XC2 - Race Report

Published Mon 06 Jul 2020

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

Batt-Doyle and Potter win in two classic finishes

Athletics SA put on another true cross-country event at Victoria Park. Our athletes didn’t disappoint with good numbers and two cracking finishes in the main 8k events.

In the men’s race, the absence of Clarke and Heyne was made up by the return of Riley Cocks. Adrian Potter (AH) and Riley Cocks (FLN) were the pre-race favourites for the four laps of the twisty 2k loop.

A number of the younger runners in the 6k event tried to match the early pace set by Potter. After weaving through the juniors Riley and Jacob Cocks (FLN) had joined Adrian. After taking the lead around 3.5k Riley increased the pace through the start finish line on the second lap as Adrian and Riley drew away from Jacob now a clear third. Riley lead all the way until a kilometre to go before Adrian put a couple metres into him on a slight downhill to which Riley responded. Riley shadowed Adrian closely as he slowed up with 800m to go. With 500m to go just after crossing the bridge the two were levelled up before Adrian started his run for home. With about 300m to go Adrian got a couple metres on Cocks and held it through to the line for a strong win. Flinders (41) extended their lead over Adelaide Harriers (32) in the men’s premiership with 4 finishers in the top 7.

From the start of the women’s 8k it was Caitlin Adam (HILLS), Jess Stenson (HILLS) and Isobel Batt-Doyle (FLN) who quickly formed a pack of three at the front – much like their training sessions! Caitlin and Izzi ran side by side for most of the race, with Jess tucked in behind. On the third lap it was Caitlin out in front and Izzi had found herself tucked in third behind Jess. Over the last lap Izzi moved up onto Caitlin’s shoulder before taking the lead in the technical section around the back. Running strongly down the final stretches, Izzi held off Caitlin by two seconds, with Jess followed eight seconds behind. When asked about her back-to-back it win Izzi noted “While it felt similar to our training environment, it was a great opportunity for us to push ourselves a little more. Our close finish shows the strength that South Australian women can have on a national level!”. Hills Districts women’s squad are dominating the winter premiership so far, but it has been Isobel Batt-Doyle (FLN) out in front.

In the Men’s 6k race it was two of SA’s talented U/18s, Adam Goddard (Saints) and Harry Whitford (UC) who raced up a distance beating their older counterparts. Dante Afnan (AH) was too strong for Dylan Krenczeck (Hills) in the U/20 section. Not to be outdone by many of the younger athletes Jordan Harvey (FLN), another smooth mover, showed age isn’t a barrier taking 5^th place and winning the O/35s. Colin Ambrose (FLN) once again smashed his O/50 opponents to give Flinders first place in both older age-groups, but it wasn’t enough to bridge the gap in the O/35 & O/50 Premiership with Adelaide Harriers (66) staying just head of Flinders (64).

It was an Adelaide Harriers one-two in the Women’s 6k event with Ciara Foster (AH) (O/35) an impressive winner with Elizabeth Stavreski (AH) holding off the younger (U/20) track specialist Rosa Twyford (WA). Felicity Alexander (Hills) again won the O/50s section.

Adelaide Harriers dominated the U/18 age-group and look set to take out the U18 & U/20 Premiership. The extra distance suited Cael Mulholland (AH) as he won comfortably from teammate Cooper Giles (AH). Torben Roberts (FLN) ran strongly taking third but won the U/16 easily. Daniel King (Southerns) took out the U/14 2k.

In the shorter Women’s races Mikaela Jones (MTB) and Grace Deacon (FLN) were the standout athletes in the U/16 4k, beating Caitlin Slobedman (Hills) who won the U/18s. Three U/14 females are battling it out in this year’s cross country. Tessa Ebert (PA) just managed to beat Makaila McLeod (Saints) with Asha Lawson (FLN) third.

The next Round of the Winter Premiership is the State 10k & 5k Road Championships on July 18, also held at Victoria Park. Entry is open Monday afternoon! Visit the Winter Hub for more info.