THE in-form Brady Threlfall played a big part in Bendigo’s run toward the top bracket in Athletics Victoria’s teams action in the weekend’s Burnley half-marathon.With promotion to division one in jeopardy, Bendigo needed to consolidate a position in the top two and remain in the promotion zone as athletes ran the 21.1km distance.A new-look Bendigo region team comprised all runners from the Bendigo YMCA Harriers. They raced in division two among a 488-strong field.Brady Threlfall was in hot form again as he achieved a top 10 finish and beat his personal best by seven minutes.A time of 70.35 was a great achievement just one week after finishing 4th in the Nike 10+ Human Race in Melbourne.The reliable Phil Noden ran an exceptional time of 75.08 at his first attempt at the distance to be placed 35th. A consistent member of the division two team this year, Noden showed his versatility over all the distances throughout the season by negative splitting his race.Training clubmates Peter Cowell, 83.52, and Craig Green, 83.53, had a great battle.Cowell won the sprint to the line after Green had overcome a 200 metre deficit in the final 5kms.Usually not in the division two line-up, Cowell and Green broke the four minute per kilometre barrier over the longer distance.Because of injuries and unavailability, Penny Brown ran in the men’s section.Brown finishing was crucial to the Bendigo region holding second place in the division two standings and she ran superbly to achieve an excellent time of 92.45.First-year Harrier invite athlete Frayne Gomez also ran and recorded a time of 90.12.With one race to go, the Bendigo has now confirmed its promotion to division one for next winter.The last race will be the Tan Relays on Saturday, September 20.The venue is well-known for being on AFL clubs’ pre-season workouts.Bendigo athletes interested in running should contact Keith McDonald and confirm competing and celebrating the Bendigo region’s promotion to the top division in Victorian Athletics for the 2009 season.