Rob Steals Braeside Sealed Handicap
By Brian Marantelli 22 July 2014
Robert Eppinger broke through for his maiden win in the Victorian Cross Country League with a narrow victory in the sealed 10km at Braeside Park. The race, named in memory of Eric Greaves, was run in conjunction with Victorian Masters Athletics and Victorian Business Runners with a turnout of approximately 200 runners. Eric was a fierce competitor and office bearer for both the VCCL and VMA.
Eppinger, from the Colin Davis stable, has shown consistent improvement and after a close up third at Myrniong was well suited to the sealed handicap conditions to win by seven seconds. After crossing the finishing line in second place behind fastest time Shane Grund, it was clear that Robert had all the back markers covered on adjusted times.
Second on handicap was Hugo Sarpa, who has worked his way up the leader board after a few seasons frustrated by injury. Sean Quilty, another recovering from injury, produced another good run to finished third. Carl Kennedy, new to the VCCL, was next in with a blanket finish for the next nine placings. In fifth place was David Page, with only five seconds separating Shane Grund, Gary Hall, Colin Davis, Leon Brooks, Mark Andrews, Greg Foran, David Woods and David Haigh. The fastest time awards went to Shane Grund (35:00) from Robert Eppinger (35:47), the fastest female was Corina Kapusta (39:24). The novice award went to another first season Colin Davis runner in Peter Lockyer (39:06).
Next Sunday the VCCL are back at Churchill Park, Rowville for the 30th running of the 6.5km Helmut and Maija Prentler Handicap, start time 10am.
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Photos courtesy of Leanne Baxter.
