GIPPSLAND TRACK CLUB

Gippslanders going the extra mile

ABOUT | TRAINING | TEAM | HISTORY | EVENTS | STORE | JOIN GTC

MUSTER UP

Gippsland Track Club is a performance-driven team uniting emerging and elite athletes across Australia and beyond. Founded in regional Victoria, we've grown into a training group with national impact and international reach.

We exist to help athletes run fast and perform at their best—while fostering a culture built on professionalism, connection, and miles of smiles. From juniors to pros, our members share a commitment to excellence, a love of the sport, and a desire to go faster — together.

JOIN GTC

Elite

Our High Performance team

Development

Junior athletes on the rise

Youth - Track Cubs

Fast Fun with a focus on technique

Open & Masters

We are all born to run

TRAIN WITH GTC

Unlock your potential with Gippsland’s premier running club - renowned for developing Australian medalists, state champions, and international competitors.

GTC ELITE

Gippsland Track Club Elite team is focused on national and international success. Bound by integrity and a relentless pursuit of excellence, the Gippsland Track Club Elite Program is our highest tier - providing a clear pathway from junior promise to elite-level racing. It exists to bridge the gap between grassroots and greatness, helping our dedicated athletes take their performance to the highest level.

Our high-performance training squad is guided by sub-4 minute miler and former national 1500m medalist Craig Huffer. Our GTC Elite team also works in partnership with professional US based team - The Very Nice Track Club.

The Gippsland Track Club Performance Squad is a selective team of athletes who meet qualifying standards and are ready to commit to their growth within a supportive, team-focused environment. The team training base is in Melbourne.

For more information about the Gippsland Track Club's Elite Program - contact Coach Craig

YOUTH (TRACK CUBS)

The Gippsland Track Club (GTC) Youth Track Cubs program is designed to introduce children aged 9 to 13 to the fundamentals of running and athletic movement in a fun, supportive environment. Focused on developing coordination, balance, and proper technique from through the fundamental ages, the program blends play-based activities with expert instruction to build confidence and foundational skills. Whether a child is new to athletics or looking to improve their speed, agility, endurance and technique, the Cubs program offers a perfect entry point into running, setting them up for long-term success and enjoyment in sport.

VIRTUAL COACHING

The Gippsland Track Club Virtual Coaching Program provides personalized, high-quality training for runners of all levels—whether you're a junior athlete, masters competitor, recreational runner, or chasing elite performance. Each athlete receives a structured, day-to-day training plan tailored to their goals, background, and schedule. With regular communication, feedback on sessions, and close monitoring of training load and progression, the program offers the support and structure needed to improve performance and reduce injury risk.

Training is delivered through Final Surge, a leading online platform that allows athletes to log sessions, upload GPS data, and track progress in real time. It also facilitates direct communication between athlete and coach, ensuring accountability and personalized feedback. As a bonus, all Virtual Coaching athletes gain free access to our in-person group sessions, offering a unique blend of individual coaching and community connection. Whether you're working toward a personal best or preparing for high-level competition, the GTC Virtual Coaching Program is designed to help you train smarter—wherever you are.

Individualised day to day training plan
24/7 Training advice, workout updates and communication
Goal setting and personalised planning tailored to your needs and goals
Free Access to all Gippsland TC & Tan TC sessions
Training accessible via android, ios and internet browser
Discount access to high performance strength & conditioning, physiotherapy

OPEN & MASTERS

The Gippsland Track Club (GTC) Open & Masters program caters to athletes of all ages and abilities, from beginners to elite performers. Our inclusive group training sessions offer a supportive environment to improve fitness, speed, and technique, while our virtual coaching program provides tailored day-to-day training plans, feedback, and load monitoring for those who prefer remote support. For professional and high-performance athletes, GTC offers an elite program focused on race preparation, biomechanics, and performance optimization. Whether you're chasing a personal best, returning to sport, or competing at a national level, our Open & Masters program adapts to your goals and helps you get the most out of your training.

RUNNING ANALYSIS

At Gippsland Track Club, our Running Analysis sessions are designed to help you take the right steps forward in your running—whether you're chasing a PB, returning from injury, simply wanting to learn to run, or improve your technique.

Each session includes a detailed video and biomechanical analysis of your running form, along with a review of your training structure and performance goals. We assess key areas such as posture, stride, foot strike, arm swing, and how effectively you apply force when running.

What we cover:

Identify movement patterns that may be limiting your performance
Highlight strengths and technical areas to build on
Align your technique with your goals and current training load
Provide tailored drills, cues, and training recommendations

Our goal is to improve efficiency, reduce injury risk, and support long-term progress. Suitable for runners of all ages and levels

STRENGTH & CONDITIONING

At Gippsland Track Club, we offer tailored Strength and Conditioning programs to support athletic development, injury prevention, and overall performance.

Our programs are designed to complement your running and sport-specific goals—whether you're building a strong foundation, returning from injury, or preparing for competition. We focus on improving mobility, stability, coordination, power, and strength relevant to your stage of development and training load.

PRIVATE SESSIONS

Our Private Coaching Sessions are tailored one-on-one appointments designed to fast-track your development with focused attention on your technique, performance, and athletic goals.

Ideal for runners and athletes of all ages and abilities, these sessions allow us to work closely with you on:

Running technique and efficiency
Speed, power, and coordination
Injury prevention and return-to-sport strategies
Goal setting and training structure advice

Whether you're new to the sport, preparing for competition, or wanting to correct habits that may be holding you back, private sessions provide in-depth, personalised support.

Each session includes hands-on coaching, targeted drills, and feedback you can apply immediately. You'll walk away with a clearer understanding of your body and how to move better.

HIGH SCHOOL - DEVELOPMENT SQUAD

The Gippsland Track Club Development Squad provides a high-quality training environment for emerging high school athletes aiming to compete at state and national levels in sprints, middle and long distance. This program bridges the gap between foundational training and elite-level performance, focusing on long-term athlete development, technical improvement, and competition readiness.

