Tara Palm, of Mt Gambier, was the first woman across the line in the 500-plus field which battled windy, wintry conditions around Lake Wendouree.

Her time of 51 minutes, 42 seconds had her more than three minutes ahead of Traralgon's Kathryn Ewels, 55:00.

However, with Palm competing on invitation she was ineli

gible for the state title.

This went to Ewels ahead of Kristy McCarthy from Knox. The bronze went to Tarli Bird, of Glenhuntly.

Palm, 23, represented Australia in this year's world cross country championships in Jordan, although she said she preferred competing on the track.

The 28-year-old Ewels was stunned by her success.

She said orienteering was her number one sport and she had run for the fitness.

Her upcoming goals in orienteering are the World Games in Taiwan and world championships in Hungary, and World Mountain Running Championships in Italy.