Adams Eyes Top Prize | On Track Nights Zatopek:10
Published Wed 22 Nov 2023
The difference between 10km and 25 laps is often just a mindset, but it’s one that Caitlin Adams is hoping to master ahead of On Track Nights Zatopek:10. A dual Australian representative in 2023, Adams’ sixth attempt at the race is shaping up as her best chance yet to turn the tide in an Olympic year.
Adams is well aware that the numbers don’t quite stack up. The South Australian’s personal bests of 32:27 for 10km (road) and 33:18.25 for 10,000m (track) defy the laws of running, but her consistency and competitiveness on the tarmac provide enough reassurance to persist with the tartan.
“It is a bit of a funny one, I joke about it and have people who do the same with me because the discrepancy is pretty large. I’m always pretty confident on the road that I can run sub-33 and be at the front of the pack, pushing the pace and mixing with some of our top athletes,” Adams said.
“On the track, it hasn’t really gone my way. Years go by and I get stronger and fitter, I’m a better athlete but I only run 5-10 seconds quicker. This year I’m determined to not have one of those results at Zatopek, I’ve had a lot of experience overseas and I’m hoping that translates.”
Finishing 28th at the World Cross Country Championships in February and 12th at the World Road Running Championships in October, most would assume that Adams has little left to prove in the calendar year, but the 26-year-old remains hungry to break the shackles over 25 laps at Lakeside Stadium.
“What would really be the icing on the cake is a good result at Zatopek, hopefully to medal and challenge for the win. I don’t want to be that person that just runs well in cross country and on the road, I want it to translate to the track as well,” Adams said.
“It’s not anyone’s in particular to win, the race is there for someone to step up and take the title and the medals. I’m really excited because I have been competitive with the girls in the past and I really want to do my best to cover moves, make moves and get a strong result.”
With the Chemist Warehouse Australian 10,000m Championships set to be the feature event of On Track Nights Zatopek:10 on December 2, Adams will draw on fond memories from the series after clocking a 5000m personal best of 15:24.97 at the Vienna instalment in June.
“The last couple of years I hadn’t really progressed in the 5km and I was getting a bit disheartened with it. To have that race and know that I can do it, it was really great for me. There is more in the tank and that’s exciting when there is an Australian team on the line,” Adams said.
“Everyone knows that it’s hard to make an Olympic team, we have so much depth on the women’s side. I don’t want to put any barriers on myself and I want to run well at Nationals to put my hat in the ring. It’s always amazing and inspiring going into an Olympic year, everyone is at their best.”
Taking on a field headlined by the fourth and fifth fastest Australians in history in the form of Olympic duo Rose Davies and Ellie Pashley, along with World Championships representatives Lauren Ryan and Cara Feain-Ryan, Adams is predicting a tactical affair at the often blustery venue.
“It’s a lot more mental and we really only get one chance per year to run a solid 10km track race, which happens to be when it counts for an Australian title. There’s obviously a lot of pressure and it can often be tactical,” Adams said.
Adams enters in strong form under the guidance of coach Adam Didyk after claiming the top prize at the Noosa Bolt 5km and second place at the Burnie 10km in the past month, now counting down the days until she can harness the energy of the blockbuster track event:
“There was so much loudness in Vienna, it sort of distracted you and made the laps go by quicker. From a spectator point of view, it will be really exciting – there will be something for everyone.”
Tickets to On Track Nights Zatopek:10 on Saturday December 2 can be purchased HERE.
By Lachlan Moorhouse, Athletics Australia
Posted: 22/11/2023