Entry into the Development Squad is selective; athletes are required to have progressed through our Youth Development Program or completed private training - introducing them to our training methods and demonstrate they are suited to the squad structure.

Athletes in the Development Squad receive individualised training programmes tailored to their specific needs, goals, and event focus. Alongside personalised coaching, the club offers separate group training sessions designed specifically for sprinters and middle-distance athletes, providing targeted skill development and a supportive team environment.

Athletes are guided by experienced coaches and introduced to the same performance principles that underpin our Elite Programme. Progression is closely monitored, and athletes are supported both on and off the track as they work towards qualifying for our top-tier performance group.

We also support elite athletes from other sports — including AFL, AFLW, netball, hockey, and soccer — who use our system to build running efficiency, resilience, and explosive speed. Several AFL and AFLW athletes have progressed through the Gippsland Track Club pathway, benefiting from our proven track-based development model. Over the years, the squad has produced many national age champions and medallists, as well as more than 100 state medallists.

GTC TRAINING

Gippsland Track Club (GTC) is a performance-focused athletics group supporting athletes of all ages and levels. Born and bred in Victoria’s Gippsland region—with an extended base in Melbourne and a global partnership with Very Nice Track Club in Ann Arbor, Michigan—GTC has built a seamless pathway from complete beginners to competitors on the global stage.

GTC offers a wide range of training opportunities tailored to every stage of the athlete journey. Group sessions run weekly across Melbourne, Warragul, Sale, and Maffra, with programs focusing on sprints, middle and long distance. Athletes can access private coaching, virtual coaching, and join specialised squads including our High School Development Squad, Youth “Track Cubs” program, and GTC Elite. From school competitions to state, national, and international levels, GTC provides the structure, expertise, and support to help athletes thrive. Our running analysis service ensures every athlete is building their form on a strong biomechanical foundation. In addition to track and distance athletes, we also support athletes from elite sports such as AFL, soccer, hockey, netball, and surf lifesaving, helping them improve speed, movement efficiency, and injury resilience.

GTC is on a mission to elevate running in Gippsland — and to prove that elite performance can come from anywhere. With proud grassroots beginnings and a strong, team-driven culture, Gippsland Track Club has grown into a hub for athletes chasing big goals. We've helped athletes rise from local tracks to the international stage, representing Australia and competing at the US collegiate level. As we continue to evolve, the launch of GTC Elite has attracted talent from across the country and abroad, creating a unique environment where community spirit fuels world-class ambition.

CONTACT GTC

Warragul

Sale

Maffra

Melbourne -Tan TC

TEAM

Driven. Experienced.

Coach
Craig Huffer

Gippsland’s first and only sub-4-minute miler, an Australian representative in the 1500m and 4x400m at the World Junior Championships, and a national 1500m open bronze medalist.

A product of the Macalister Valley hills, Craig rose through the ranks with state records and national junior titles. Going on to train for over a decade with many of the World's best at the Very Nice Track Club in Ann Arbor, Michigan under legendary coach Ron Warhurst. Clocking personal bests of 1:47 (800m), 3:36 (1500m), 3:57 (mile), and a 3:53 for 4th place at the prestigious 2012 Fifth Avenue Mile. He also a VIS scholarship holder and competed for Adams State University—the most successful collegiate running program in the U.S.

With graduate studies in High Performance Sport and Exercise Science, and a Bachelor’s in Sport Management, Craig blends academic insight with elite experience. He’s coached Victorian Champions, national junior medalists, and Olympic Trials qualifiers. In 2024, he returned to help the Very Nice Track Club as an assistant coach in the lead up to the U.S. Olympic Trials. That squad included Paris-bound stars Bryce Hoppel (4th - 800m Olympic Final) and Hobbs Kessler (5th - 1500m Olympic Final).

JOIN GTC

GTC HISTORY

RECORDS

MEN'S | WOMENS

100m
Finn Staple 11.32 (2024) | Kaydence Fleming 12.66 (2024)

200m
Finn Staple 22.88 (2021) | Nikki Kube 25.63 (2012)

400m
Finn Staple 49.11 (2022) | Antje Kempff 57.13 (2022)

800m
Craig Huffer 1:47.73 (2012) | Rachel O'Brien 2:08.51 (2024)

1000m
Craig Huffer 2:23.40 (2008) | Rachel O'Brien 2:55.43 (2024)

1500m
Craig Huffer 3:36.35 (2010) | Rachel O'Brien 4:23.03 (2024)

Mile
Craig Huffer 3:57.81i (2013) | Ella Tierney 5:04.51 (2024)

Road Mile
Craig Huffer 3:57.1h (2019) |

3000m
Craig Huffer 7:54.47 (2022) | Natasha Gurtler 9:45.32 (2023)

5000m
Craig Huffer 14:14 (2018) | Cass Mesta 17:29 (2018)
3000m Walk
| Matilda Read 13:58.83 (2025)
Lake Guthridge/Guyatt 3.25km
Craig Huffer 9:07 (2022) | Zali Metcalfe 11:11 (2025)
Tan 3.827km
Craig Huffer 11:03 (2024) | Natasha Gurtler 13:34 (2025)

Screen Shot 2021-08-28 at 10.27.57 pm.png

AUSTRALIAN REPRESENTATIVES

Craig Huffer

('08 World Junior Championships 1500m, 4x400m)

('09 Penn Relays USA Vs The World DMR)

AUSTRALIAN T&F OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP PARTICIPANTS

(Best Ever Finish)

x6 Craig Huffer 800m/1500m/3000m ('09 - 1500m 3rd)
x2 Rachel O'Brien 800m/1500m ('24 - 1500m 15th)

x1 Dean Huffer 1500m ('08 1500m 27th)

AUSTRALIAN OPEN & JUNIOR, YOUTH, SCHOOLS CHAMPIONS

Dean Huffer (3000m - '01 U/16 Aus Youth)

Craig Huffer (800m - '05 U17 All Schools, '06 U18 All Schools)

Mia Ross (800m)

James Denton (400m - '23 U/15 All Schools, '24 U/16 Aus Youth)
Oscar Woodhouse (XC - '25 U/15 All Schools, '24 U/16 Aus Youth)

US COLLEGIATE TRACK/XC

Dean Huffer (Adams State)

Craig Huffer (Adams State)

Cassandra Hallam (Oklahoma Christian)

Jacquie Hallam (Oklahoma Christian)

Rachel O'Brien (Adams State, New Mexico State)

Sam Dunnett (Purdue - Fort Wayne)

We train. We race.

