Freeland
Bobs Up a Winner
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| Bob
Freeland |
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Spurred on by the embarrassment
of a self-confessed bulging waistline, Bob Freeland,
a foundation member of the Stawell Amateur Athletic
Club, turned back the clock to win his first race
in 14 months at Haven Hall, near Horsham, on Saturday.
Suited
by the fast and flat nature of the five kilometre
course, the easiest on the club's 18-race calendar,
Bob made the most of his favourable handicap and
withstood a late challenge from Stephen Baird to
win the Community Axis-sponsored event by just 10
seconds.
Confessing to a weakness for
biscuits and chocolate, Bob had made a conscious
decision "to
do something" about his fitness after finishing
no closer than ninth at his first five starts for
the season
"I knew I was carrying
a bit extra and I had to increase the intensity of
my training to at least an hour per day," the
persistent veteran said. "You have to put effort
into your training, it's no use just jogging because
all that does is teach you how to jog. I am
absolutely rapt to win again because I heard Stevie
Baird's tell-tale footsteps and I had to find a bit
to hold him off. I couldn't have done that without
the extra work I've been doing near where I live
at Big Hill."
Underlining
the merit of Bob's win was the fact that Squeak Baird
was able to back-up and beat a hot field in the King
Of The Hill at Ararat less than 24 hours later.
The
affable Bob made his debut with the club one rainy
day in 1966, lining up with life member Keith Haymes
and others at the Stawell High School and scampering
up to where the gold mine is today. The cross-country
stalwart managed a 37 minutes, 30 second 10km at
Warrnambool in his heyday, but in 2010 the elite
honours are shared by current club champion Nathaniel
Warren and David McAllister who again recorded fastest
times (17.38 and 17.58).
Most impressive of all was
ten-year-old junior Raine Mackley who gave a start
and a beating to many more seasoned campaigners,
carving out the distance in a stunning 20.52.
Layla
Atherton bolted away to a strong win in the sub junior
division of the race.
By Keith Lofthouse
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