Stawell and Ararat Cross Country Club

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Stawell and Ararat Cross Country Club We are a social cross country running club, promoting fitness and friendship. Our oldest runners are in their 70s.

Our club stages up to 20 cross country races, from April to September, in the Stawell and Ararat region for keen runners aged 13 to infinity. We race Sundays at 9:45am and the cost of entry is just $5. We race under handicap conditions which gives everyone, from the fastest to the slowest, a chance of winning cash, prizes and sashes culminating in a dinner and Presentation Night at the end of the season.

2026 Presentation Night. Congratulations to Annie Brown, our 2026 Club Aggregate Champion. The Club Aggregate is one of ...
17/10/2026

2026 Presentation Night.

Congratulations to Annie Brown, our 2026 Club Aggregate Champion.

The Club Aggregate is one of the most prestigious awards on the Stawell and Ararat Cross Country Club calendar. To claim this title takes enormous commitment, consistency and determination — competing in as many races as possible while producing strong performances week after week.

And what a thrilling finish we had to the 2026 season.

The battle for the Aggregate went right down to the wire, with a tightly contested leaderboard and the lead changing hands over the final few races. It wasn’t until the very last race, the President’s Championship, that the final placings were decided.

Annie Brown claimed the title with 117 points, just one point ahead of the ever-improving Tim McQueen on 116 points, with Eleanor Mann finishing third on 111 points.

Both Annie and Tim demonstrated incredible commitment, competing in every single race of the 2026 season.

Interestingly, Annie’s Aggregate victory came despite standing on the podium just twice throughout the season and narrowly missing out on a handicap race win. Her success is a true reflection of consistency, proving that you don’t need to win races to become an Aggregate Champion.

Tim also enjoyed a fantastic season, highlighted by his victory in the Trounson Family Handicap, and pushed Annie all the way to the final race.

Eleanor Mann made a late charge up the leaderboard, winning the President’s Championship and collecting a valuable 13 points to secure third place overall.

A special mention must also go to Nicki Blackie, Mouse Madex and Tim Molloy, who incredibly all finished equal fourth on 110 points — just seven points separating the top six competitors.

The 2026 season was also a milestone year for Annie, who celebrated her 50th club race and now becomes just the third female in club history to have her name engraved on the Club Aggregate trophy.

What an achievement and what a season!

Congratulations Annie, a very deserving 2026 Club Aggregate Champion! 🏆👏

🏆 2026 OPEN CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP 🏆A huge congratulations to Paul Fenn, who has taken out the 2026 Open Club Championship, p...
17/10/2026

🏆 2026 OPEN CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP 🏆

A huge congratulations to Paul Fenn, who has taken out the 2026 Open Club Championship, proudly sponsored by Peter and Trish Mottram

🥇 1st – Paul Fenn – 37 points
🥈 2nd – Rohan Homburg – 32 points
🥉 3rd – Mark Thompson – 31 points

Fenny was genuinely humbled to accept his 5th Club Championship sash, recognising just how prestigious this award is and what it means to achieve this honour once again.

Rohan Homburg also had a fantastic season, relishing the challenge of trying to chase down Fenny! Rohan kept closing the gap throughout the championship races, and by the final race had narrowed it to under a minute! A brilliant effort and some great competition between the two.

Making the occasion even more special was having Fenny’s trophy presented by newly inducted Life Member Peter Mottram, who, together with Trish, has generously sponsored the Open Club Championship since 1987.

Peter’s longstanding commitment to the club and his recent induction as a Life Member made this a particularly memorable presentation, celebrating both the achievements of today’s runners and the wonderful history of our club.

Five championship sashes – what an incredible achievement, Fenny!

🏆 2026 LADIES CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP 🏆A huge congratulations to Leah Seebohm, who has taken out the 2026 Ladies Club Champion...
17/10/2026

🏆 2026 LADIES CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP 🏆

A huge congratulations to Leah Seebohm, who has taken out the 2026 Ladies Club Championship, proudly sponsored by David and Leanne Fenn

Leah had an incredible season, winning all four championship races to finish with a perfect score of 40 points! 👏

🥇 1st – Leah Seebohm – 40 points
🥈 2nd – Annie Brown – 29 points
🥉 3rd – Casey Smith – 22 points

Despite her outstanding results, Leah remains incredibly humble about her achievements. But there’s no hiding the fact that she’s had a sensational season.

And if winning all four championship races wasn’t impressive enough, Leah also competed in the Melbourne Marathon just five days ago! 🏃‍♀️
What an incredible effort and a true reflection of her dedication and determination.

