Athletes tackle classic

THE heat will be on when athletes contest tomorrow’s Athlete’s Foot-backed Keith Huddle Memorial Eaglehawk to Bendigo.ps8.3 The 6500m showdown will start from near the Eaglehawk Town Hall at 11am and wind its way along Eaglehawk Road before the short sprint along Barnard Street and then down View Street.The race finish will be in Rosalind Park.Many of Bendigo’s athletes will be aiming to follow up from last week’s outstanding runs in the Athletics Victoria cross-country teams relays run at Sandown.The Keith Huddle Memorial will also be the final run in the Athletics Bendigo winter athlete of the year award.Bendigo YMCA Harriers’ clubmates Brady Threlfall and Meredith Cook lead the race for the title.In tomorrow’s race, Threlfall will be one of the favourites in the men’s open.Leading contenders for the women’s open include Cook and clubmate Meg Bennett, Wendouree’s Jenny Kister, and South Bendigo’s Mandy Worthington.Young stars aiming for age group victories in their hometown include Bendigo YM’s Leon Keely in the under-20s, University’s Andrew Buchanan and Eaglehawk’s Kaine Leech in the under-18s, and South Bendigo’s Tom Noden and Celine Mountjoy, and Eaglehawk’s Amanda Heard in the under-14 class.Athletics Bendigo spokesman Craig Green said the veterans’ sections would be extremely competitive. In the 40-49 years division, Bendigo YM’s Peter Cowell and John Maher will face hot opposition from Eaglehawk’s Trevor Kelly and University’s Mike Bieleny.The women’s field for 40-49 years includes the consistent Anne Buckley from Bendigo YMCA.Bendigo YM’s Charles Chambers will be a favourite in the 50-plus class, along with Wendouree’s Peter Fitzgerald.The field for the 35-39 years includes Eaglehawk’s Duane Cousins, an Oympic and Commonwealth Games race walker at the 50km distance.Other runners to watch include South Bendigo’s Greg Hilson, Bendigo YM’s Ian Wellard and Wendouree’s Marc Schnyder.Late entries will be accepted until 10.30am.