Runners will lace up for the 43rd edition of the Bathurst Edgell Jog on Sunday and this year’s race will start early than most years.
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And it’s almost impossible to pick a favourite for the jog, due mainly to participants registering on the day.
But the Edgell Jog committee have confirmed four-time female winner and Olympian Victoria Mitchell is set to return.
Mitchell was the female winner at the Edgell Jog in 2012 to 2015, breaking the female 7.5 kilometre record in 2015, when she finished in just 23 minutes and 52 seconds.
However, the Edgell Jog committee cannot confirm whether last year’s winner Rorey Hunter will defend his title.
UP Coaching’s Wes Gibson, who has had about 15 to 20 people coming to his sessions, has mentioned a few local runners that will have a good chance to impress.
“Mitch Williamson, who finished third at least year’s jog, is probably the best chance out of the local area. He’s from Orange and he’s a really good runner,” he said.
“Another person that will probably stand out towards the front will be Miller Rivett.
“He’s doing quite well at primary school PSSA level, athletics and cross country and he’s running under 20 minutes regularly at Parkrun. I anticipate he’ll do quite well at the junior division.”
Gisbson said the year six student, who competes in the under 12s category, is likely to be the quickest in the group he is training.
“But I’ve got a whole group of people at different ages and ability levels that have been working really hard,” he said.
“Some people, it’s the first time they’ve run the whole of Esrom Street in the past few weeks.
“It’ll be really good to see those guys do well on the day.
“It should be interesting to see who goes well. There’s plenty of local runners. Parkrun has been great to build up everyone’s confidence.
“Hopefully we can have a good day on Sunday. A little bit earlier, so it won’t be too hot. Hopefully everyone can perform well.”
This year’s jog will start at 9.30am, with runners start outside the Bathurst Court House.
The course goes down Russell Street, northwards, before turning right onto Peel Street and then right onto Durham Street.
The course then turns left up Esrom Street, before briefly heading on Mitre Street and then south onto Lambert Street.
It then turns right onto Rankin Street, then left onto Rocket Street, before turning left onto Seymour Street.
After Seymour, participants will turn left onto Russell, where they’ll finish back at the court house.