Home » News and Media » News » 2010 » January » Birmingham, Willis lead world cross country charge
17.01.2010
Returning to competitive athletics after time away from the race circuit in 2009, Willis crossed the line of the women’s 8km course in 26:56 to shore up her reputation as the nation’s best female cross country runner.
Lining up alongside one of the strongest women’s cross country fields ever assembled in Australia, Willis edged out fellow Victorian Nikki Chapple (27:00), three-time world cross country representative Lara Tamsett (27:26), 2008 world cross country teams bronze medallist Anna Thompson (27:55) and rising star Tamara Carvolth (28:05) to take line honours.
The 30-year-old Victorian and seven-time world cross country representative said she now hoped to spearhead the senior women’s team to a podium finish at the world meet on Sunday March 28, in Bydgoszcz, Poland.
“It’s a great start to the year and adds value to me putting 2009 behind me and looking ahead to a stronger 2010,” Willis said.
“I enjoyed a fantastic training program at Falls Creek (Vic) this summer and I’m as fit as I can be so I came here today to run well, hopefully win and cement my standing as Australia’s best cross country runner.
“Today’s results show the current strength in Australian women’s running and it’s great to know that we will field a strong team at the world cross country championships that is in serious contention for a medal.”
Birmingham’s victory over the 12km senior men’s course in a time of 36:50 continues his current showing as the best middle distance runner in Australia.
Entering the race after securing the national 10,000m championship at the Zatopek:10 in
Melbourne in December and on the back of a gruelling altitude camp at Falls Creek later the same month, Birmingham looks as strong as ever heading into the 2010 Australian Athletics Tour.
“It was great to get back out there and compete today after Falls Creek and locking away a ticket to Poland is unreal,” the 25-year-old Victorian said.
“I’m planning to head back up to Falls Creek in February before competing in Hobart, Sydney and Melbourne then it’s over to Poland before coming back to compete at the Commonwealth Games selection trials.
“It will be a big few months but my focus at the moment and again when I return to Falls Creek for training is to get stronger and the results will hopefully follow.”
Fellow Victorian Clint Perrett secured second in the senior men’s event (36:57) ahead of Duer Yoa (37:00), three-time world cross country representative Liam Adams (37:04) and 2009 world half marathon representative Jeff Hunt (37:08).
After just missing selection for the 2009 edition of the world cross country titles, Kevin Batt took victory in the men’s Under 20 event in a time of 25:18. He was followed across the line by New South Welshman David Ricketts (25:32), with national Under 18 cross country champion Ethan Heywood (25:37) in third.
Winning the women’s Under 20 event in a time of 21:22, Demi Wood asserted her current dominance over the junior women’s field, finishing ahead of last year’s winner Grace Thek (21:54) and Tessa Craig (22:08).
Athletics Australia National Distance Coordinator Tim O’Shaughnessy said today’s action showed the strength of the team bound for Poland in March.
“This morning’s performances are testament to the building strength in Australian running,” he said.
“Collis’ performance was once again outstanding and Duer Yoa coming in third shows the strength of our young competitors too.
“It was great to see Benita win after a tough 2009 ,with her performance even more impressive given the strength of today’s field.”
An official selection announcement of the 2010 world cross country team is expected this week.
For a complete list of results from today’s trials, click here
With thanks to Athletics Victoria, video highlights of the World Cross Country Trials can be viewed by clicking here.
Image courtesy The Runner's Tribe
News
Birmingham, Willis lead world cross country charge
National 10,000m record-holder Collis Birmingham and 2004 world cross country champion Benita Willis have kicked off their 2010 campaigns in style, taking victory in the open men’s and women’s fields at the world cross country trials at Melbourne’s Brimbank Park this morning.Returning to competitive athletics after time away from the race circuit in 2009, Willis crossed the line of the women’s 8km course in 26:56 to shore up her reputation as the nation’s best female cross country runner.
Lining up alongside one of the strongest women’s cross country fields ever assembled in Australia, Willis edged out fellow Victorian Nikki Chapple (27:00), three-time world cross country representative Lara Tamsett (27:26), 2008 world cross country teams bronze medallist Anna Thompson (27:55) and rising star Tamara Carvolth (28:05) to take line honours.
The 30-year-old Victorian and seven-time world cross country representative said she now hoped to spearhead the senior women’s team to a podium finish at the world meet on Sunday March 28, in Bydgoszcz, Poland.
“It’s a great start to the year and adds value to me putting 2009 behind me and looking ahead to a stronger 2010,” Willis said.
“I enjoyed a fantastic training program at Falls Creek (Vic) this summer and I’m as fit as I can be so I came here today to run well, hopefully win and cement my standing as Australia’s best cross country runner.
“Today’s results show the current strength in Australian women’s running and it’s great to know that we will field a strong team at the world cross country championships that is in serious contention for a medal.”
Birmingham’s victory over the 12km senior men’s course in a time of 36:50 continues his current showing as the best middle distance runner in Australia.
Entering the race after securing the national 10,000m championship at the Zatopek:10 in
Melbourne in December and on the back of a gruelling altitude camp at Falls Creek later the same month, Birmingham looks as strong as ever heading into the 2010 Australian Athletics Tour.
“It was great to get back out there and compete today after Falls Creek and locking away a ticket to Poland is unreal,” the 25-year-old Victorian said.
“I’m planning to head back up to Falls Creek in February before competing in Hobart, Sydney and Melbourne then it’s over to Poland before coming back to compete at the Commonwealth Games selection trials.
“It will be a big few months but my focus at the moment and again when I return to Falls Creek for training is to get stronger and the results will hopefully follow.”
Fellow Victorian Clint Perrett secured second in the senior men’s event (36:57) ahead of Duer Yoa (37:00), three-time world cross country representative Liam Adams (37:04) and 2009 world half marathon representative Jeff Hunt (37:08).
After just missing selection for the 2009 edition of the world cross country titles, Kevin Batt took victory in the men’s Under 20 event in a time of 25:18. He was followed across the line by New South Welshman David Ricketts (25:32), with national Under 18 cross country champion Ethan Heywood (25:37) in third.
Winning the women’s Under 20 event in a time of 21:22, Demi Wood asserted her current dominance over the junior women’s field, finishing ahead of last year’s winner Grace Thek (21:54) and Tessa Craig (22:08).
Athletics Australia National Distance Coordinator Tim O’Shaughnessy said today’s action showed the strength of the team bound for Poland in March.
“This morning’s performances are testament to the building strength in Australian running,” he said.
“Collis’ performance was once again outstanding and Duer Yoa coming in third shows the strength of our young competitors too.
“It was great to see Benita win after a tough 2009 ,with her performance even more impressive given the strength of today’s field.”
An official selection announcement of the 2010 world cross country team is expected this week.
For a complete list of results from today’s trials, click here
With thanks to Athletics Victoria, video highlights of the World Cross Country Trials can be viewed by clicking here.
Image courtesy The Runner's Tribe
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