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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for APSOC Cross Country
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260502T143000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260502T160000
DTSTAMP:20260430T045449
CREATED:20240217T010009Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260426T061827Z
UID:6233-1777732200-1777737600@apsoc.net.au
SUMMARY:Orchard Handicap 10k/5k
DESCRIPTION:The Ken Orchard Handicap (“The Orchard”) starts and finishes at the Coot Picnic Area in Albert Park\, at the northern end of the lake opposite MSAC. It is a handicap race\, with runners starting at staggered times set by the handicapper’s computer. In the 10 km event\, runners head south for 300 m\, then turnaround to run two clockwise laps of the lake\, finishing back at the start point. The 5 km event follows the same start but completes one clockwise lap after the 300 m turnaround. Afternoon tea\, provided by Old Wesley Collegians AC\, is served at the start/finish area after the race.\n\nThis race originated in 1937 as the 5 Miles Handicap\, one of the earliest events on the APSOC calendar. It was run as such until 1941 when the Association disbanded during World War II. Upon resumption in 1946\, it was renamed the Ken Orchard Memorial Handicap in memory of Ken Orchard\, an Old Wesley athlete who lost his life in air operations off Darwin in 1942. Ken was an enthusiastic secretary of Old Wesley before enlisting in the RAAF and in 1940 finished third in this event at Albert Park.\n\nIn common with most events of the time\, in its early days the race was rotated between venues\, but from 1959\, being an Old Wesley-sponsored event\, it was held at Albert Park. Until 1973\, the event distance was maintained at 5 miles or 8 km. From 1974\, the distance was increased to the current 10 km long course\, comprising two laps of the lake plus a small loop at the end. This was presumably easier to handle than separate starting and finishing points and kept the course mainly on the lake bank. The five mile course had included a short cut across the golf course. For some time now the lake circuits have been run clockwise\, but in earlier years the event was sometimes run anti-clockwise.\n\nIn 1995\, with redevelopment work commencing in Albert Park for the Grand Prix\, the event had to be moved to Fawkner Park\, an attractive venue\, but the distance required four laps of the park. This venue posed difficulties with parking and post-run refreshments\, so in 2003 the Orchard returned to the lake. On a windy day\, twice around Albert Park Lake provides a testing run regardless of wind direction and therefore a good cross-country course. In 2025\, a 5 km single lap event was also added for those who want a shorter run.\n\nMost of the Association greats over the years have featured as winners of this event\, either on handicap or as fastest time. The record over the current circuit is held by Steve Austin (OS) in 30:27\, just edging out Ewen Wilson (OS) and Richard Hope (SK) in 30:30. Anna Thompson (OW) has the fastest women’s time at Albert Park of 36:51.\n\nPlease note that runners who choose the 5 km option will be ineligible for awards or Athlete of the Year points.
URL:https://apsoc.net.au/events/orchard-handicap-10k/
LOCATION:Albert Park\, 1 Aughtie Drive\, Albert Park\, Victoria\, 3206\, Australia
CATEGORIES:APSOC
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260510T080000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260510T090000
DTSTAMP:20260430T045449
CREATED:20240217T010021Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260324T045955Z
UID:8531-1778400000-1778403600@apsoc.net.au
SUMMARY:AV 5k Road Race
DESCRIPTION:A new event on the AV calendar in 2025 returns as the season opener in 2026. An out and back course on Lakeside Drive alongside Albert Park Lake.
URL:https://apsoc.net.au/events/av-ekiden-relay/
LOCATION:Lakeside Stadium\, 31-33 Aughtie Drive\, Albert Park\, Victoria\, Australia
CATEGORIES:APS United,Athletics Victoria
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260516T123000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260516T150000
DTSTAMP:20260430T045449
CREATED:20240217T010043Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260324T045813Z
UID:6192-1778934600-1778943600@apsoc.net.au
SUMMARY:AV Cross Country Relay 6k
DESCRIPTION:The XCR Cross Country Relay Championships are held in the beautiful surrounds of Jells Park in Melbourne’s south east. The undulating 3 km course traverses both open grassland and pine forest\, with open and overage competitors each completing two laps and junior competitors one lap.