A special mention to Leah’s training partner, Annie Brown, who claimed second place, and Casey Smith, who rounded out the podium in third.

A huge thank you to David and Leanne Fenn, whose generosity extends beyond sponsoring the Ladies Club Championship and the Fenn Family Handicap. The Fenns are also well known for their mysterious surprise gifts, adding a little extra fun and excitement to our club celebrations!

Congratulations to all our ladies on a fantastic season, and thank you again to the Fenn family for their wonderful ongoing support of our club! 👏

🏆 2026 OVER 50s CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP 🏆A huge congratulations to Matt Haddow, who has taken out the 2026 Over 50s Club Champ...
17/10/2026

🏆 2026 OVER 50s CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP 🏆

A huge congratulations to Matt Haddow, who has taken out the 2026 Over 50s Club Championship, proudly sponsored by Leo Watkins, with the award presented by Russell Watkins.

Matt had an outstanding season, winning all four championship races to finish with a perfect score of 40 points! 👏

🥇 1st – Matt Haddow – 40 points
🥈 2nd – Mouse Madex – 32 points
🥉 Equal 3rd – John Peacock & Tim Molloy – 21 points

Now competing in the Over 50s category, Matt saw it as the perfect opportunity to have a crack at taking out a Club Championship. And he certainly made the most of it!

With plenty of talented and competitive runners in the Over 50s category, winning all four championship races was no small achievement!

Who said the Over 50s category was all downhill? Matt has certainly hit the ground running! 😂🏃‍♂️

Congratulations Matt on a fantastic season, and well done to all our Over 50s competitors!

🏆 2026 OVER 40s CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP 🏆Congratulations to Paul Fenn, who has taken out the 2026 Over 40s Club Championship, ...
17/10/2026

🏆 2026 OVER 40s CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP 🏆

Congratulations to Paul Fenn, who has taken out the 2026 Over 40s Club Championship, proudly sponsored by Shev and Mike Healy

🥇 1st – Paul Fenn – 37 points
🥈 2nd – Rohan Homburg – 32 points
🥉 3rd – Mark Thompson – 31 points

Congratulations to all three on a fantastic season!

And of course, Fenny couldn’t accept his win without sharing one of his famous “Fenny Funny Tips” on how to maintain that impressive running form!

“When passing fellow competitors, hold your breath! That way they can’t hear you struggling, they’ll think you’re doing it easy and won’t try to challenge you in a sprint!”

🤣🤣 Tip noted, Fenny! We’re not sure the sports scientists would agree, but clearly it’s working for you!

Well done, Paul!

SACCC 2026 Presentation night Life membership induction Peter Mottram In 2026, the Stawell and Ararat Cross Country Club...
17/10/2026

SACCC 2026 Presentation night

Life membership induction
Peter Mottram

In 2026, the Stawell and Ararat Cross Country Club proudly inducts Peter Mottram as a Life Member, recognising an extraordinary association with SACCC that began in the Club’s very first year.

Peter joined SACCC in 1968, the Club’s inaugural season, competing in two races that year. Over the following 30 years, Peter
competed across 22 seasons and 178 club races, proudly wearing
race number 553.

During his running career, Peter achieved nine race victories. One
of his finest seasons came in 1994, when he returned from illness
to compete in 17 races. As the season progressed, so did Peter,
achieving an impressive eight podium finishes, including three
victories, before going on to win the 1994 Club Aggregate.
Peter’s contribution was never limited to running. In the Club’s formative years, he served on the
General Committee in the early years, contributing to SACCC both on and off the course.

Together with his wife, Peter has also shown remarkable generosity and loyalty through decades of
sponsorship. Their support began in 1983, initially through donations towards Presentation Night,
with records showing their sponsorship of the Club Championship from 1987. In 2026, this represents
an extraordinary 43 years of support and sponsorship of SACCC.

Peter’s legacy within the Club has also continued through his family. The number 553, worn by Peter
throughout his 178 races, returned to the course when his daughter Nicki joined SACCC in 2021 and
proudly took over her father’s race number.
From being there in SACCC’s inaugural year to more than four decades of sponsorship, Peter’s contribution spans generations and forms part of the history and tradition of our Club.

For his commitment, service, loyalty and outstanding contribution to SACCC, it is with great pleasure
that we inducted
PETER MOTTRAM as a Life Member of
the Stawell and Ararat Cross Country
Club.

Congratulaons Peter, and thank you
for your remarkable contribution to our club.