East Vs West go head to head on the track in the Battle of Gippsland

GTC HISTORY

RECORDS

MEN'S | WOMENS

100m
Finn Staple 11.32 (2024) | Kaydence Fleming 12.66 (2024)

200m
Finn Staple 22.88 (2021) | Nikki Kube 25.63 (2012)

400m
Finn Staple 49.11 (2022) | Antje Kempff 57.13 (2022)

800m
Craig Huffer 1:47.73 (2012) | Rachel O'Brien 2:08.51 (2024)

1000m
Craig Huffer 2:23.40 (2008) | Rachel O'Brien 2:55.43 (2024)

1500m
Craig Huffer 3:36.35 (2010) | Rachel O'Brien 4:23.03 (2024)

Mile
Craig Huffer 3:57.81i (2013) | Ella Tierney 5:04.51 (2024)

Road Mile
Craig Huffer 3:57.1h (2019) |

3000m
Craig Huffer 7:54.47 (2022) | Natasha Gurtler 9:45.32 (2023)

5000m
Craig Huffer 14:14 (2018) | Cass Mesta 17:29 (2018)
3000m Walk
| Matilda Read 13:58.83 (2025)
Lake Guthridge/Guyatt 3.25km
Craig Huffer 9:07 (2022) | Zali Metcalfe 11:11 (2025)
Tan 3.827km
Craig Huffer 11:03 (2024) | Natasha Gurtler 13:34 (2025)

STORE

We run Gippsland

Gippsland TC XC Tee 3.0

$50.00

GTC record tonight for Elly Fleming at the Knox Classic, clocking 2:55.30 in the 1000m to kick off her season. Elly breaks Rachel O’Brien’s previous record of 2:55.43, set at the Box Hill Burn in 2024.

Our Development/Youth squad athletes hit the track fast at the Victorian All Schools these past two weekends. Go GTC!!

🥇 GOLD (3)

Kaydence Fleming

U17 400m (Final) – 1st, 57.50 PB NQ #4 GTC All-Time

James Denton

U17 400m (Final) – 1st, 49.50 PB NQ #2 GTC All-Time (First Sub 50)

Matilda Read

U16 3000m Walk (Final) – 1st, 14:25.73 NQ

🥈 SILVER (3)

Lily Marazzato

U20 400m (Final) – 2nd, 63.06

Maddy Boyd

U20 800m (Final) – 2nd, 2:22.54

Oscar Woodhouse

U15 800m (Final) – 2nd, 9:12.06 PB NQ #8 GTC All-Time

🥉 BRONZE (4)

James Denton

U17 200m (Final) – 3rd, 22.63 PB GTC Record

Lily Marazzato

U20 800m (Final) – 3rd, 2:35.28

Maddy Boyd

U20 1500m (Final) – 3rd, 4:56.27 PB

Oscar Woodhouse

U15 1500m (Timed Final) – 3rd, 4:12.03 PB

🏅 TOP 8 FINISHERS (24 total)

Amelie Saldanha

U17 3000m (Final) – 5th, 10:31.72 PB #8 GTC All-Time, NQ

U17 1500m (Final) – 7th, 4:54.37 PB

Rhylee Stewart

U18 3000m (Final) – 4th, 8:52.51 PB #6 GTC All-Time

U18 1500m (Final) – 6th, 4:03.63

Kaydence Fleming

U17 200m (Final) – 4th, 25.39 (6.9)

Darcy Knowles

U20 400m (Final) – 4th, 67.67

Claudia Tierney

U17 800m (Final) – 7th, 2:32.33

Georgie Lindsay

U16 800m (Final) – 6th, 2:28.15

U16 1500m (Final) – 11th, 5:04.05

Eshana Cheema

U14 100m (Final) – 6th, 13.23 PB

U14 200m (Final) – 7th, 27.01

Otto Voshege

U15 800m (Final) – 6th, 2:10.08 (Prelim PB 2:08.74)

Sapphire Pratt

U15 800m (Final) – 8th, 2:34.36 (Heats PB 2:28.90)

Yuki Braybrook

U14 800m (Final) – 8th, 2:26.07 PB

Elodie Teheenepee

U14 1500m (Final) – 12th, 4:58.48 PB

Isabella Vitale

U16 400m (Preliminaries) – PB 63.91

U16 100m – 13.61 PB

U16 200m – 28.39

Mark Ballantine

U14 800m (Heats) – 6th (2:19.02)

U14 1500m – 27th (4:50.92)

Lachlan Rosato

U16 400m (Final) – 5th (51.74)

U16 200m (Prelim)– 24.14

Sam O’Brien

U17 800m (Timed Final) – 12th (2:08.33)

U17 1500m (Timed Final) – 18th (4:22.22 PB)

Chris Clough

U18 800m (Preliminaries) – 12th (2:01.15 PB #14 GTC All-Time)

Sidney Box

U15 1500m – 17th (4:32.72 PB)

Victor Sangalang

U15 200m – 11th (24.79)

U15 400m – 55.86

Amina Egobi

U14 100m (Preliminaries) – 13.90 PB

U14 400m (Preliminaries) – 68.19 PB

GTC 200m Record. Jimmy D is back!
James Denton has broken his first GTC record with a time of 22.63 (-0.9 m/s) to claim the bronze medal in the U17 Victorian All Schools 200m. His run eclipsed Finn Staples’ previous record of 22.67, set in 2022.