URL:https://apsoc.net.au/events/cross-country-relay-6k/
LOCATION:Jells Park\, Waverley Road\, Wheelers Hill\, Victoria\, 3150\, Australia
CATEGORIES:APS United,Athletics Victoria
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260523T134500
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260523T153000
DTSTAMP:20260430T045449
CREATED:20240217T010022Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260313T054802Z
UID:6341-1779543900-1779550200@apsoc.net.au
SUMMARY:Dyson Relay 3.8k
DESCRIPTION:The Frank Dyson Relay is the third oldest event on the APSOC calendar. It was first held in 1939\, but was suspended during the war years between 1942 and 1945. The race resumed in 1946 and has been held every year since then on the famous Tan track around the Melbourne Botanic Gardens. \nWhen looking at previous results\, the older team and fastest lap times appear slower than in recent years\, but this is because the original course included extra distance beyond the Tan track to create a 4 km circuit. Since 1989\, all runners have been required to run a single 3.82 km lap. The current start and relay changeover point is near Government House Drive. Runners travel in a clockwise direction\, so that the initial section is relatively flat to the bottom of the feared Anderson Street hill. From the top of Anderson Street\, there is a mostly downhill run to the finish. \nThere have been many outstanding performances over the years in this event\, including Steve Austin’s lap of 10:55 at 40 years of age\, but none better than Matt Clarke’s incredible time and course record of 10:45.6 in 2019. The women’s course record is currently held by Anna Thompson (OW) at 12:12. Old Scotch’s winning team in 2001 clocked 1:07.26\, an average of 11:14 per runner.
URL:https://apsoc.net.au/events/dyson-relay-3-8k/
LOCATION:Tan Track (Birdwood Ave)\, Birdwood Avenue\, Melbourne\, Victoria\, 3004\, Australia
CATEGORIES:APSOC
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260530T130000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260530T153000
DTSTAMP:20260430T045449
CREATED:20240217T010056Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260324T102441Z
UID:6345-1780146000-1780155000@apsoc.net.au
SUMMARY:AV 8k/4k Cross Country
DESCRIPTION:St Anne’s Winery\, Bendigo\, hosts the 8km (open men and women) and 4km (U20) heritage round. The surrounds of the winery offer athletes a testing course\, with a mixture of different terrains. The event is a great opportunity for clubs to showcase their heritage and history.
URL:https://apsoc.net.au/events/166k-cross-country/
LOCATION:St Anne’s Winery\, 3 Belvoir Park Road\, Ravenswood\, Victoria\, 3453\, Australia
CATEGORIES:APS United,Athletics Victoria
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260606T093000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260606T103000
DTSTAMP:20260430T045449
CREATED:20240217T010048Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260313T055316Z
UID:6351-1780738200-1780741800@apsoc.net.au
SUMMARY:McPhail 8k
DESCRIPTION:Originally staged at the Tan\, this popular event has been held at Yarra Bend Park since 2006. It is named in honour of the late Ken McPhail (OX)\, who was the first APSOC handicapper in the days long before computers played any role in the affairs of the Association. Ken was the APSOC handicapper for 25 years and he kept a close eye on all runners to ensure that no one scored an unworthy handicap win. He also had a fine athletic record\, including competing in around fifty Cooke-McClelland races in succession. \nIt is therefore appropriate that the McPhail event is a “sealed handicap”\, so that all runners start together without knowing their handicaps. At the conclusion of the race\, the handicaps are revealed and a winner announced. \nSo the McPhail is a scratch race over 8 kilometres. The Yarra Bend course is very scenic as it winds its way along the banks of the Yarra\, but contains some testing little hills to keep the runners’ minds on the task at hand. Two Olympians hold the course records – Adam Pyke (OW) set the men’s course record of 24:42 in 2022 and Victoria Mitchell (SK) ran the fastest women’s time of 28:00 in 2011. \nAll athletes are requested to make a contribution to afternoon tea at this event. There is no available electricity and so members are encouraged to bring their own hot water for tea and/or coffee.