Presidents Championship Junior Run Brings the 2026 Junior Series to a CloseSpring turned on perfect running conditions f...
21/09/2026

Presidents Championship Junior Run Brings the 2026 Junior Series to a Close

Spring turned on perfect running conditions for the final run of the Stawell and Ararat Cross Country Club’s (SACCC) 2026 Junior Series, with 26 young runners lining up for the Presidents Championship Junior Run.

With the final race of the season bringing the series to a close, runners once again had the choice of the inclusive 1km and 3km courses.

And with one last opportunity to test themselves for 2026, many runners rose to the occasion, dramatically improving on previous times, while others challenged themselves to step up to the longer distance. It was a fitting way to finish a junior series that has seen runners grow in confidence, determination and ability throughout the season.

The final race also provided the opportunity to recognise the runners who had shown improvement and commitment. The previous week’s Most Improved awards were presented to Billie Seres in the 1km and Herbie Warren in the 3km.

For the final race, Lulu Tierney was recognised as the 1km Most Improved, while James Lenehan took out the 3km award. Encouragement awards were also presented, with Oliver Seres recognised in the 3km for consistently pushing himself each week. In the 1km, Marlee Walker and Will Seebohm were recognised for their incredible consistency. Not only have both runners competed in every junior race this season, they are the only 2 runners who have never missed a junior run since the inception of the Junior races 3 years ago. A special Encouragement Award was also presented to Daine Greenough in recognition of his wonderful display of determination,
All junior prizes throughout the series have been generously donated by Baker’s Delight Ararat, and SACCC sincerely thanks them for their continued support of the club’s junior series.

The final lucky prizes of the season went to Harry Bortko in the 1km and Max Seebohm in the 3km.

There were also two very special prizes presented at the conclusion of the series. Sponsored by Leah Seebohm and Annie Brown, the Junior Series sashes recognise runners who consistently perform strongly in their chosen distance throughout the season. For each run in the junior series runners were awarded points based on their finishing position. Throughout the season, these points are accumulated and tallied, with the runners who consistently achieved the strongest result in their chosen distance being rewarded for their efforts and consistency. The recipients were Clementine Mann, awarded the 1km sash for her strong and consistent efforts across the season, and Cody Hamilton, who was presented with the 3km sash for regularly performing well in the 3km event.

SACCC would like to extend a big congratulations to all of our junior runners and an even bigger thank you to all the families who have supported the junior series throughout the season. It has been incredible to watch the numbers grow, see new faces join us, and watch our young runners challenge themselves and push their limits week after week.

We are so proud of every runner who lined up this season, whether it was their first ever race or their third year of junior competition.
Thank you for making 2026 such a fantastic season. We can’t wait to see you all back on the start line in 2027!

Full list of results from the President’s Championship Junior Run are available here: https://www.webscorer.com/racealldetails?raceid=448368

Eleanor Mann Makes Her Mark at President’s ChampionshipEleanor Mann has capped off a dream debut season with the Stawell...
20/09/2026

Eleanor Mann Makes Her Mark at President’s Championship

Eleanor Mann has capped off a dream debut season with the Stawell and Ararat Cross Country Club (SACCC), making her mark and securing a spectacular second win for 2026 in the final race of the season, the President’s 5km Championship. Havana Madex finished second, while Matt Haddow rounded out the podium in third. Haddow’s performance not only secured his place on the podium but also earned him maximum Championship points in his age category, further strengthening his claim on the title, while Paul Fenn and Leah Seebohm once again proved dominant, claiming maximum Championship points in the Open and Women’s categories respectively.

A warm Spring morning and near-perfect running conditions greeted 30 eager runners as they gathered on Saw Pit Flat Road in the Dunneworthy Common for one last battle for Championship points, and the final race of what has been an incredibly successful 2026 season for SACCC. For the final time in 2026, 12-year-old Delilah Brown, who generously gave her time throughout the season in the vital role of timekeeper, gave the call of ‘GO’, sending runners off in a mass start with a sealed handicap.

Rohan Homburg sprung from the start line to set the early pace, leading a trail of yellow-clad runners along Saw Pit Flat Road as the final race for Championship points got underway. Well and truly race-fit and ready ahead of the upcoming Melbourne Marathon, Homburg showcased his strength and speed from the outset, leading the charge ahead of fellow Championship contenders Paul Fenn and Mark Thompson. Homburg continued to hold the lead as runners turned onto Gamson Track and began the climb towards the peak, while Leah Seebohm led the charge in the Women’s Championship race. Also race fit and building towards the Melbourne Marathon, Seebohm comfortably maintained her position at the front of the women’s field, as she reached top of the climb.

