Spring Into 2018 drew athletes from all four Bendigo clubs, as well as Collingwood, Deakin, South Melbourne and Williamstown.

The pre-season meet was a chance to tune-up for the first round of Athletics Victoria Shield action at the Retreat Road track on Saturday, October 6.

Athletes as young as nine took to the track or field, as well as several in their 60s, and Eaglehawk’s Geoff Major at a sprightly 82 years young.

There were exciting duels in the sprints.

Bendigo Harriers clubmates Jorja Peace and Nyah Brits went one-two in the 100m in times of 12.12 and 14.51.

The margin was even closer in the first of the men’s 100m heats as South Bendigo’s Jesse Sullivan ran 12.26 and Danai Mahachi from Bendigo Harriers was runner-up in 12.37.

Sullivan capped a great day as he ran the 400m in 54.37 as Eaglehawk’s James Bentley was next in 54.68.

After a brilliant cross-country season, South Bendigo’s Taryn Furletti beat the five-minute mark as she won the 1500m in 4:59.

Deakin’s Cassie Dege reigned supreme in the 3000m in a time of 10:57.

At high jump, University’s Lachlan Feuerherdt cleared the 1.20 metres mark.

The in-form Jorja Peace leapt 4.10m at long jump.

Eaglehawk’s David Chisholm hit the 9.65m mark to win the triple jump as teenagers Lachlan Feuerherdt and Nyah Brits passed the eight-metre mark.

At discus, Eaglehawk’s Terry Hicks was best on 29.72m as Berg and Chisholm performed well.

Hawks’ clubmates Hicks and Chisholm had a great battle at javelin with bests of 30.69m and 29.67m.

A star in Bendigo Thunder’s run to winning the first Central Victoria Football women’s grand final in winter, Eaglehawk’s Ebony Whiley hurdled the javelin past the 24m mark.

Best at shot put were Ruby Hore, 9.16m; Chisholm, 8.85m; and Hicks on 8.50m.

Events on the AV Shield program on October 6 include 200m, 800m, 3000m, 200m, 300m or 400m hurdles; 2000m or 5000m walk; discus, shot put, hammer throw, high jump, and triple jump.