URL:https://apsoc.net.au/events/mcphail-8k/
LOCATION:Yarra Bend Park\, Yarra Bend Road\, Fairfield\, Victoria\, 3078\, Australia
CATEGORIES:APSOC
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260613T132000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260613T150000
DTSTAMP:20260430T045449
CREATED:20240217T010028Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260324T045111Z
UID:6257-1781356800-1781362800@apsoc.net.au
SUMMARY:AV 12k/6k Cross Country
DESCRIPTION:A trip to Cruden Farm for a hilly cross country hit out.
URL:https://apsoc.net.au/events/4k8k-cross-county/
LOCATION:Cruden Farm\, 60 Cranbourne Road\, Langwarrin\, Victoria\, 3910\, Australia
CATEGORIES:APS United,Athletics Victoria
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260620T143000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260620T160000
DTSTAMP:20260430T045449
CREATED:20240217T010043Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260313T055904Z
UID:6378-1781965800-1781971200@apsoc.net.au
SUMMARY:Alan Hooley Relay
DESCRIPTION:Alan Hooley acted as APSOC Chief Official for more than twenty years\, commencing in the mid-1970’s. He was also the co-founder of the event which now bears his name\, the Alan Hooley Relay. Alan passed away in 2014. \nFormerly known as the Gilwell Park Relays\, this race was first held in 1978. Gilwell Park is a scout camp in a hilly forest area\, containing numerous forest trails\, making it an ideal venue for cross country running. But from 2013\, the event moved to Karkarook Park in Moorabbin with its flat and fast trails\, and then in 2015\, to scenic Nortons Park\, Wantirna South\, and finally to the present venue\, Braeside Park\, in 2023. Since 2013\, relay legs have been 3 km in length. \nThe Hooley Relay is unique on the APSOC calendar by reason of the requirement for each team member to run twice. There are no restrictions on running order\, but almost all teams adopt the tactic of giving each runner the maximum possible recovery time between legs\, so that in open four person teams\, the first runner will also run the fifth leg\, the second runner the sixth leg\, and so on. \nThe open team results for the event are interesting\, with Old Xaverians winning eight in a row 1978-85\, Old Scotch ten in a row 1992-2001 and Haileybury six in a row 2003-2008. \nAll athletes are requested to bring a contribution to afternoon tea. There is no available electricity and so athletes are encouraged to bring their own hot water for tea and/or coffee.
URL:https://apsoc.net.au/events/alan-hooley-relay/
LOCATION:Braeside Park\, Cypress Drive\, Braeside\, Victoria\, 3195
CATEGORIES:APSOC
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260628T123000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260628T143000
DTSTAMP:20260430T045449
CREATED:20240217T010018Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260324T044944Z
UID:6348-1782649800-1782657000@apsoc.net.au
SUMMARY:AV Road Relay
DESCRIPTION:Teams will compete on the Calder Park racing circuit for the honour of the Victorian Road Relay Championship. 
URL:https://apsoc.net.au/events/road-relay-6-2k/
LOCATION:Calder Park Raceway\, 377 Calder Highway\, Calder Park\, Victoria\, 3037\, Australia
CATEGORIES:APS United,Athletics Victoria
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260704T140000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260704T160000
DTSTAMP:20260430T045449
CREATED:20240217T010043Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260313T060029Z
UID:6370-1783173600-1783180800@apsoc.net.au
SUMMARY:Lodge Handicaps 8/16k
DESCRIPTION:From 1961\, St Kevin’s AAC hosted a 10 mile (16 km) handicap race\, starting and finishing within the school grounds. Until 1986\, the handicap winner received the Peter Secombe trophy\, but St Kevin’s AAC wished to recognise the contribution of the Lodge family and the event became known thereafter as the Lodge Handicap. In 1988\, by popular demand\, an 8 km event was added\, giving runners the choice of two distances. \nThe 16 km course has changed markedly over the years. It used to comprise two 8 km laps from St Kevin’s College to the Yarra Boulevard then through Scotch College\, but traffic and safety issues forced the race to be moved to the mostly flat bike path along the Yarra River. 2021 saw another course change\, this time starting and finishing at the new St Kevin’s campus in Tooronga. \nThere have been some fast times on the Yarra bike path\, particularly in the 8 km\, where record holders Drew Cole (OX) 24:06 and Abi Bayley (OX) 27:30 have torn up the course. But John Cormack (OS) has hung on to his 16 km record of 50:09 since 1984\, set on the old course. This is the second oldest APSOC course record\, which clearly demonstrates the high quality of the performance. Anna Thompson holds the women’s 16 km record of 57:45. \nRecords on the new course are: \nMen 8k Adam Pyke (OW) 24:23\, 16k Ben Haseler (OX) 53:11 \nWomen 8k Anna Kasapis 30:03\, 16k Karen Thorp 60:20. \nThe Lodge Handicaps start at 2.00 pm\, half an hour earlier than the usual APSOC race starting time\, and all runners must check in at the St Kevin’s campus by 1.50 p.m (16k) or 2.30 p.m (8k).
