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Flame sizzles despite the drizzle
In adverse conditions this morning, dual Olympic medallist and Australian Flame Jared Tallent posted a new personal best time of 3:38.56 to secure himself the Australian 50km Road Walk Championship at Melbourne’s Fawkner Park.
In an unrivalled effort, Tallent secured his gold medal just 3 days after completing an arduous altitude training regime at the A.I.S.
“I didn’t expect the time so quickly after such intense strength and base training at the altitude camp,” he said.
“We haven’t really been working on speed recently so to start the summer with a personal best time gives me a lot of confidence.”
“I’m looking for a medal at the next year’s IAAF Road Walk Championships in Mexico and today’s result is the ideal start to what will be a tough training schedule between now and then.”
Victorian Tom Barnes finished second. In a time just shy of his personal best (4:12.05), Barnes’ performance comes on the back of competing at the World University Games in Belgrade earlier this year.
Rounding out the top three was Duane Cousins. Cousins, both an Olympian and World Championships representative completed the water covered course in 4:14.58.
In the men’s 20km Road Walk, Ian Rayson was the first to cross the finish line in a time of 1:29.50.
Rayson, whom travelled to Melbourne from his base at the N.S.W.I.S, was followed by the Brendan Reading (second – 1:30.42) and Derek Mulhearn (third – 1:39.16)
Jessica Rothwell led the way in the women’s 20km Road Walk completing the course in a time of 1:34.22.
Rothwell looked confident in her stride for the entire race saying she couldn’t be happier at this stage of the year.
“Mexico for the IAAF World Race Walk Championships is what I’m preparing for at the moment so to start like this in tough conditions is great”
“Speed training hasn’t really commenced yet so I’m really happy with my time and feel confident heading into some pretty big events.”
Rothwell’s Australian Flame team mate from Clare Tallent was second to cross the line in a time of 1:37.47 capping off a successful morning for the Tallent family
Tallent was followed by Victorian Kelly Ruddick whom finished third in 1:46.49.
In the final event of the morning Victorians Beth Alexander and Rydian Cowley took victory in the invitational men’s and women’s 10000m Junior Road Walk events in times of 50:34 and 45:09 respectively.
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