Just last week, James cracked the sub-50 barrier for the first time to take out the U17 Victorian All Schools 400m title. A two-time underage national 400m champion, he’s making a strong comeback after an injury-interrupted season last year.

Blue Pools. Just another day in Gippy.

The GTC crew hit Freestone Creek Road for an out-and-back long run after a successful opening week of racing at the Box Hill Twilight & Maffra Mile.. all capped off with a well-earned dip in the Blue Pools.

It’s back! We officially have a date locked in - Sunday 7th December!

Entries now open for the 2025 GTC Gippsland Championship & Gift also featuring the Battle of Gippsland ‘East Vs West’

Entries are open online at trackclub.fit/gippslandchampionship

BOX HILL TWILIGHT

The opener for many 🕸️. Bring on the rest of the season.

800m
B Race – Female
Claudia Tierney – 2:26.29
Mia Calleja – 2:31.72
Emily Kanavan – 2:35.48
Lilijah Deveson – 2:39.76
Bridget Southward – 2:45.10 (PB)
Charlotte Cunningham – 2:46.42

C Race – Male
Chris Clough – 2:04.60 (PB) – #18 GTC All-Time

B Race – Male
Jake Tucker – 2:00.22 (PB) – #13 GTC All-Time
Sam O’Brien – 2:04.79 (PB) – #19 GTC All-Time

A Race – Female
Amelie Saldanha – 2:24.25 (PB)

⸻

3000m
A Race – Female
Zali Metcalfe – 10:28.07

B Race – Male
James Leahy – 8:49.83

C Race – Male
Andrew Crawford – 9:52.64 (PB)

RACE DAY: BOX HILL TWILIGHT

Track is back. GTC Elite's Zali Metcafe and James Leahy are set to take to the track tonight to open up their 2025-26 season. Muster Up! Go Gippsland!

Full GTC Schedule:
800m -
6:30pm B Race Female
Bridget Southward
Charlotte Cunningham
Claudia Tierney
Emily Kanavan
Lilijah Deveson
Mia Calleja

6:35pm C Race Male
Chris Clough

6:40pm B Race Male
Gus Tritton
Jake Tucker
Sam O'Brien

6:45pm A Race Female
Amelie Saldanha

3000m
7:57pm A Race Female
Zali Metcalfe

8:11pm B Race Male
James Leahy

8:25pm C Race Male
Andrew Crawford

History, written fast.
Now ready for the 2025-26 chapter.
Muster up. Go Gippsland.

The GTC Elite Squad have locked in their goals and now it’s time to muster up.
Bring on the 2025–26 domestic season!

Here’s a sneak peek at where you’ll catch the team in action this summer.

This marks the first season Gippsland Track Club will feature a dedicated Elite Team, adding to our existing Open, Development, and Youth squad programs.
GTC Elite is a select dedicated group of athletes competing nationally and internationally at an open level and believe in GTC. Go Gippsland!

GTC took on the nation’s best at the Australian Cross Country Championships in Ballarat.

Gippsland Track Club athletes proudly donned the teal and delivered some outstanding performances across both individual and relay events, highlighted by Oscar Woodhouse’s historic victory in the U15 Boys race, becoming GTC’s first national cross country champion.

An unforgettable weekend for the Teal Army in Ballarat, marking another step forward for the club on the national stage.

We thank everyone for your support for GTC.

Individual Results

U13 Girls: Elodie Tehennepe – 11th

U14 Girls: Yuki Braybrook – 42nd

U15 Boys: Oscar Woodhouse – 1st 🥇(Best national XC result in GTC history)

U16 Girls: Georgie Lindsay – 34th*

U17 Girls: Grace Graafsma – 47th

U17 Girls: Amelie Saldanha – 49th*

U20 Girls: Maddy Boyd – 37th*

Australian Mixed Relay Championships

U14: Eli Spargo, Elodie Tehennepe, Mark Ballantine, Indi O’Brien – 17th

U16: Oscar Woodhouse, Georgie Lindsay, Thomas Kanavan, Yuki Braybrook – 14th

U18: Rhylee Stewart, Grace Graafsma, Riley Nicholas, Claudia Tierney – 22nd

U20: Charles Leahy, Maddy Boyd, James Leahy, Ella Tierney – 7th

Oscar Woodhouse is your 2025 U15 Australian Cross Country Champion

A historic day for GTC at the 2025 Australian Cross Country Championships in Ballarat, with Oscar Woodhouse becoming the first GTC athlete to claim a National Cross Country title.

Australian XC Championships 2025

Gippsland is set to take on Australia in Ballarat at the 2025 Australian Cross Country Championships.

Seven Gippsland Track Club athletes will line up in the individual races, while four GTC relay teams will hit the national stage on Sunday in the Australian Mixed Cross Country Relay Championship.

Saturday 23rd August – Australian XC Championships
10:25am – U13 Girls: Elodie Tehennepe
11:15am – U14 Girls: Yuki Braybrook
2:35pm – U15 Boys: Oscar Woodhouse
2:50pm – U16 Girls: Georgie Lindsay
3:20pm – U17 Girls: Grace Graafsma
3:20pm – U17 Girls: Amelie Saldanha
4:30pm – U20 Girls: Maddy Boyd

Sunday 24th August – GTC Teams: Australian Mixed Relay Championships
12:10pm – U14: Eli Spargo, Elodie Tehennepe, Mark Ballantine, Indi O’Brien

1:00pm – U16: Oscar Woodhouse, Georgie Lindsay, Thomas Kanavan, Yuki Braybrook

1:00pm – U18: Rhylee Stewart, Grace Graafsma, Riley Nicholas, Claudia Tierney

1:50pm – U20: Charles Leahy, Maddy Boyd, James Leahy, Amelie Saldanha

Muster up!! Gippsland is ready to take on Australia once again at the Australian Cross Country Championships on August 23-24 in Ballarat.

