DISTANCE running ace Taryn Furletti marked a great return to the track in Saturday’s second round of Flack Advisory Bendigo Region’s “welcome back” series at Flora Hill.

After a season rocked by injury in 2019-20, Furletti ran a brilliant 1500m in the third and final session at the La Trobe University Bendigo athletics complex in Retreat Road.

A time of 4:56 was Furletti’s best in almost two years.

Her run followed an exciting battle between South Bendigo’s Bernard Nihill and University’s Angus Macafee.

After being side-by-side for a lot of their four-lap contest, it was Nihill who surged clear in the last 20 metres to win, 4:49.03 to 4:49.51.

100 metres

There were some closely-fought finishes in the 100m heats.

Eaglehawk’s Angus McKindlay took out the first of the men’s contests by a hundredth of a second from South Bendigo’s Oliver Muggleton.

Times were 12.34 and 12.35.

Fastest female was Abbey Conquer from Bendigo Harriers, 13.41 in the second session.

800 metres

South Bendigo’s Liam Gay ran strongly to win his 800m heat in 2:10.66 as Bendigo Harriers’ Tiffany Bussem-Jorgensen, Eaglehawk’s Julia Hattingh took out their heats.

At 83 years young, John Justice from South Bendigo put in another great effort in the 800m.

Bendigo Harriers’ Lonain Burnett won his 800m heat in 2:08.59.

Long Jump, Shot Put and Discus

Eaglehawk clubmates Angus McKindlay and William Beaton had a great battle in the first of the long jump rounds. McKindlay reigned supreme on 5.53m as Beaton reached  5.48m.

A great afternoon for Bendigo Harriers’ rising star Monique Gavriliadis included a leap of 5.11m in the loop jump and a mark of 9.74m in shot put. Jake Gavriliadis from Harriers achieved a distance of 13.48m at shot put as clubmate Rebecca Soulsby hit a mark of 7.87m.

Mother and daughter, Jayne and Jemma Norton were to the fore in field events. Jayne hurled the discus past the 24-metre mark after Jemma reached 6.70m at shot put. Best at discus was William Beaton, 31.28m.

400 metres

Oliver Muggleton and Jake Hilson fought out the 400m. The much-improved Muggleton won 52.04 to 52.40.

Young Starts Rising

Young stars including South Bendigo’s James Woods, 12.41 in the 100m and 11.96m at shot put; and Harriers’ Abbey Conquer, 13.41 in the 100m, were in top form again.

Results

Find the Results (PDF) here >