URL:https://apsoc.net.au/events/lodge-handicaps-816k/
LOCATION:St Kevin’s College Tooronga Sports Fields\, 1002 Crescent Road\, Glen Iris
CATEGORIES:APSOC
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260711T120000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260711T153000
DTSTAMP:20260430T045449
CREATED:20240217T010051Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260324T044227Z
UID:6357-1783771200-1783783800@apsoc.net.au
SUMMARY:AV 10k Cross Country
DESCRIPTION:This round of cross country racing incorporates the selection trial for the Australian Cross Country Championships. The open\, overage and under 20 men’s and women’s races are all the same 10 km distance.
URL:https://apsoc.net.au/events/108k-cross-country/
LOCATION:Bundoora Park\, Plenty Road\, Bundoora\, Victoria\, 3083\, Australia
CATEGORIES:APS United,Athletics Victoria
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260718T143000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260718T160000
DTSTAMP:20260430T045449
CREATED:20240217T010018Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260313T054851Z
UID:6186-1784385000-1784390400@apsoc.net.au
SUMMARY:Jamieson 5k
DESCRIPTION:The Alex Jamieson 5km teams race and sealed handicap at Scotch College is one of the highlights of the APSOC calendar. The event was first held in 1950 and women first competed in 1981. It has been the traditional opening race of our winter season since 1995. The usually kind weather\, convenient location and short course length has proved to be an attractive mix\, resulting in fields of over 200 runners. Check-in is between the tennis courts and the Cardinal Club boatshed at the Yarra River end of Morrison Street. The runners then walk through the school back to the soccer pitch for the start of the race. There is car parking opposite the tennis courts and along Morrison Street. \nThe Jamieson course was changed for the 2015 race with the removal of the famous Glenferrie Road hill. The new course remains a varied one\, with the terrain from flat ground to short\, sharp hills. Running surfaces are generally good. The course commences with a spectacular charge from the soccer pitch across the rugby and around the boundary of the lower ovals\, before a tight U-turn takes runners up on to the Gardiners Creek levee bank. Then it’s back around the soccer pitch before the competitors must climb the service road to the Main Oval. From there\, the runners turn right and head for the Monash Drive past the chapel and out into Morrison Street. Then there is a slight downhill section almost to the river\, where runners cut back left to follow the Gardiners Creek levee bank once again. The same circuit (levee bank-soccer pitch-service road-Main Oval-Monash Drive-Morrison Street-levee bank is repeated until the runners dip down from the levee bank and head back around the lower ovals and across the rugby oval to the finish line on the soccer pitch. \nAs the Jamieson is a scratch race with all competitors starting together\, the handicap event is a “sealed” handicap\, based on runners’ previous performances in the APSOC competition. The Jamieson has a long and proud history. Old Scotch Collegians Athletic Club provides a generous afternoon tea after the race on the Cardinal Club balcony overlooking the Yarra River\, at which the team and individual awards are announced. \nCourse records: \nOld course: Men – Paul Wilson (OS) 14:47 1998; Women – Anna Thompson (OW) 16:03 2006 \nNew course: Men – David McNeill (OX) 15:17.0 2019; Women – Michaela Parsons (OH) 18:10.2 2019
URL:https://apsoc.net.au/events/jamieson-5k/
LOCATION:Scotch College\, Morrison Street\, Hawthorn\, Victoria\, 3122\, Australia
CATEGORIES:APSOC
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260726T080000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260726T090000
DTSTAMP:20260430T045449
CREATED:20240217T010031Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260324T044007Z
UID:6374-1785052800-1785056400@apsoc.net.au
SUMMARY:AV 10k Road Race
DESCRIPTION:A fast and flat 10 km course starting and finishing at Lakeside Stadium\, with a spectacular finish on the track. Two laps out and back from Lakeside Stadium to Junction Oval on Lakeside Drive.
