Ian McCready became the third person in the Stawell and Ararat Cross Country Club’s 48-year history to win three races in one season at One Tree Hill on Sunday.
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In handicap racing, a runner is “pulled” after winning a race and McCready twice took a hit, dragged 3.20 minutes after his first win at eight kilometres in May and a further 1.45 minutes for his second over the same distance in June.
The success came as a complete shock to 50-year-old McCready who has 68 races under belt.
“I’d have been happy with a third or a fourth just to keep in touch with Peter (Gibson) for the aggregate,” McCready said.
First to the top of the hill was five-time winner Simon Gallagher whose four-second margin was not enough to win outright, once handicaps were adjusted, but it was a mighty effort on a light preparation and carrying a hip injury into the race.
The club’s next event is the five kilometre David Jones Ararat Mitre 10 Handicap at Dunneworthy Common on Sunday. Fun runners get free entry with a 9.45am start scheduled.