After reaching the peak, runners then powered down Cherry Tree Track before turning back onto Saw Pit Flat Road to complete the 5km circuit through Dunneworthy Common.

As runners emerged onto Saw Pit Flat Road for the final stretch to the finish, the race for Championship points intensified. Paul Fenn led the charge, powering across the line to claim maximum Open Championship points and record the fastest time of the day in 19’ 42”. Homburg followed in 20’ 25”, securing the second-fastest time, while Cam Gellie, making a welcome return to the club as an invitational runner, recorded the third-fastest time in 21 ’25”.

In the women’s race, Leah Seebohm once again proved dominant in the battle for Championship points, powering home as the fastest female runner in 24’ 42”. Annie Brown finished second-fastest in 26’ 28”, while Casey Smith, currently training towards a half marathon, continued her strong form to record the third-fastest women’s time in 28’ 37”.

With the Championship points decided, attention turned to the sealed handicap results. As it was the final race of the season, many runners had pushed themselves to the limit, with a number of members recording personal best 5km times despite the challenging course, making the handicap result all the more eagerly anticipated. But it was Eleanor Mann who emerged victorious, claiming her second sash of the season. It was a remarkable way to cap off an outstanding debut season for Eleanor, who has taken more than seven and a half minutes off her 5km time since her very first SACCC run of 2026, in a huge testament to her impressive improvement and ascent in fitness. Reflecting on her season and her second win for 2026, Eleanor said, “I feel very honoured. It is such a privilege to run with you all, you are such an awesome bunch of runners.” She thanked everyone at the SACCC for their encouragement, support and friendship, and also acknowledged that she is especially motivated and inspired by Havana Madex, who claimed second place, capping off an incredible debut season of her own by not only finding herself on the podium, but also recording a new 5km personal best. Matt Haddow finished the 2026 season strong and rounded out the podium in third.

With the 2026 season syllabus of racing now at an end, SACCC members look forward to crowning the club Champions and celebrating yet another strong and successful season at their Presentation Evening on October 16 at Chalambar Bar and Bistro.

If you are interested in joining the club for 2027, please visit the club website for further information.
https://www.revolutionise.com.au/stawellandararat

🏆 **THE FINAL JUNIOR RACE OF THE 2026 SEASON!** 🏆Come along tomorrow for our **PRESIDENT’S CHAMPIONSHIP JUNIOR RUN** — t...
18/09/2026

🏆 **THE FINAL JUNIOR RACE OF THE 2026 SEASON!** 🏆

Come along tomorrow for our **PRESIDENT’S CHAMPIONSHIP JUNIOR RUN** — the final junior race of the 2026 season!

The same **inclusive 1km and 3km distances** you’ve enjoyed all season, with our usual **Most Improved and Encouragement Awards** up for grabs.

But tomorrow is extra special… 🏆 we will be crowning our 2026 Junior Season Champions!**

So sign up, lace up, and join us at the Dunneworthy Common for the last junior run of the 2026 season.

We can’t wait to see you there!

👉 Register here: https://www.webscorer.com/register?raceid=444244

🏃‍♀️🏆 PRESIDENTS 5000m CHAMPIONSHIP 🏆🏃‍♂️This Sunday 20th September, is the final race for the 2026 season. We run Pres...
17/09/2026

🏃‍♀️🏆 PRESIDENTS 5000m CHAMPIONSHIP 🏆🏃‍♂️

This Sunday 20th September, is the final race for the 2026 season.
We run President ‘Mark Thompson’ 5000m Championship. 🌟 !

A great course through the bushland at Dunnesworthy Common.

📍 Location: Dunnworthy Common, Alec Mackenzie Dam.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/QkCwfHCBsDLHUjjh9?g_st=ic

👟 JUNIOR RACE
1km or 3km, choose on registration
Free event for juniors
https://www.webscorer.com/register?raceid=444244
Registration online

🏁 Race starts 8:30am

🏃 ADULT over 14years 5km CHAMPIONSHIP
💵 $5 race entry on the day
📢 Race safety briefing 9:15am
⏰ 9:30am – MASS GROUP START

Whether you’re fast, slow, or somewhere in between, everyone is welcome to participate! Come along, enjoy the course, and be part of this fantastic Club Championship event. There’s no need to worry about your pace—just bring your enthusiasm and have a go!

With everyone heading off together, it should make for a fantastic Championship race!

🏆 PRIZES
🥇 1st – $50
🥈 2nd – $25
🥉 3rd – $15

The sash and prize money are generously donated by the Gillman International.

See you Sunday 🏃‍♀️

https://www.revolutionise.com.au/stawellandararat

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Ararat, VIC

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