URL:https://apsoc.net.au/events/10k-road-race/
LOCATION:Lakeside Stadium\, 31-33 Aughtie Drive\, Albert Park\, Victoria\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Athletics Victoria
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260801T143000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260801T160000
DTSTAMP:20260430T045449
CREATED:20240217T010043Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260313T055747Z
UID:6251-1785594600-1785600000@apsoc.net.au
SUMMARY:Hare & Hounds 8k
DESCRIPTION:2021 marked the dawn of a new era for the Hare & Hounds. After 51 years\, the Lucas family had done enough for the event and Association. Caulfield Grammarians stepped forward to host the event at Jells Park\, Wheelers Hill. \nSome history – during the 1960’s\, the APSOCAAA (known at the time as the APS Old Boys Amateur Athletic Association) was looking to develop more courses and events beyond the five or six main events then held each season. In the earlier part of the 20th century\, various Harriers clubs had enjoyed a cross country event in which a runner (the hare) would set off on an unknown course\, dropping flour or shredded paper\, followed some time later by the pack of runners (the hounds)\, who endeavoured to catch the hare before he got back home. \nIn 1969\, Neil Lucas\, the Old Scotch cross country captain and later to become Association President\, shared a flat in Berwick and suggested that the area could be a good venue. Neil invited the Association members for a run through the reserves\, paddocks and hills of Berwick\, using the format of the hare and hounds. A track was laid out using white lime\, although it could not be seen very well. Runners were graded and despatched in thirty second intervals rather than as a pack. Neil’s brother Peter recorded times. \nOn this first run\, Tony Lapsley (SK) (4:30 after go) somehow followed the designated course and got home before the rest of the field of about 35 runners.  Our host\, Neil Lucas (20:30 after go)\, with a distinct home ground advantage (he had marked the course in the morning)\, took fastest time honours. There were no particular prizes\, just the glory and a bottle of local wine. \nDuring the first decade of the event\, the course varied from time to time. A system of wider time intervals between slower runners and shorter intervals between faster runners was introduced. Early runs started near the showgrounds opposite the Haileybury campus and followed a muddy course of approximately 9 km along the Cardinia Creek reserve. Invariably runners got lost and\, if you think “the hill” at about the halfway point of the current course is tough\, next time you are there\, check out where the hill finishes. It is a further kilometre to the peak\, which explains Peter Bruce’s fastest time in 1977 of 38:33 compared with 21:39 three years earlier. The 1977 course is politely referred to in the handbook as the “long course”. There were also a number of unprotected barbed wire fences to negotiate\, which even tended to slow down the steeplechasers in the field. \nIn time\, and with Neil Lucas becoming the City of Berwick Chief Executive (and later the Member for Eumemmerring Province in State Parliament and Mayor of the City of Casey)\, the start moved to the Arch Brown Reserve. The start/finish was adjacent to the football club pavilion and the distance was nominally 9 km\, following much the same ground as the current course. Neil\, his wife Margaret and their family\, and brother Peter continued as our hosts. When Peter moved to Sydney with his employment\, he continued to set the day aside to be timekeeper for the event. \nAs Berwick developed and traffic on the roads increased\, it was decided to make the start/finish on the side of nearby Inglis Road\, thus creating an 8 km circuit along the roads and through paddocks without the need to cross any intersections. This course was used between 1992 and 2019. \nThe event has presented a number of highlights over the years.  