A RECORD-BREAKING leap by Brett Gilligan at the pole vault was among the many highs in Saturday’s first round of Athletics Victoria Shield action run by Flack Advisory Bendigo Region at the Flora Hill track.
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Gilligan soared 3.60m to break the Centre and Residental Record for the 40-plus age group.
Now competing in 40-plus, the Bendigo Harriers athlete may break several records as the track and field season rolls.
John Justice’s superb form continued in the 1500m and javelin.
At 80-years-young, Justice clocked a time of 6:50.61 in the 1500m run.
The South Bendigo Athletics Club member hurled the javelin to a mark of 13.37m.
A wide variety of events drew 119 starters to the Latrobe University Bendigo athletics complex in Retreat Road.
In the 100m, the Brett Gilligan coached Andrew Bruce from Harriers clocked a superb time of 11.17 in the first heat. The race was run in an illegal tailwind of 2.1.
At the long jump, South Bendigo’s Abbey Hromenko hit a mark of 4.86 metres as Monique Gavriliadis from Bendigo Harriers achieved a best of 4.78m.
Competing on invitation basis, Lachlan Start had a memorable debut as he hit 6.45m in the long jump.
South Bendigo veteran Greg Hilson leapt brilliantly to reach 5.39 metres in the long jump.
First of the track events was the hurdles where Fraser Symons from Old Melburnians completed the 110m duel in 14.90m seconds.
Harriers’ clubmates Monique Gavriliadis, 13.68, and Jorja Peace, 14.05, had an exciting duel.
Stand-out performers at shot put included South Bendigo’s Emma Berg, 13.61m; University’s Claire McCleneghan, 8.71m; and Eaglehawk’s Poppy Palmer, 8.55m.
Harriers’ clubmates Chris Browne, 14.23m, and Mackenzie Cooper, 13.90m, led the way in the men’s shot put event.
Stars at the javelin included Eaglehawk’s Siobhan Thompson, 32.46m; Emma Berg, 29.40m; and University’s Anthony Messerle, 46.90m.
Some of the best in the track events were South Bendigo’s Teleah Hayes, 1500m; Daniel Plowright, 3000m; Eaglehawk’s Terry Hicks, 400m; and Bendigo Harriers’ Ben Powell, 400m.
Shield action is from 1.30pm this Saturday at LUBAC.
Entries can be lodged via the Athletics Bendigo website.