WESTERN Athletics fired up the track last weekend at the Sandown Classic, making the most of near-perfect conditions for the third run of the Athletics Victoria Winter Series.

The powerhouse men’s division four team of Adam Clark, Adrian Jeffkins, David Tranter, Cameron Macaulay, Darren Casha and Bradley Hoare claimed fourth spot in their 10km run, with Adam Clark delivering an outstanding performance and covering the leg in 36.16 minutes.

In individual events, Narelle Bardsley was a force to be reckoned with in the division two women’s 10km road race, covering the course in 37.38 minutes – the second fastest time for the club.

The 29-year-old fitness instructor ran an inspirational race, placing 17th in a field of 138 women and smashing her former personal best by 40 seconds.

Seventeen-year-old Rebecca Gatt ran an equally satisfying race in the under 18 women’s 5km event.

Despite feeling under the weather, Gatt made a bid at the top three and narrowly missed out on a medal placing, coming fourth in 19.06 minutes.

Melissa Casha proved herself to be one to look out for in her 5km run for the under 16 girls, where she placed fifth in 19.37 minutes.

The weekend also brought belated congratulations to Gatt and team-mates Aimee Lane and Alice Sweeting.

The trio was left to savour the taste of success after learning of their team’s win in the women’s under 18 relay team for the Herald Sun/City Link Run for the Kids held in April at the Docklands.

The results were posted on the Athletics Victoria website five weeks after the race after queries were raised about the validity of the fun run’s timing system.