When running through the property called “The Downs”\, runners had to follow the lane traversed by the cows when being brought into the milking sheds. Watching where to put your feet was one thing\, but having to hurdle a dead cow on the track was an unexpected extra one year. But probably the best bit of excitement was the year that a horse came out of the farm gate and ran alongside the leading runners\, then took the last turn and cantered through the finish line. Handicapper Field Rickards disqualified the horse for not carrying a tag. \nThe Berwick course was always considered a true cross country run\, although most of the roads are now sealed and there may be only one fence to negotiate. Over the years\, a number of athletes have managed to record the fastest time more than once – Ewen Wilson (OS)\, Peter Bruce (OX)\, Steve Brennan (OX)\, John Cormack (OS)\, Richard Hope (StK)\, David Lightfoot (OS)\, Paul Wilson (OS)\, Dean Gasson (OH) and Adam Pyke (OW). The hardest man to catch was Murray Wilcox (OC)\, who won from a mark of 1:10 after go in 1979. The best run from a backmarker was James Lightfoot (OS) in 2018\, who ran down everyone from a mark of 24:15. \nThe Association is indebted to Neil and the Lucas family for not only initiating this event but their continued interest and support for an incredible fifty-one years. \nCourse records: \nBerwick: Men – D Lightfoot (OS) 25:58 1993    Women – A Thompson (OW) 28:55 2002 \nJells Park: Men – A Pyke (OW) 25:28 2023   Women – A Kasapis (OW) 29:45 2023
URL:https://apsoc.net.au/events/hare-hounds/
LOCATION:Caulfield Grammar\, 74-82 Jells Road\, Wheelers Hill\, Victoria\, 3150\, Australia
CATEGORIES:APSOC
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260809T090000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260809T110000
DTSTAMP:20260430T045449
CREATED:20240217T010049Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260324T043658Z
UID:6382-1786266000-1786273200@apsoc.net.au
SUMMARY:AV Half Marathon
DESCRIPTION:A fast\, flat course around pretty Lake Wendouree\, previously the venue for the 15k/6k road races\, but now hosting the half marathon.
URL:https://apsoc.net.au/events/15k-road-race/
LOCATION:Lake Wendouree\, Wendouree Parade\, Ballarat\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Athletics Victoria
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260815T143000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260815T163000
DTSTAMP:20260430T045449
CREATED:20240217T010000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260313T055612Z
UID:6385-1786804200-1786811400@apsoc.net.au
SUMMARY:Brighton-by-the-Sea 8k
DESCRIPTION:After much groundwork by Alan Hooley\, the Old Brighton Grammarians club was admitted to the APSOC competition in 1987. Just one year later\, the club was granted permission to host a handicap event at Green Point on the Brighton foreshore. In the race’s early days\, runners would gather at the old wooden shelter in the Brighton Beach Gardens. It is fair to say that\, particularly in inclement weather\, the shelter did not cope well with the horde of runners and their post-race aromas. It therefore came as something of a relief when Old Brighton secured the use of the nearby Scout Hall for the event. \nThe course has not changed much over the years and has always featured the now notorious last kilometre on the soft and gluggy sand of Brighton Beach\, but has been shortened from 9 km to 8 km in 2025. The scenic splendour of the coloured bathing boxes is lost on the runners as they slog their way along the beach and up to the finish in the car park. \nEarly in the race\, runners must negotiate the sandy paths through the tea trees on the cliff top to and from Sandringham\, before joining the concrete footpath at beach level to Green Point. After passing the Scout Hall\, the course then continues north on the bitumen bike path next to Beach Road to the Brighton Baths\, where the runners turn back south for the run along the beach to the finish. \nA unique feature of the race is the teams handicap format. Instead of the club’s fastest runners\, it is the first four runners across the line\, whether male or female\, who make up its team. This gives the smaller clubs a chance for victory and both Old Brighton (five wins) and Old Geelong (three wins) have taken advantage of this over the years. Course record holders are Darren Wilson (OS) 27.23 and Kate Smyth (OW) 33.02. Darren’s mark from 2001\, in particular\, is phenomenal\, given the difficulty of the course. \nThere is ample parking in the Green Point car park.
