Road 10k & 5k - Race Report

Cloudy 14 deg, humidity 88%, wind 16.7km/h from WSW

Athletics SA put on another great road racing championship at Victoria Park. Our athletes and general public were out in force with 226 athletes competing in the two races. Almost all of South Australia’s best athletes were representing their clubs and showcased their athletic credentials in two fast races. Many thanks to all the volunteers for making this event a success. It was nice to have Grenville Wood (Western Athletic Club Life Member) presenting the medals.

The Men’s race was fast from the start and as expected it was a race of attrition with Matthew Clarke (HILLS), Adrian Potter (AH), Isaac Heyne (PEM) and Riley Cocks (FLN) squaring up for the finish, all going under 30 minutes. Adrian wasn’t going to let this race get away and produced a powerful last lap to get away and win his fourth State 10k title. At the start Isaac was setting the pace and along with Matthew, Adrian, Riley, Jacob Cocks (FLN) and Steven McKenna (AH) who broke away early from the rest including Max Stevens (HILLS) on the comeback trail and Lachlan Scott (FLN). Isaac was keen to push the pace but Adrian covered every move. Eventually the pace took its toll with Steve, then Jacob dropping off. In the end it was Adrian who was the strongest on the last lap as he pulled away from Matthew with Isaac close behind, leaving Riley to miss the medals.
 

This was another great race between four talented women. Early on it was Isobel Batt-Doyle (FLN), Jess Stenson (HILLS), Tara Palm (AH) and Caitlin Adam (HILLS) who set the pace. Before the final lap Caitlin had dropped off. Jess pushed hard on the final lap dragging Tara and Izzi along. In the end it was Izzi who managed to kick clear to win from Jess and Tara. Another race of high quality with the first three under 33 minutes and first 4 all recording new personal bests for 10k Road.
 

Many of the prerace favourites lived up to their billing. Dante Afnan (AH) [U20] was too strong for Tom Millard (AH) and Thomas Dowd (AH) winning comfortably. You don’t usually see Bryn Nicholls (AH) [O35] race unless he in shape and he easily won his age division ahead of teammates Samuel Hicks (AH) and Paul Mulholland (AH). Another fantastic performance was Colin Ambrose (FLN) [O50] who broke the SA Masters 50-54 Road 10k all-time best, over shadowing fine performances by Pieter de Wit (AH) and Tony Jarrett (AH). The change of surface suited Harry Whitford (UC) [U18] as he was able to record an impressive win over Adam Goddard (SAINTS) and Cael Mulholland (AH). Jonathan Harris (SAINTS) [U16] was super impressive beating Sam Creighton (PEM) and Deacon Gore (ND).

In the smallest fields of the day Margo Muir (PEM) [U20] was too strong for Lucy Mauviel (PEM). As was expected Caitlin Slobedman (HILLS) [U18] took out the State title from Ella Donnelly (PEM) and Molly Cook (PEM). Tara Palm (AH) [O35] was first across the line in her age-group, but the medals went to Nusha Kerin (UNA), Emma Kraft (HILLS) and Belinda Richardson (AH). Another all Adelaide Harriers podium with Patricia Laird (AH) [O50], Julie Hargreaves (AH) and SA running legend Maureen Moyle (AH) taking out the placings. Big fields and multiple races over different distances can create confusion. That was certainly the case in the women’s U16 5km title. Medals were not awarded correctly, but have now been checked and sorted out with Tiana Cetta (UC) [U16] winning and two emerging young U14 athletes Tessa Ebert (PA) and Asha Lawson (FLN) in second and third.

In para action Timon Sideris [T20] (HILLS) was at his best winning the Open 10k Championship with Tony Scoleri [T46] (HILLS) coming in second. Also is was great to see Madelene McNeil [T13] (FLN) push her limits by completing the 5km.

In the Men’s competitions, Flinders (58) held onto their lead over Adelaide Harriers (50) in the Open men’s premiership. The red army was out in force in the O/35 & O/50 Premiership putting Adelaide Harriers (122) in a commanding position over Flinders (85). The quality of the Adelaide Harriers (91) junior squad was on full display in the U18&U20 premiership, extending their lead over Saints (24) and Flinders (21). Saints (32) moved further ahead of Flinders (21) and Southerns (18) in the U14&U16 competition.

The depth of Hills Districts (67) Open women’s team was evident as they extended their lead over Flinders (31). In the O35&O50 premiership a strong showing by Adelaide Harriers (54) helped them take the lead over Hills Districts (31). Pembroke (18) a building a good lead in the U18&U20 women’s premiership. The U14&U16 age group is the most competitive premiership. This week Flinders (33) have taken the lead over Tea Tree Gully (29), but there are five other clubs scoring good points.
 

Report thanks to Paul Sutcliffe - ASA Statistician