Sydney University Elite Athlete Program (EAP) scholarship holder Anneliese Rubie has finished in second place in Sunday’s Balmoral Burn.
It is the second year in a row that Rubie (Liberal Arts & Sciences) has finished second behind Fran Schmiede.
After the race, Rubie a 400m specialist, who won in 2010, conceded the 420m run up the particularly steep Awaba St in Balmoral, was more suited to an 800m runner.
“At least a 600m runner,’’ her coach John Atterton quipped.
Third across the line was one of the most improved runners in Sydney this year, fellow Sydney University Athletics Club (SUAC) member Joanna Cubis.
Cubis almost missed entering this year’s race as her invitation was sent to her previous address and she only received it after initial entries had closed.
However organisers were happy to accept her late entry.
Rubie led the field early from Emma Hunt, Miranda Middleton and Cubis, with Schmiede and Amy Brown stalking the leading pack.
Hunt was the first to crack and when Schmiede made her move about 60m from the finish Brown tried to go with her and momentarily looked a threat.
However she could not match Schmiede’s finishing burst to win in 1min45sec while Rubie (1:47) and Cubis (1:48) hung on gamely to fill the minor placings.
James Gurr successfully defended his crown in the men’s event, finishing just two seconds in front of Sydney University EAP scholarship holder and SUAC member Joshua Ralph.
Jarret Titcombe (Sutherland) set a cracking pace early on with Gurr a clear second and Josh Ralph (Sydney Uni) leading the rest.
Gurr made his move with 100m to go.
Titcombe matched him for a few strides then wilted badly.
It was left to Ralph to throw out the challenge to Gurr, and he did, with Gurr crossing the line in 1:23, two seconds slower than his winning time last year and just two seconds clear of Ralph.
Sydney Uni Sport & Fitness (SUSF) Fitness Instructor & Seniors Consultant Cris Penn won her fifth consecutive Balmoral Burn by taking out the women’s 50+ years’ race.
