ATHLETICS Victoria has launched its 2007 winter season with a bang, attracting a record number of athletes for its opening cross-country relay at Jells Park last month.

More than 900 distance enthusiasts hit the ground running, tracing their way around a punishing 3km course for younger teams while older athletes had to gather their endurance for a 6km stretch.

Athletics Essendon was the team to look out for in many of the events, with its younger competitors racking up wins left, right and centre.

The side easily won the under 14 women’s relay over second-placed Sandringham, thanks to the combined efforts of Allanah Hayes, Sarah Connell and Erin Rayner, with Rayner boasting the fastest 3km leg in the division with a run of 11.02 minutes.

In an Athletics Essendon double, the club saw its two under 16 women’s teams bag first and third in inspiring runs, while its under 18 women suffered a one-minute defeat at the hands of Doncaster.

On the men’s front, the under 14 and 16 teams also won their respective relays, while the division two and four men came third and first respectively.

Distance veterans also came out in their numbers, with Essendon’s 40-plus men running a combined 1:26.54 to see out the day ninth.

In other runs, the second under 14 women’s team finished sixth, the under 20 women’s team fourth, and the men’s under 18 and 20 sides came in seventh.