Batt-Doyle makes it four wins in three weeks from SA runners
Published Wed 03 Nov 2021
Tokyo Olympian Isobel Batt-Doyle won the Asics Noosa Bolt on Saturday to continue SA’s good run of form in interstate road races.
Image: Andrew Stalling
“I was very happy to get the win in Noosa,” Batt-Doyle said.
“It is always tough to come back to racing after a little bit of time away, and also coming off a major competition like the Olympics, so I was happy with how I executed the race.
“It (Noosa) was a really fun event to be a part of, despite the brutal hot and humid Queensland conditions right in the middle of the day.”
Participants completed four laps of a loop route, which included two tight turns on either end.
“It was a slow pace and we started really bunched up,” Batt-Doyle said.
“I ran the first 4km really relaxed and in the group and I found some momentum and the lead on the second to last lap and kicked home in the last lap.
“My average pace went from 3:15p/km, to a 2:54 last km so all the work was done in the last 800m.”
Batt-Doyle said this was an important win for her return to racing from the Olympic Games.
“The week before, in Burnie (first competitive race since her Olympic 5000m), I maybe wasn’t completely ready to race and I didn’t feel a spark when the race got tough,” she said.
“It was great that Caitlin (Hills Athletics Club) ran a strong race, a PB, so I was stoked for her (winning the Burnie 10).
“This win (Noosa) means a lot, as I know that my preparation is going in the right direction and I am feeling fit.
“I needed the down time after the Olympic Games and quarantine, but I’m back into it now and am more fired up than ever to fulfil my goals this season.”
With Jess Stenson taking out the Perth Marathon on October 17, Isaac Heyne and Adams securing the Burnie 10 titles on October 24 and Batt-Doyle winning the Asics Noosa Bolt last weekend, she (Batt-Doyle) said SA running was in a great place.
“Running in this State has been in an upward trend for the last couple of years,” she said.
“We have been very competitive and it is awesome to see SA runners achieving great things at National level.
“Jess’ effort was inspiration, I have trained a lot with her and to see what she has been through over the past couple of years (having a baby and overcoming injury), I am so happy to see that she got a good result.”
Batt-Doyle said her next major focus was January’s Zatopek race and making the teams for events such as next year’s Commonwealth Games and World Athletics Championships.
Image: Korupt Vision