Bendigo was represented by a group of 14 in the chilly conditions on the Lake Wendouree course.

In the men’s open 15km, Brady Threlfall, from Bendigo Harriers, and Andy Buchanan, from Bendigo University, put in brilliant runs to be third and sixth overall.

Threlfall clocked a time of 47:01 as Olympian Collis Birmingham was first across the line in 45.41.

A major goal for Threlfall is the upcoming Berlin Marathon.

Buchanan is gearing up for the Australian Cross Country Championships and was sixth across the line at Ballarat in 47:08.

University’s Nigel Preston ran 50:33 to be 36th as clubmate Kye Jenkyn capped his comeback by being 47th in 51:31.

Stephen Van Rees ran 55:30 to be 97th overall as Bendigo won the division three men’s title for the seventh consecutive time.

Jill Wilkie, from Bendigo Harriers, won the 50-plus women’s title as she ran the 15km in 1:02.32 and is unbeaten in two XCR starts.

Bendigo’s 50-plus women’s team was in great form as Wilkie was first, Anne Buckley, from Bendigo Harriers, was 4th in 1:08.17, and South Bendigo’s Debby Kirne was 11 th in 1:14.15.

They also scored points for the division four team which now leads the premiership race.

The division six men moved to second on the ladder.

Glen McMillan led the way in a time of 55:34 to be 101st and teamed with Ben Stolz, 57.16, 121st ; David Heislers, 1:02.58 and top 10 in the 50-54 age group; and Charles Chambers, 1:06.15 and fifth in the 60- plus class.

Rossi Evans did not complete the course.

Jamie Cook represented Glenhuntly and was 45th overall.

In the 6km contest, South Bendigo’s Yazmin Hayes won the under-18 girls title in a time of 20:46.

Hayes followed up her previous victory at Albert Park by being fastest of all junior female age groups.

South Bendigo’s Taryn Furletti ran the 6km in 21:46 to earn silver in the under-16 class.

Next event is the Ekiden Relays on August 18 at Anglesea.