Congratulations to the following athletes who will compete for GTC in the Australian Cross Country Relay Championships.

UNDER 14
Eli Spargo*
Elodie Tehennepe*
Mark Ballantine
Indi O'Brien

UNDER 16
Oscar Woodhouse
Georgie Lindsay
Thomas Kanavan
Yuki Braybrook

UNDER 18
Rhylee Stewart
Grace Graafsma
Riley Nicholas*
Claudia Tierney

UNDER 20
Charles Leahy
Maddy Boyd
James Leahy
Amelie Saldanha
*National level Debut

In the inaugural event last year in Tasmania, our U14 team (Sidney Box, Yuki Braybrook, Oscar Woodhouse and Indiana O’Brien) finished 9th overall in the Australian Mixed XC Relay Championship.

...Gippy kids in North America...!!!

30 days
40,300 km
2 x countries
6 x states
1 x GTC record
Trained alongside Olympians, NCAA champions, and World Indoor representatives
6 x races
What a 'Very Nice' adventure!!!

Enormous gratitude to Ron Warhurst and our American brother club, the @VeryNiceTrackClub family - whose unmatched generosity, knowledge, and spirit create a truly inspiring environment. They’ve given our Gippsland Track Club athletes not just a platform to train, learn, and grow at the highest level - but a pathway to believe that the unimaginable is right there, training alongside them. The lessons, attitudes, and inspiration we’ve experienced flow directly into our club’s ethos back home... shaping not just how we train, but who we’re becoming! ✌

Record breaking trip to Chi-Town for @zoomingwithzali on the 2025 GTC North American campaign.

Gippsland Track Club x @verynicetrackclub

The team has touched down in the USA and just wrapped up an incredible week of training alongside our North American brother/sister squad – the Very Nice Track Club.

We're extremely grateful to VNTC head coach Ron Warhurst and his world-class team for welcoming our athletes and guiding them through their strides in a truly elite and professional environment.

Ron’s legacy is unmatched - former head coach at the University of Michigan for over 30 years, mentor to Olympic medalists like Nick Willis, Brian Diemer, Olympic Finalist Hobbs Kessler, Tim Broe, Bryce Hoppel, as well as multiple Boston Marathon champions, and GTC’s very own Craig Huffer.

This past week has been a masterclass in excellence, and we’re excited to carry the energy, lessons, and momentum forward into the next chapter of their running journeys and beyond.

@zoomingwithzali in Chi-Town.
Gippsland Track Club Women's 5000m Record - 17:25.62

GTC 5000m Record – Zali Metcalfe Shines in North American Debut

Zali Metcalfe has broken new ground in her first race on North American soil, setting a new Gippsland Track Club record with a time of 17:25.62 at the Tracksmith 5000 Twilight meet in Chicago.

Her performance surpasses the previous GTC record of 17:29.0h, set by Cassandra Hallam back in 2018.

Zali now heads to Canada, where she’ll compete in three races on the Canadian National Tour - with stops in Windsor, Guelph and London.

A golden Saturday arvo at Olympic Park for a few of the GTC elite squad members. The talented Leahy bros are starting to step up their base training, while @zoomingwithzali gets her last session in before she jets off to the US for her North America campaign

A Saturday Melbourne ‘Michigan’ was calling. 🇦🇺🇺🇸

With six weeks to go until the Victorian XC Champs, Rhylee and Natasha are deep in prep mode. Meanwhile, the countdown is on — less than four weeks until Ella Tierney, Zali Metcalfe, and Ollie Bradshaw team up with GTC's brother club, the @verynicetrackclub , in Ann Arbor, Michigan, training under the legendary Ron Warhurst - the mastermind behind the iconic Michigan workout.

The Bulldog. Welcome to Gippsland.

Rolling hills, dirt roads, and a Sunday long run with Andrew Crawford, Oliver Bradshaw, James Leahy and Charles Leahy — through the heartland where Gippsland Track Club was born.

GTC RECORD
Zali Metcalfe has set a new women's benchmark at the 2025 Lake Attack, setting a new record of 11:11 around the Lake Guthridge/Guyatt 3.25km loop!

She breaks the long-standing mark of 11:22 set by Jess Mayne in 2015 on the former 3.12km course.

The West have made history at the 2025 Lake Attack, claiming their first-ever win at the Lake Attack and levelling the all-time Battle of Gippsland score 3–3. With a final score of 67–44, the West not only celebrated a dominant team performance but also retained the Wings, continuing their momentum in this regional battle.

Congratulations to Zali Metcalfe (West), who won the women’s division while setting a new course record around Lake Guthridge/Guyatt in 11:11. In the men’s race, Rhylee Stewart (West) surged to victory with an impressive time of 10:07.

To complete the clean sweep for the West, Beau Stewart (West), ran two minutes faster than his 2022 personal best performance to claim the handicap race.

Record Breaking Day for GTC at Run The Tan.

New club record from Natasha Gurtler, running 13:34 to place 3rd overall at the @run_the_tan - Battle of the Schools. Natasha took 4 seconds off Debbie Husodo’s five year old mark and adds it to her 3000m GTC record of 9:45.32.

A strong day for GTC with Zali Metcalfe winning the open public section and moving to #4 all-time, and Georgie Lindsay smashing her PB by 50 seconds to climb to #13 overall.

…And that’s a wrap from Perth and the 2024/25 domestic season.
A huge thank you to everyone for your ongoing support for our athletes. Go Gippsland!

