As many people very well understand, community organisations don't just run themselves. This remains an obvious statement for the Stawell and Ararat Cross Country Club and the many important people who contribute to its continued functions and success.

Julie Hertz is one of those incredibly important people and despite a long period on the sidelines with injury, Julie continued to involve herself in volunteering roles and committee related duties for the club. As time passed by, Julie must have considered that a comeback to running may not actually happen. However, this past Sunday Julie did return and was victorious in taking the handicap win for the first race of the SACCC 2024 season.

With beautiful autumn weather radiating all around and an extra hour's sleep (due to daylight savings finishing), members of the SACCC could not wait to get the 2024 season started this past Sunday at Rhymney Cricket Ground.

The race echoes with a rich history of the local area of Rhymney, a place named by a Moyston prospector (a Welshman with the surname Morgan) who discovered the Rhymney Reef in 1863, naming it Rhymney after his hometown in Wales. The starting location of the Rhymney Cricket ground, now a sheep grazing field, still is overlooked by the old corrugated iron roofed club rooms many a keen cricketer had frequented in times gone by. Greg Patterson, former club member and long time race sponsor also knows of this history and has taken pride in ensuring the race has taken place in this old part of the Stawell and Ararat region for the many years he has sponsored it.

With four new members on the start line, 21 runners headed off down Pentlands Creek Road towards Moyston-Great Western Road. As the race was a sealed handicap (mass start), it was Mark Thompson, Gabe Tonks and new SACCC member Cameron Gellie, who set the pace. Gellie, who is looking forward to running the Ballarat Marathon on April 28th, pushed the very capable Tonks the whole way. Leah Seabohm was the leading womens runner, not far off the leading men, with only Matt Haddow and the other mentioned leaders in front of her. Although Seabohm set a cracking pace, she had to run an honest race with new club member Stephanie Hughes and Annie Brown in hot pursuit, not that far behind her.

The fastest times were decided as Mark Thompson crossed the line in 19' 55", followed by Gabe Tonks (23' 11") and Cam Gellie only a handful of seconds behind in 23 '18". Leah Seabohm was fastest female in 25' 05", with Stephanie Hughes (26' 30") and Annie Brown (26' 55").

In the handicap and main event for the day, it was a tight finish with only 4 minutes separating the first 19 runners and only 1 minute separating the top 3 place getters. This was an indication the handicapper did a great job in keeping everything nice and close in the finish. Julie Hertz returned to competition and winning form in taking out the victory from last season's inspirational runner, Ally Marr. Third place was filled by Leah Seabohm showing she is ready for another successful season.

After turning up for the race with her running kit on again for the first time in a couple of seasons, Hertz was shocked to not only get a run in but to also take out the handicap win.

"I can't believe it!" Hertz said. "I'm not even fit yet."

Next week's run will be the S & R Sportspower 5000m Handicap at Three Jacks Track in Stawell. Race briefing will take place at 8.45am sharp for a 9.00am start. More information about registration and entry can be accessed on the club website at https://www.revolutionise.com.au/stawellandararat.