URL:https://apsoc.net.au/events/brighton-by-the-sea-9k/
LOCATION:Green Point\, 40 Esplanade\, Brighton\, Victoria\, 3186\, Australia
CATEGORIES:APSOC
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260829T133000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260829T150000
DTSTAMP:20260430T045449
CREATED:20240217T010015Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260313T060153Z
UID:6396-1788010200-1788015600@apsoc.net.au
SUMMARY:Cooke-McClelland 8k
DESCRIPTION:It is fitting that the event which started it all back in 1931\, when the first challenge race took place between Old Xaverians\, Old Scotch and Old Wesley through the paddocks of Kew and Hawthorn\, usually takes pride of place as the final race on the APSOC winter calendar. The Cooke-McClelland is also the last of the five premiership races\, which means that the results of the event often determine the champion teams and athletes of the year. \nThe race is named after two of the founding members of Old Xaverians Athletic Club\, John “Jack” Cooke and Tom McClelland. It is run over a testing 8 km course around the Kew Boulevard and Yarra Bend. The course rises and falls several times\, and many athletes have suffered late in the race after going out too hard on the early hills. \nThe Cooke-McClelland course has remained relatively unchanged over almost half a century until 2022\, allowing direct comparisons between performances during that time. Only five male athletes have broken 25 minutes\, with Nick de Castella (OX) doing it twice and setting the course record of 24:37 in 1981. The outstanding quality of this run explains why it remains the oldest record on the APSOC books. Anna Thompson (OW) dominates the fastest women’s times\, with 27:25 being her best in 2002. The open team’s race is always hotly contested\, with Old Scotch holding the three lowest team scores under the current scoring system.  \nRoad safety considerations necessitated changes to the iconic course and the race is now run over two laps of 4 km\, but retaining the tough uphill section to the finish\, which will be completed twice\, once on each lap. \nPerhaps because it is the last event in the season\, the afternoon tea at Burke Hall is always one of the best of the year.
URL:https://apsoc.net.au/events/cooke-mcclelland-8k/
LOCATION:Burke Hall\, Studley Park Road\, Kew\, Victoria\, 3101\, Australia
CATEGORIES:APSOC,Old Xaverians
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260904T193000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260904T223000
DTSTAMP:20260430T045449
CREATED:20240217T010041Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260313T060315Z
UID:7435-1788550200-1788561000@apsoc.net.au
SUMMARY:APSOC Annual Dinner
DESCRIPTION:The Association’s “night of nights” as we salute the winners of APSOC’s individual and team awards\, and revel in the statistical wonder of the Handicapper’s Report.
URL:https://apsoc.net.au/events/apsoc-dinner/
LOCATION:Victoria
CATEGORIES:APSOC
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260906T080000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260906T100000
DTSTAMP:20260430T045449
CREATED:20240217T010017Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260324T050125Z
UID:6759-1788681600-1788688800@apsoc.net.au
SUMMARY:AV 15k/6k Road Race
DESCRIPTION:With its low gradient course along the banks of the Yarra River\, the Burnley course has deservedly gained a reputation as one of the fastest road courses in Australia. Previously the venue for the half marathon\, Burnley will now host the 15k and under 20 6k road races\, providing the the perfect opportunity to shoot for a personal best or tune up for the Melbourne Marathon.
URL:https://apsoc.net.au/events/av-half-marathon/
LOCATION:Yarra Boulevard\, Yarra Boulevard\, Burnley\, Victoria\, 3121\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Athletics Victoria
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260912T090000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260912T103000
DTSTAMP:20260430T045449
CREATED:20240217T010017Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260324T053203Z
UID:6401-1789203600-1789209000@apsoc.net.au
SUMMARY:AV Tan Relay
DESCRIPTION:The Tan track lies in the heart of the city’s sporting precinct. With a host of local and international distance running stars having made their mark on the hallowed course\, this is your chance to test yourself both against the greats and the clock. All competitors complete one lap of the 3.8km circuit\, which winds its way around the iconic Botanical Gardens and Kings Domain.
URL:https://apsoc.net.au/events/tan-relays/
LOCATION:Tan Track (Birdwood Ave)\, Birdwood Avenue\, Melbourne\, Victoria\, 3004\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Athletics Victoria
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END:VCALENDAR