Full GTC Results from the 2025 Australian Championships:

U20
Ella Tierney
800m – 24th Overall (8th in Heat) – 2:14.53 PB
🔢 #3 on GTC All-Time Rankings
1500m – 24th Overall (13th in Heat) – 4:35.50 PB
🔢 #3 on GTC All-Time Rankings

U18
Natasha Gurtler
3000m Final – 11th Place – 10:25.99

U17
James Denton
400m – 10th Overall (Heat 1 – 4th) – 50.91 SB

Emily Kanavan
800m – 19th Overall (Heat 2 – 7th) – 2:21.66

U16 Girls
Matilda Read
🥈 3000m Walk – 2nd Place – 13:58.83 PB
📈 New GTC Club Record!

Annabella Denton
200m – 17th Overall – 25.68 (Wind-Assisted)
400m – Heats: 58.23 (Heat 2 – 3rd)
Final – 59.01 (8th Overall)
🔁 4x400m Relay (U18) – Representing Team Victoria
4th Place – 56.7h split by Annabella

U16 Boys
Lachlan Rosato
400m – 20th Overall (Heat 2 – 5th) – 53.36

U15 Boys
Oscar Woodhouse
🥉 3000m Final – 3rd Place – 9:16.64 PB
🔢 #9 on GTC All-Time Rankings

Victor ‘Eric’ Sangalang
400m – 16th Overall (Heat 1 – 4th) – 55.45 PB
🔢 #12 on GTC All-Time Rankings

Ella Tierney capped off her debut at the Australian Championships with another impressive performance in a tactical U20 1500m race, clocking a 3-second personal best. Finishing 24th overall, she crossed the line in 4:35.50, a huge improvement from her season-opening PB of 4:50.

This result places Ella 3rd on the Gippsland Track Club All-Time 1500 list and marks a fantastic end to a breakthrough domestic season, which also saw her set the GTC Mile Record. She’ll now shift her focus to a North American campaign in June.

Another 800m PB for Ella Tierney - 2:14.53 in her first ever Australian Championship on the track! This ranks Ella 4th on GTC All-Time 800m rankings.

Ella ran a smart, tactical race to finish 24th overall in the U20 800m Australian Championship. With that time, she's also qualified for the 2026 Australian Open Championships (pending any qualifying time changes).

Just 12 months ago, Ella joined GTC with an 800m PB of 2:21.79 - she’s now slashed over 7 seconds off that mark.
Next up for Ella is the U20 1500m heats this Saturday at 5:25.

The last day of competition for our u13-u18 athletes, with Matilda Read headlining the day’s action by claiming silver in the Women’s U16 3000m Walk, setting a new GTC record in the process!

Full GTC Results – Day 5:
Women’s U16 3000m Walk
🥈 Matilda Read – 2nd – 13:58.83 (GTC Record)

Women’s U18 3000m Final
11th – Natasha Gurtler – 10:25.99

Women’s U18 4x400m Relay (Team Victoria – featuring Annabella Denton)
4th Place – 56.7h split by Annabella

Men’s U16 4x200m Relay (Team Victoria – featuring Lachlan Rosato)
1st Place

21-Second PB ⏱ | GTC Record 🥇 | First Time Under 14 Minutes 🚀 | National Silver Medal 🥈

Matilda Read delivered a standout performance at this year’s Australian Championships, going toe-to-toe with National Champion Sophie Polkinghorne to claim the silver medal.

Her time of 13:58.83 is a 21-second personal best, well ahead of her previous mark of 14:20.28 set at the Victorian Championship earlier this season. It's also a new Gippsland Track Club record and her first time breaking the 14-minute barrier.

Oscar Woodhouse and Annabella Denton shine on Day 4 of the 2025 Australian Championships.

Oscar secured bronze in the U15 3000m, recording a time of 9:16.64 - an impressive 11-second personal best and his first national medal on the track.

In the U16 200m, Annabella placed 17th with a wind-aided time of 25.68, earning qualification for next year’s championship in the 200m. This result was a big improvement on her 21st place finish in the 2024 Championship, where she ran a time of 27.25.

🥉 11-second PB. #9 3000m GTC All-Time. National Bronze Medalist.
A smart and composed race from Oscar Woodhouse earns him bronze in the Australian U15 3000m with an 11sec Personal Best of 9:16.64 in Perth!
Oscar adds to his growing national medal collection after taking silver at the Australian Cross Country Championships back in August.

Season Best for James Denton to place 10th in the Australian u17 400m Championship.

Annabella Denton takes 8th place in the U16 400m on Day 2 of the 2025 Australian Championships. Pushing through a challenging lead-in, Bella adds another national final to her resume. Bella now sets her sights on recovering up to be ready for the 200m, beginning on Day 4 of the Championships.

GTC kick starts their championship campaign. Congratulations to Emily Kanavan (u17 800m) & Victor 'Eric' Sangalang (u15 400m) on making their Victorian debuts.

Day 1 results:
400m U15M - Victor ‘Eric’ Sangalang 16th (Heat 1 - 4th) 55.45 PB #12 GTC All-Time
400m U16F - Annabella Denton Qualified 6th fastest for the Final (Heat 2 - 3rd) 58.23
400m U16M Lachlan Rosato 20th (Heat 2 - 5th) 53.36
800m U17F Emily Kanavan 19th (Heat 2 - 7th) 2:21.66

It's Championship Week! The pinnacle event of the Australian season begins on Friday. A total of nine Gippsland Track Club athletes will take on Australia out West!

All the action will be on 7Plus.

