Welcome to the August 2025 edition of The Magpie.  As the winter season draws to a close, Athletics Victoria has released its summer calendar.  And it’s jam-packed with events for everyone. 

The summer season kicks off with the long-anticipated return of the Magpie Multies. 

With the AVSL season officially starting the following weekend (October 11).  There are a couple of rule changes to the AVSL rules.  One in particular is the ‘Home Zone – Entry Priority’.  This 25/26 AVSL season, Athletics Victoria has given athletes a priority entry period to enter their home venue.  Collingwood Harriers is in Zone A. Therefore, when entries for each round open at 5 pm on Wednesday, a week and a half before the round, athletes will only have access to enter Zone A events.  At noon on the Friday following (two days later), entries will be open to all other zoned athletes.  Hope that makes sense.  AV is also enforcing the qualification heights and distances for the jumps and throws as outlined in the controlled sheets.  Athletes will have to prove they have achieved the required height or distance before signing up on the controlled sheet.  Remember to ‘Check In’ for events a minimum of one hour before each event.  Here is a link to the guide for checking in.

The competition calendar below will keep everyone up to date with events and information for the coming summer season.

Round 7 saw us return to Lakeside at Albert Park for the second time this year, this time for the quick 10km (and 3km short course). Magnus Michelsson, and Ruby Callahan all picked up medals. Declan Loeckx, Natasha Gurtler, Tom Avram and Eric Louw all came 4^th in their respective age divisions and Indiana O’Brien 10^th in her first run for the senior club. 

In Round 8 we headed up the road to Ballarat once more this season for the 15km (6km short course) around Lake Wendouree and the weather gods gave us a sparkling morning of sunshine and low wind. Magnus Michelsson, Peter Gaunt, Zoe Delany and Danny Reddan all did well in their age groups with Rochelle Calia (in her first ever 15km) coming 23rd in F40+ and 5th in F45-49! Mikaila Young returned strongly from her overseas adventuring to come in under the hour (59:19) for the 15km.

Numbers have been low (in particular for Ballarat), which has put us in a real battle for promotion in Division 2 Men. We have now dropped to 2^nd place and need to pull out all stops to regain that top position. There are two rounds to go: the Half Marathon at Burnley and the Relays around The Tan. Hopefully, we can get as many competitors as possible to really finish off this season with a bang.

The 5 Mile Cross Country Championships are coming up on Saturday, 13^th September. More information below.

The First Tuesday of The Month!

Yes – it’s on again! Collingwood’s World Famous 400s session is on the first Tuesday of the month (Sep 2^nd ) beginning at 6:15 pm.

A great session, not only for general fitness, but also to improve your time/pace judgement. Suitable for everybody! 

We have had great numbers in recent months – let’s keep it up!

A Vic Title and PB

Our Champion walker, Marcus Wakim, grabbed another Victorian Title with a win in the 15k Road Championship, held on August 9^th at Middle Park. Clocking 64:20, Marcus’s time was an 18-second PB. Now in senior ranks, Marcus will be tackling the longer distances more often in the future. It’s not an easy pastime, this walking caper. Marcus is often at our track, belting out laps – try running with him sometime -  the pace may surprise you!

Well Done Kids!

Four of our juniors have gained selection to represent Victoria at the upcoming National Cross-Country Champs to be held at Ballarat later this month.

Isobel Rhodes (U/16), Ruby Callahan (U/17) and Natasha Gurtler (U/18) have made the Girl’s team, while Declan Loeckx (U/17) is our sole male rep.

Good luck to all our athletes.

Another Magpie for the Future

Club Treasurer Nick Rosa and partner Hannah have welcomed a baby girl to the family in recent days. All is well with Mum and Bub and Nick has a smile wider than a mile!

Congrats all round!

The Multies Are Back!

After a couple of years’ absence, the Club is pleased to announce the return of The Magpie Multies on the first weekend in October (4^th/5^th).

We are hoping for a good weekend of competition, but we are keen to have some assistance on both days in the conduct of the program.

We would certainly like to hear from anyone who can volunteer some time on either day.

We are particularly in need of some assistance in the canteen, where the main task will be the making of lunches for the officials and spectators. All the goods will be supplied for the making of rolls for the ‘hungry hordes’.

The FIVE mile

The Club 5 Mile Cross-Country Championship will be held on Saturday, September 13^th.

This is a great day in the Club’s calendar.

All Collingwood athletes are encouraged to run, with the winners having their names added to the Honour Boards in the rooms. This will be your last chance to compete in the first century of the Club, as the next year will see the Centenary running of the Championships.

