FORGET breakfast in bed – nearly 600 athletes gave their mothers a quick peck on the cheek on Mother’s Day before making their way to Bundoora’s La Trobe University for the second run of the Athletics Victoria (AV) winter series.

Junior athletes battled it out in a 5km undulating road race while their open age counterparts endured a lengthier 15km stretch.

An explosive performance by Western Athletics’ division six team sees the side currently sit atop the division six ladder with 23 points under their belt, while rivals Keilor St Bernards trail five points behind on second.

Western Athletics’ Mitchell Pyers and David Tranter both put in concerted efforts in their respective 15km runs to take out first and second spot while teammates Adam Knowles (5) and Gary O’Dwyer also put in solid performances.

Keilor St Bernards filled in third and fourth places thanks to Liam Smith and Mario Muscara.

Narelle Bardsley did Western Athletics proud with her 15km effort, running 56.49 minutes to snare second in her division and placing fourth from the overall field of 88, while fellow competitor finished fourth for the division three men.

Keilor St Bernards descended on La Trobe with a contingent of 41 athletes flying the blue, yellow and black and put in an admirable show.

Under 18 entrant David Ireland followed up his Jells Park relay show with an impressive third in his 5km event, while teammate Mark Blicavs ran through 40 seconds later to clinch fifth.

Lisa Stanton-Smith also earned third place with her 19.51-minute leg in the under 20 women’s run with Elise Aplin the next to come through in 19.51 minutes.

Current ladder standings see Keilor’s division one men sitting in fourth place.

The teams are gearing up for their third meet this Saturday for the Sandown Classic 10km road race.