AN EXCITING duel between Flack Advisory Bendigo Region and APS United to be number one team in men's division two of Athletics Victoria's XCR19 action rolls on this Sunday in the Burnley Half Marathon.
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APS United has scored 90 points across eight rounds and leads Bendigo on 89.
Only the top team in this division earns promotion to premier for XCR20.
This Sunday athletes will race the Victorian Half Marathon, a 21.1km showdown along the banks of the Yarra River.
Racing will start from Kevin Bartlett Reserve on Yarra Boulevard.
The Burnley Half Marathon is rated one of the fastest of its type in the country.
Runners to represent Bendigo in the open category are Andy Buchanan, Ben Stolz, Jayson Carter, Luke Millard, Stephen Van Rees from Bendigo University. Another recruit for Bendigo at open level is Guy Walters.
Just a few weeks ago, Buchanan was runner-up in the Athletics Australia 10km cross country championship at Kembla Grange. Now the gun athlete from University Athletics Club will show his prowess at a longer distance.
Buchanan leads champion athlete for open class in XCR19 on 38 points. Next best is Harry Summers from Box Hill on 28.
Athletes in the 50-plus division are Anne Buckley and Jill Wilkie from Bendigo Harriers, and University's David Lonsdale. Wilkie and Buckley have scored 14 and 13 points to be eighth and ninth in the 50-54 years champion athlete award.
In the 55-50 years award, University's Michael Bieleny has scored 36 points and leads Box Hill's John Meagher on 29.
Harrison Boyd from Bendigo Harriers and Phoebe Lonsdale from University will contest the 5km race on Sunday.
University runners yet to confirm a start for Sunday are Andrew Creer, Matt Heislers, Rebecca Wilkinson in open; Darren Hartland, 40-plus; David Heislers, Michael Bieleny, 50-plus; Jayden Padgham, junior.
Bendigo Harriers' Brady Threlfall, Nathan Stoate and Juliet Heah will compete at open level if they start.
South Bendigo's Logan Tickell may also run in the juniors, and Eaglehawk's Trevor Kelly in the 50-plus class.
Points from XCR rounds have Buchanan and Threlfall in front of the country champion athlete award on 33 and 23 points.
Early starters for the half marathon on Sunday is at 7.30am, followed by the main field for open and masters at 8am.
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