ADF cross-country just like Europe

By CPL Wayne Heath
Volume 48, No. 11, June 29, 2006

More than 600 runners take off at the annual ADF cross-country competition.

DESPITE the freezing weather, this year’s ADF cross-country race was hot competition for Air Force contenders.

Held on the NSW/VIC border at South Bandiana, 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 Army Logistic Training Centre’s (ALTC) annual cross-country competition, which provided another 600 runners to the field.

The only Air Force member to place was AC Steven Murphy from ALTC, who was the first trainee across the line. The mechanic trainee ran a great race, finishing sixth overall amidst a field of more than 600 competitors, which included more than 50 other Air Force trainees.

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

The winner, Army CPL David Whitehead, finished in a time of 23.03 - equivalent to three 7.45min 2.4km runs back-to-back.

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