The Junior race (3k) for boys up to and including Under 16, with the girls up to and including Under 18, will begin at 1:30 pm.  The Senior 5 Mile (8k) race begins at 2:00 pm.

The traditional Parade of Champions will take place back in the Clubrooms after the events.

Club uniform should be worn and the senior race is open to juniors if preferred.

Enter the 5 Mile Championships - HERE

2025

August 23

Australian Athletics National XC Championships, Victoria Park, Ballarat. (read more)

August 31

Sydney Marathon - Australian Marathon Championships.  (read more)

September 2

Griffo's 400 session

September 7

XCR Round 9 - Burnley Half Marathon. (read more)

September 13

Collingwood Harriers 5-mile club championship and Centenary Launch. (enter here/rsvp)

September 13 - 21

World Athletics Championships, Tokyo. (read more)

September 20

XCR Round 10 - Tan Relays. (read more)

September 25

Willanda Classic – Diamond Valley. (more information and entry)

October 4-5

Magpie Multis – George Knott Reserve.

October 7

Griffo's 400 session

October 11

AVSL Round 1 - Williamstown.  (read more)

October 12

Melbourne Marathon Festival.  (read more)

October 18

AVSL Round 2 - Doncaster.  (read more)

October 23

Box Hill Twilight – Box Hill.

October 25-26

Victorian All Schools Track and Field Championships (Weekend 1).  (read more)

October 26

Burnie 10 - Australian 10km Road Championships. (read more)

November 1-2

Victorian All Schools Track and Field Championships (Weekend 2).  (read more)

November 4

Griffo's 400 session

November 8

AVSL Round 3 - Keilor.  (read more)

November 13

Vic Milers Club Meet 1 - TBC.

November 15

AVSL Round 4 - Doncaster.  (read more)

November 20

Victorian 5,000 m Championships – Lakeside Stadium. (read more)

November 22

AVSL Round 5 - Aberfeldie.  (read more)

November 27 (TBC)

Collingwood Classic 2025 – George Knott Reserve.

November 29

AVSL Round 6 - Doncaster.  (read more)

December 2

Griffo's 400 session

December 4-8

National All Schools Track and Field Championships.  (read more)

December 12-14

Victorian Track and Field Relay Championships – Lakeside Stadium. (read more)

December 13

Zatopek: 10 – Lakeside Stadium. (read more)

December 18

Vic Milers Club Meet 2 - TBC.

2026

January 26

Collingwood Harriers Athletic Club 100^th Birthday.

Collingwood Little Athletics

Collingwood Little Athletes have been busy competing at the Victorian All Schools, LA Vic Region & LA Vic State Cross Country events over the past two months. There have been some outstanding results & these include:

Victorian All Schools XC (held at Bundoora Park)  

U14 Girls – Annabel Messer 6^th (10:39 - 3km)

U14 Boys – Oliver Horne 1^st (9:50 – 3km)

U16 Girls – Isobel Rhodes 5^th (14:15 – 4km)  

Good luck to the above three athletes who have qualified to represent Victoria at the Australian All Schools XC Championship on the 23^rd & 24^th of August in Ballarat. 

LA Vic Region XC Carnival (held at Lilydale)

U9 Boys – Joshua Bryant 1^st (5:38 – 1.5km)

U11 Boys – Sol Villamizar 5^th (7:37 – 2km)

U11 Girls – Indiana Walker 6^th (8:14 – 2km)

U12 Girls – Indiana O’Brien 2^nd (7:57 – 2km)

U13 Girls – Annabel Messer 2^nd (10:38 – 3km)

U14 Boys – Sebastian Trinder-Rothin 2^nd (11:35 – 3km)

LA Vic State XC Championships (held at Lake Dewar)

U9 Boys – Joshua Bryant 1^st (5:40 – 1.5km)

U13 Girls – Annabel Messer 4^th (10:59 – 3km)

Collingwood Masters Athletics

Our 'more mature athletes' have yet again had another massive month both on and off the track.

The 'winter series' is about to wrap up.

Last Tuesday Andrew (59yrs) laid down a super impressive 14.62 in the 110, backing it up the following night with 13.08 100 and 30.07 220m.

Azain Raban continues to delight his legion of fans. The former national junior champion, now a freshly minted 50yr old, hammered out a 30.15 220m suggesting a growing capacity to finish off the longer sprints.

A blistering 12.88 from 53 yr old Adam Delbridge in the 100 was a timely shot across the bow to those who threaten to usurp his sprint reign!

Other highlights;

John Russell (81yrs) 20.49 for the 110.

