated into the ALTC annual Cross-Country, which provided another 600 runners to the field.

The pre-race favourite was CPL David Whitehead (4RAR), who won the ADF 10km in 33min earlier in the year. Other challengers were likely to come from CAPT Jason Field, JOIC, SGT Mat Skate, ALTC, and Navy’s LEUT Josh Nottle, who finished fifth overall. For the women, pre-race favourite CPL Stephanie Hall was unable to make the race along with 2005 ALTC Cross-Country winner PTE Rebecca Christou, opening an opportunity for a new ADF Female Champion to be crowned.

After the usual stampede of runners at the gun, some having their moment of glory in the front for 200m only to regret their sprint start for the next 7km.

The main group of runners assembled in a tight bunch to cut through the wind. It wasn’t long before CPL Whitehead had a break on the field while a tight group of four had also broken from the main field and was out the back gate and tracking uphill.

In the women’s event, CAPT Jo-Anne Hem had also made a break on her opponents, but there were still the hills to come.

As planned by the design of the course the early hill and undulations had spread the field, now only leaving SGT Skate and CPL Heath within range of CPL Whitehead, whilst CAPT Field and Navy’s LEUT Nottle to battle for a possible third.

The drink station was at the half-way mark, the leaders used this as quick chance to wet the windpipe while others decided this was an opportunity to regain their breath.

In the women’s race, CAPT Hem’s bold move to back her ability was paying off, as she moved well clear of the female contenders. By the time she was inside the perimeter again CAPT Hem was well clear.

CPL Whitehead’s finishing time of 23.03 was equivalent to three 7min 45 2.4km back-to-back.

The minor placings in the men’s field went to the pair of PTIs from ALTC with SGT Skate taking the silver. In the women’s open category first was CAPT Jones, second PTE Hourigan and third LCPL Cova ASAH.

In the men’s veterans WO2 Pat Thomas ran exceptionally well to finish in the top 10 overall. Minor places went to Vey-Johnson, 145 and WO2 Bob Kaindel, ALTC.

First female veteran was CAPT Hem, in second was LCPL Greenfield, ASAH, who was closely followed in third by WO2 Dent Jones.

First trainee across the line was AC Murphy a RAAF Vehicle mechanic from ALTC. This was a great run to finish in sixth place overall. Male masters winner was MAJ Danny Mc Cuaig, second was COL Packham JLU(V) and in third was CPL Harrison (ASAH). Champion wing for ALTC was EESW.

 

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