Runners dominate ‘gruelling’ cross-country course

RENOWNED Victoria runner Michael Kernahan claimed victory at the prestigious Cooroy Mountain Park Run, showcasing his exceptional talent and endurance on the challenging 10 km cross-country course.

Cooroy Mountain Park Run organiser Andy Town said Michael made the tough course look deceptively easy despite gruelling climbs and rugged terrain.

“Michael completed the course in an outstanding time of 35:35. He was chased home by Billy Curtis who finished second in a time of 37:21, and in third place was Phillip Bradshaw in 38:11,” Andy said.

Michael is currently ranked among the top 15 in Australia for the 10 km category in 2022, with a personal best of 29:50.

“Michael is a great cross-country, track and road runner most renowned for currently having the most STRAVA course records of anyone in the world, with a tally of over 1600 course records.

“Because of this, he is known as the STRAVA king,” Andy said.

In the women’s division, Amy Nicole Bennett showed “impressive form and a clean set of heels” to comfortably win with a time of 50:9.

“Amy was a couple of min- utes ahead of distinguished Kiwi ultra runner Carol Robertson who stopped the clock at 52:13 to finish in second place, with Paige Boyd finishing very strongly to take out third position in a time of 55:36,” Andy said.

The Cooroy Mountain Park Run attracted a field of 80 runners plus supporters.

Andy said he was delighted with these numbers for just the second year of the event.

“Special thanks to Stuart Moody and his team at Cooroy Mountain Park for their continued support and for allowing the event to take place on their magnificent property,” Andy said.