14.04.2008

XCR'08 Series kicks of at Jells Park

Athletics Clubs from across Victoria will be out to prove what they are made of next weekend, when they compete in the Jells Park Cross Country Relays, the first event of the inaugural XCR’08 Series.

The Jells Park event – which incorporates the Victorian Cross Country Relay Championships - provides the opportunity for distance runners from across Victoria to run over a challenging, and picturesque cross-country course.

Athletics Victoria Chief Executive, Nick Honey, said that after a record-breaking 2007 Winter Series, Athletics Victoria was putting a special effort into promoting and growing the competition still further, re-branding it the XCR’08 Series.

“Jells Park is one of Melbourne’s most beautiful parks, and is a fantastic venue to kick off the series with a huge day of cross country running,” Mr Honey said.

The big news in the Mens Division 1 competition is the formation of a new combined team from Ballarat. ‘Ballarat City’ consists of runners from clubs Eureka, Wendouree and the Ballarat Harriers.

Ballarat YCW, spearheaded by former Olympic Marathoner Steve Moneghetti, has declined to join the new ‘superteam’ from Ballarat. All eyes will be on them as they set out to prove that they can be competitive in Division 1 on their own.

Nevertheless, Geelong Region will be the team to beat in 2008, after their convincing win last year.

After competing strongly in Division 2 during 2007, Athletics Essendon and Athletics Waverley have both been promoted to Division 1, and will be out to prove that Division 1 is where they belong.

With a convincing Division 3 win in 2007, and a promotion to Division 2 in 2008, Bendigo Region will be seeking to continue their rise up the gradings.

In the Womens Division 1, reigning premiers Knox will be looking to get off to a good start, but they will be looking over their shoulders at the Glenhuntly team. Newly promoted Collingwood could also be a chance, after their domination of Division 2 in 2007.

In an exciting development for the competition, four new teams will make their debut in 2008: Croydon (Mens Division 6, Womens Division 3, juniors); De la Salle (Mens Division 4); Ruyton (juniors); and South Coast Athletics (from Gippsland – Mens Division 6, Womens Division 3, juniors).

The XCR’08 Series consists of 10 events over distances varying from 3km to 21km. It offers runners of all abilities the chance to compete in a well-structured team and individual competition.

More information on the Jells Park Cross Country and the XCR’08 Series is available at www.athsvic.org.au