Anna Corney's 18.22 110. 

Keith Howden's (80yrs) superb 17.84 in the 110.

Andrew Evans set a new club record in the 55-59 bracket - 10km. 37.51. If you've never seen Andrew run, create some time in the diary. A beautiful long striding loper he could make a run across the desert look like a stroll in the park.

Back to Keithy Howden. What a cracking night at the club Keithy's 80 was. 

A shambolic combination of racing, musical performances and speeches.

Amongst it all, genuine affection and respect for someone who only came to the sport at the age of 54 and has since enjoyed a career that has taken him across the globe with swag of international and national medals.

That's it for this month. Keep running and respect your elder athletes. We were faster than you once.

Club Uniform and Merchandise

Treat yourself to some new training gear.

In collaboration with Sub4 Apparel, Collingwood Harriers have designed a range of training/warm-up tops and apparel.

The long sleeve, short sleeve and singlet are made from Sub4's premium comfortable lightweight DRYLYTE fabric.

The hoodie is made from a thick charcoal grey fleece, has black and white prints front and back.

Top it off with a Collingwood Harriers running cap.

All merchandise items are available through a made-to-order site hosted by Sub4.  The link below is open to take orders through September 20.

www.sub4.com.au/category/collingwood

Keep the head warm through winter with a Collingwood Harriers Beanie, available through the club shop link below.

Competition tops can also be purchased through the club portal below.

https://www.revolutionise.com.au/collingwood/shop

Grant Opportunities

City of Yarra Sports Competition Pathway Grants

Yarra's Sports Competition Pathway Grants (SCP) are available to encourage greater participation in sport competition pathways and provide financial support to local athletes who participate at State, National and International levels.

Closing date 30 September 2025. More information via website - https://www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/get-involved/community-grants/sports-competition-pathway-grants

Awards

The Chemist Warehouse Community Hero Awards Are Back For 2025

From those who volunteer in the rain, hail or shine, to the stalwarts and officials who are the heartbeat of their local clubs, the Chemist Warehouse Community Hero Awards are open to anyone who makes a genuine difference.

This year’s Awards look to celebrate two groups within the athletics community:

The All-Round Contributor:

Individuals of any age who go above and beyond to support the sport and those within it.

The Rising Contributor:

Individuals under 30 years old who are already making positive impacts on their athletics community.

Nominations are open to the public, so now is your time to help shine a spotlight on those in the community who deserve recognition!

Nominate your hero HERE.

Annual City of Yarra Community Awards

The annual awards are an opportunity to honour our local community members who make Yarra such a wonderful place to live, work and visit. Do you know an individual or group who deserves to be recognised? It takes under 10 minutes to submit a nomination. One of the categories is "Contributions to Sport". Thinking caps on members. Nominations close on Sunday, 24 August. Nominate HERE 

Some notes from past Committee meetings would suggest that things used to happen a lot quicker than they do in modern times.

The building mentioned is our old Clubrooms near the railway line and the overpass on Heidelberg Rd.

August 5^th 1940

G. Thompson advised that he had had an informal talk with Councillor Angus re the pavilion to be erected on Coulson Reserve and stated that he thought the Council was sympathetic for the continuance of the projected scheme in spite of of conditions prevailing because of the war.

October 21^st 1940

Correspondence form City Surveyor forwarding blue print of Coulson Park.

Hon Secretary reported that a delegation comprising Messrs W. Blanchard, A. Opitz, G. Knott, G. Thompson and N. Marshall would attend the Council meeting on 28/10/40 to again put Club’s case re erection of Dressing Pavilion on Coulson Reerve.

December 1^st 1940

Correspondence from Collingwood Council forwarding plans for proposed Clubrooms for Collingwood Harriers in Coulson Reserve.

Also requesting Club to specify where it proposed that the new pavilion should be erected.

April 21^st 1941

Report that the Collingwood Council had been attended by a delegation from the Club.

That the pavilion was in the course of erection on Coulson Reserve to be used by the Club.

The Council would vest the Building in Trustees of the Collingwood Harriers and an agreement would be drawn up by the Council to be signed by the Trustees of the Club and a Committtee of management which would comprise Councillors of the City of Collingwood.

May 19^th 1941

Report on progress of Pavilion at Coulson Reserve (no further details)

The ‘new’ rooms were opened on August 9^th 1941.

There is a picture of the ‘Opening’ in the Committee room at our present facility.

Perhaps we could get the old Collingwood Council to take over the Suburban Rail Loop.

“People who walk slow ain't got nowhere to go”, Ron Clarke

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