(AEST)
U15 - Oscar Woodhouse
3000m - Final: Mon 7th 12:15pm

U15 - Victor Eric Sangalang
400m - Heats: Fri 4th 6:30pm | *Final: Sat 5th 3:10pm

U16 - Matilda Read
3000m Race Walk - Final: Tue 8th 1:40pm

U16 - Annabella Denton
200m - Heats: Mon 7th 6:05pm | *Final: Tue 8th 5:30pm
400m - Heats: Fri 4th 6:45pm | *Final: Sat 5th 3:25pm

U16- Lachlan Rosato
400m - Heats: Fri 4th 7:15pm | *Final: Sat 5th 3:15pm

U17 - James Denton
400m - Heats: Sun 6th 12:30pm | *Final: Mon 7th 3:20pm

U17 - Emily Kanavan
800m - Heats: Fri 4th 3:15pm | *Final: Sat 5th 4:50pm

U18 - Natasha Gurtler
3000m - Final: Tue 8th 12:10pm

U20 - Ella Tierney
800m - Heats: Thu 10th 7:30pm | *Final: Fri 11th 9.22pm
1500m - Heats: Sat 12th 5:25pm | *Final: Sun 13th 12:30pm

*qualification

Fighting the wind and smashing PBs - Lakeside threw everything at us to close out the 2024-25 Victorian Track Season!

Athletes: 10 | SB: 6 | PB: 4

Female OP
400m: Cassie Farley 60.91 SB; Antje Kempff 61.00 SB; Lily Marazzato 61.72 PB; Isabella Vitale 64.59 PB; Bridget Southward 65.98 PB; Charlotte Cunningham 67.64 PB

Male OP
400m: James Denton 51.35; Lachlan Rosato 53.34; Andrew Crawford 59.09; Kobe Hiskins 66.93;

Athletes: 10 | PB: 4 | SB: 5
Bring on Nationals...

Female Open
800m: Maddy Boyd 2:20.22; Anna Mulquiny 2:41.55 SB
1500m: Natasha Gurtler 4:44.32; Ella Tierney 4:53.36; Grace Graafsma 4:53.57;
3000m: Zali Metcalfe 10:13.31;

Male Open
800m: Rhylee Stewart 1:59.14 PB #6 GTC All-Time; Oscar Woodhouse 2:06.18 PB #18 GTC All-Time;
1500m: Oliver Bradshaw 4:04.40 PB #7 GTC All-Time; Andrew Crawford 4:38.72PB;

Entries are open for the 2025 GTC Lake Attack - enter at www.trackclub.fit/lakeattack

Who will win this year's battle of Gippsland?

The East are the champions of the last edition of the GTC Lake Attack, but the West currently hold the wings after winning the 2024 Gippsland Track Challenge.

GTC Speed & Power on show at High Velocity #5

Female OP
100m: Antje Kempff 13.47 (-0.0) PB #9 GTC All-Time; Lylah Hiskins 13.61 (-1.3); Isabella Vitale 13.71 (-0.0) PB* #10 GTC All-Time; Evie Jones 13.98 (-0.0); Darcy Knowles 15.45 (-1.1);
400m: Clare Wong 59.53; Antje Kempff 61.14 SB; Cassie Farley 62.04; Lily Marazzato 62.98; Emily Kanavan 63.42; Ella Tierney 63.82; Yuki Braybrook 64.81; Evie Jones 65.00; Isabella Vitale 65.02 PB; Aleasha Read 65.48 SB; Darcy Knowles 67.11; Charlotte Cunningham 68.34; Bridget Southward 68.85 PB
Male OP
400m: James Denton 51.32; Rhylee Stewart 54.54; Andrew Crawford 58.00; Kobe Hiskins 65.29;

Personal Bests & Season Bests rolling in at the business end of the season.

Athletes 27 | PB 8 | SB 15

Female Open
800m: Ella Tierney 2:15.18 PB #4 GTC All-Time NQ; Clare Wong 2:16.96; Maddy Boyd 2:17.73 PB #8 GTC All-Time; Emily Kanavan 2:19.73 PB NQ #10 GTC All-Time; Annabella Denton 2:24.74; Lily Marazzato 2:25.44 PB; Cassie Farley 2:27.02; Claudia Tierney 2:28.05; Yuki Braybrook 2:28.60 PB; Aleasha Read 2:32.16 SB; Darcy Knowles 2:32.98 SB; Charlotte Cunningham 2:37.61 SB; Anna Mulquiny 2:43.18 SB; Laura Coleman 2:55.76 SB; Alira Braybrook 2:58.46 PB
1500m: Zali Metcalfe 4:43.77 PB #8 All-Time; Grace Graafsma 4:43.78 SB NQ; Natasha Gurtler 4:47.81
Male Open
800m: Charles Leahy 1:54.68; Oliver Bradshaw 1:59.21; Rhylee Stewart 2:03.49; Isaac Frost 2:12.52 PB; Andrew Crawford 2:14.34; Thomas Kanavan 2:16.32; Glenn Crawford 2:33.58 PB
1500m: Oscar Woodhouse 4:16.80 PB #10 GTC All-Time NQ; Mark Ballantine 4:56.31 SB

HIGH VELOCITY CLUB
100m: Antje Kempff 13.65 SB; Evie Jones 13.99;
200m: Antje Kempff 27.50 (2.7); Evie Jones 28.69 (2.7);
400m: Elly Fleming 58.81 SB; Cassie Farley 61.10 SB; Lily Marazzato 62.27 PB; Claudia Tierney 65.35;

BOX HILL BURN
Female Heat C 1000m: 1st Grace Graafsma 3:07.35 SB; 2nd Claudia Tierney 3:09.35 PB #5 GTC All-Time
Male Heat E 1000m: Oscar Woodhouse 2:47.48 PB #3 All-Time
Male E Heat 5000m: James Leahy 16:49.63

Gippsland Track Club records as at 3.3.2025

Kaydence Fleming has reset her own Gippsland Track Club 200m record, running 25.34 in the heats of the Victorian Open Championships. Making her open debut, the 15-year-old finished 9th overall in the semi finals, narrowly missing the final by just one place.

Gippsland Vs Victoria. Bring on Australia in April!

