The gentle westerly blew away the fog as the 107 starters in the Team Blood 6.5 km handicap set off from the Belmont Park pavilion and raced to the breakwater and back. It was Gerry Fitzpatrick who appreciated a lift in the handicaps to defy the chasing pack to score by 60 metres from Brendan O’Brien with Kevin McNulty a further 50 metres astern. Fitzpatrick battled a severe injury in 2016 and has taken time to regain form and fitness. Invitation runner, Kate Gleeson, was comfortably the fastest female whilst last week’s winner, Grant Simpson, was easily the fastest male.
Top 10 Placings
G. Fitzpatrick, 31:49; B. O’Brien, 26:50; K. McNulty, 26:10; D. Blount, 24:16; G. Simpson, 21:58; A. McGrillen, 26:30; V. Gasper, 27:55; G. Watkins, 29:40; J. Curran, 23:59; M. Paull, 31:24.
Fastest Times
Under 20 Male: J. Gordon 25.31, A. Fitzpatrick 39.43
Under 20 Female: K. Gleeson 27.22, I. Auld 43.47
Under 40 Male: J. Curran 23.59, A. Bird 25.24
Under 40 Female: R. Thompson 27.56, M. Crawford 31.03
Veteran Male: G. Simpson 21.58, D. Wright 23.36
Veteran Female:.S. Andrews 29.10, M. Paull 31.24
Masters Male: T. Bentley 24.06, K. McNulty 26.10
Masters Female: G.Pape 28.12, N. Angus 31.54
Legends Male : D. Elward 26.47, V. Gasper 27.55
Legends Female: P. Galvin 31.04, J. Morton 36.24
Supervets Male: J. Walker 32.49, G. Marshall 39.00
