Ulverstone runner Russell Horton broke through for a well-deserved win in The Professional Cross Country Club of Tasmania’s event on Sunday. The Spreyton Cider Co 5 kilometre handicap was run on a course largely through orchards. The muddy underfoot conditions were no problem for Horton as he powered home to a comfortable 19 second win. He was followed across the line by Ken Troughton, whose winning turn can’t be far away and Richard Lawson who had his best result to date.
A good field contested the race, which was pleasing considering the Launceston Ten was being run at the same time. The fine, sunny conditions no doubt contributed.
Stuart Greenhill and Andrew Plapp led the field early on but a strong group, including Kim Denwar and Kelly Baxter, was soon threatening. In the end, however, that group was no match for Horton who had to fight hard to hold off Dallas van Rooyen, Judy Ray and Stuart Young.
Horton had finished second in the previous club trail run and again last week in the tough Somerset 10 kilometre event. He had previously won two races with the club, with the last in 2001 before he took a break from racing for several years.
Fastest male was Ben Hoare (18:28 and 21st across the line) with the fastest woman being Rebacca O’Garey (21:14 and 12th).
Earlier in the day the nominated time event winners were Tali Brown, Heidi D’Monte, Trinity Luttrell and Bradley Ward.