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Cerberus coach, you’re the best
By LEUT Matt Keogh and MAJ Jason Beck
Volume 50, No. 18, October 04, 2007 |
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| TRIUMPHANT: Jodie Barker of Cerberus crosses 10km finish line. |
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| THEY’RE OFF: More than 100 Cerberus personnel were among the starters in the the start of the Defence Lake Attack in Melbourne. |
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Miss Jodie Barker from HMAS Cerberus was the first female across the 10km line at the 25th annual Defence Lake Attack at Melbourne’s Albert Park Lake on Sunday, August 26.
She was among more than 2000 runners and walkers who faced the starting line.
More than 100 HMAS Cerberus personnel, including members from Recruit School and the Cerberus Running Club competed in both the 10 and 5km races.
Miss Barker, who ran strongly in the 10km event to place 15th overall, is the coach of the Cerberus Running Club and she finished more than two minutes ahead of the second-placed female runner.
Other strong performances were from LSPT Brad Pethers (sixth overall), SGT Lance Purdon (14th overall) and LSPT Skates (16th overall) in the 10km race.
The Cerberus Running Club is affiliated to the Navy Running Association.
The turnout of competitors in the Lake Attack represented a 30 per cent increase on last year.
The event raised about $200,000, with the final figure yet to be confirmed.
Funds will be equally split between four Victorian charities — the Compassionate Friends, Legacy, Kidsafe and Redkite, which supports children with cancer.
All four charities focus on helping children and families. Each will receive up to $50,000, drawn from entry fees and sponsorship.
This year’s Lake Attack started with a bang, when the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, John So, fired a blank round in a 105mm artillery piece from Melbourne’s 2/10 Medium Regiment to launch the first wave of runners.
The field gun firing was just the beginning of the total Defence involvement in the event, which included commandos, vintage RAAF aircraft, Red Beret parachutists, a navy helicopter, vehicles from 4/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse Regiment, two Bushmaster vehicles from Thales, and displays from Defence Recruiting and Explosive Ordnance Services.
A 20-piece band provided by Army kept toes tapping throughout the day.
In the Defence teams section of the event, the Defence Force School of Signals led the results table, closely followed by Melbourne’s own Army Reserve infantry battalion, 5/6 RVR.
In the schools team section, Beaconsfield Upper Primary School was the overall winner of the inter-school challenge.
Next year’s event will be held on Sunday, August 24.
Proposed attractions next year include an Abrams tank, a rappelling display and commando weapons.
Lake Attack director COL Lindsay Morton said the activity was the best value event in Melbourne, with an individual entry set at $26, and teams at $42.
Participants this year received a show bag, T shirts and other ‘goodies’ plus fabulous entertainment compliments of the ADF.
For further information about Navy Running or for a registration form, contact LEUT Matt Keogh (matt.keogh@defence.gov.au)
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