Female Open
200m: Kaydence Fleming 26.06 (9th) (-1.1) (S); 25.34 PB GTC Record(1.9) (P);
800m: Elly Fleming 2:14.37 (7th) SB; 2:16.90 (P); Ella Tierney 2:18.15 (P); Clare Wong 2:21.33 (P); Maddy Boyd 2:21.87 (P);

Male Open
800m: Oliver Bradshaw 2:01.13 (32nd) (P);

Male 20
800m: 7th Oliver Bradshaw 1:57.85 PB #6 GTC All-Time; 8th Charles Leahy 2:03.23

Female 20
400m: 9th Lily Marazzato 61.93 (P) PB; 14th Darcy Knowles 67.31 (P);

800m: 6th Elly Fleming 2:16.19; 7th Clare Wong 2:22.38; 12th Maddy Boyd 2:23.06 (P); 15th Lily Marazzato 2:31.20 (P); 17th Darcy Knowles 2:39.58 (P);

Female 18
800m: 6th Mia Calleja 2:26.79;
1500m: 3rd Natasha Gurtler 4:48.49
3000m: 3rd Natasha Gurtler 10:53.19 (3rd);

Male 18
1500m: 12th Rhylee Stewart 4:08.08;

Female 17
200m: 4th Kaydence Fleming 26.19 (-0.5); 26.35 (2.4) (P);
400m: 1st Kaydence Fleming 59.12; 61.42 (P);
800m: 5th Emily Kanavan 2:24.42; 7th Claudia Tierney 2:27.53
1500m: 12th Georgie Lindsay 5:12.99

Male 17
800m: 12th Isaac Frost 2:16.78 (P);
1500m: 19th Isaac Frost 4:42.48 PB;

Female 16
200m: Isabella Vitale 27.93 (15th) (-0.1) (P) PB #10 GTC All-Time; Annabella Denton 26.08 (-1.7) (4th);
400m: Annabella Denton 57.90 (4th)
3000m Walk: Matilda Read 14:20.28 (1st) PB, NQ, GTC Record;

Male 16
400m: Lachlan Rosato 52.58 (4th) PB #7 GTC All-Time; 52.84 (P) PB; 
Female 15
400m: Evie Jones 66.72 (6th) PB;

Male 15
100m: Victor eric Sangalang 12.30 (0.2) (8th) (P) PB;
400m: Victor eric Sangalang 56.84 (8th) (P) PB ;
800m: Thomas Kanavan 2:22.33 (7th);
1500m: Oscar Woodhouse 4:18.16 (3rd) PB;
3000m: Oscar Woodhouse 9:27.59 (2nd) PB;
 
Female 14
100m: Lylah Hiskins 13.06 (-0.7) (4th); 13.06 (-1.0) (P); Eshana Cheema 13.49 (-0.7) (7th); 13.21 (0.5) (P);
200m: Lylah Hiskins 27.53 (-1.8) (5th); 27.02 (-0.5) (P); Eshana Cheema 27.86 (-0.5) (P);
400m: Yuki Braybrook 64.39 (7th); 65.76 (P) PB;
800m: Yuki Braybrook 2:28.35 (9th) PB;

Male 13
800m: Kobe Hiskins 2:24.66 (6th);
1500m: Kobe Hiskins 4:51.30 (8th);

Male 55-59
800m: 2nd Gordon Knight 2:26.30

Gippsland vs Victoria – The Battle Continues.
Our GTC open athletes hit the track this weekend at the Victorian Championships, alongside our rising youth stars. Stay tuned as they take on the state’s best!

It was a windy week 1 to kick off the 2025 Victorian Championships. GTC will be back in action next weekend, as our Open and u13-u16 athlete take to the track.

U17-U20 & Masters Results -
Athletes: 16 | Gold: 1 | Silver: 1 | Bronze: 2 | Top 8: 12

Female 20

400m: 9th Lily Marazzato 61.93 (P) PB; 14th Darcy Knowles 67.31 (P);

800m: 6th Elly Fleming 2:16.19; 7th Clare Wong 2:22.38; 12th Maddy Boyd 2:23.06 (P); 15th Lily Marazzato 2:31.20 (P); 17th Darcy Knowles 2:39.58 (P);

Female 18
800m: 6th Mia Calleja 2:26.79;
1500m: 3rd Natasha Gurtler 4:48.49
3000m: 3rd Natasha Gurtler 10:53.19 (3rd);

Female 17
200m: 4th Kaydence Fleming 26.19 (-0.5); 26.35 (2.4) (P);
400m: 1st Kaydence Fleming 59.12; 61.42 (P);
800m: 5th Emily Kanavan 2:24.42; 7th Claudia Tierney 2:27.53
1500m: 12th Georgie Lindsay 5:12.99

Male 20
800m: 7th Oliver Bradshaw 1:57.85 PB #6 GTC All-Time; 8th Charles Leahy 2:03.23

Male 18
1500m: 12th Rhylee Stewart 4:08.08;

Male 17
800m: 12th Isaac Frost 2:16.78 (P);
1500m: 19th Isaac Frost 4:42.48 PB;

Male 55-59
800m: 2nd Gordon Knight 2:26.30

📸 @ss__athletics / Joanna Margiolis / Blair Jackson / Richard Nicholson

.pro-gallery-wix-wrapper {display: block !important;} .pro-gallery-wix-wrapper .gallery-item-container {opacity: 1 !important; display: block !important;}

@gippslandtc

INSTAGRAM | @GIPPSLANDTRACKCLUB

EMAIL | gippslandtrackclub@gmail.com

GIPPSLAND TRACK CLUB

ABOUT | TRAINING | TEAM | HISTORY | EVENTS | STORE | JOIN GTC

MUSTER UP

TRAIN WITH GTC

GTC TRAINING

TEAM

GTC HISTORY

GTC HISTORY

STORE

Gippsland TC XC Tee 3.0

​

Run With Us