Davies and Robinson take out prestigious Zatopek:10 titles

The Australian Summer of Athletics is now underway, with the first event of the season, the ever-prestigious Zatopek:10 taking place in Box Hill overnight. 

Traditionally held in December, the Zatopek:10 features the Australian 10,000m National Championship races, and the 60th edition of the event did not disappoint, with both up-and-comers and veterans of the sport rising to the occasion. 

Women’s 10,000m 

A real star on the rise, Novocastrian Rose Davies (Scott Westcott) etched her name into the history books as the 2020 Australian Women’s 10,000m national champion, with a remarkable 31:39.97 - which included a 65 second last lap.

With the renowned world class athletes of Genevieve Gregson (Nic Bideau), Sinead Diver (Nic Bideau), Andrea Seccafein (Nic Bideau) and Ellie Pashley (Julian Spence) in the field, many would have been forgiven for overlooking the 21-year-old. But it’s a mistake that will only be made once.

Not only did Davies smash her personal best for the second time in two months, her performance moved her from 50th to 7th on the Australian all-time list for 10,000m, and it was the 5th fastest time for a female competing at Zatopek.

Elated with her result, Davies said:

“I knew I was in good form so I’m just happy I had such a good opportunity to run fast.

“It slowed a little bit in the second half which allowed me to gather myself and get ready for a kick. We’ve been doing sprints every week so I’ll have to put it down to that.” 

15 seconds over the Olympic qualifying standard, Davies declared that whilst her Olympic aspirations initially were in the 5000m, the 10,000m is now in the forefront of her mind. 

Whilst the lead group fell significantly off the intended pace to meet the Olympic standard of 31:25, all major players were still active through the six kilometre mark before the moves started to come. 

One of those moves came from Isobel Batt-Doyle (Maurica Powell) , who finished behind Davies in a time of 31:43.26 and was one of surprises of the night, with the South Australian prominent throughout all 25 laps and being rewarded with a significant personal best. 

Seccafein (31:45.95)  finished in third place, with Gregson (32:06.32) taking home bronze in the national championships due to Seccafein’s Canadian allegiance. 

Men’s 10,000m

Seven years after winning his first Zatopek:10 Rio Olympian Brett Robinson (Nic BIdeau) was crowned the Australian Men’s 10,000m national champion for 2020 after taking out the title in a time of 28:00.25, ahead of Jack Rayner (Nic Bideau) in second place (28:13.42) and David McNeill (Nic Bideau) in third (28:16.86). 

With the Melbourne Track Club trio the resounding podium favourites leading into the event, they had company in the form of Sam McEntee and Ed Goddard through 5000m in 14:00. 

But a 2:43 split for the sixth kilometre from Robinson soon dismantled the field - opening up a large gap on his teammate Rayner, who had also managed to sneak away from the remainder of the initial lead pack. 

Over the last 10 laps of the 25 lap journey things went unchanged, with Rayner unable to make any inroads into Robinson’s lead. 

“I think I’ve still got times over the 5k and 10k where I can run fast, so I’ll be there so the boys better be ready,” he said. 

“I know those boys I’m racing against are all running well and are going to run well this year so it gives me a lot of confidence.” 

Robinson plans to “get some speed back in the legs” over 5000m before returning to marathon training when there’s clarity regarding events. 

Women’s 1500m

A scorching last lap from Linden Hall in the women’s 1500m saw her take an emphatic victory at Box Hill, narrowly missing the Olympic standard of 4:04.20 when running 4:04.33. 

Hall finished ahead of Jenny Blundell who clocked 4:07.71 and Keely Small (Philo Saunders) was third in 4:07.89. 

“It’s the first run since March over 1500m, it’s on par with what I was able to run in 2019 so to do that in January is an awesome start,” she said. 

“I’m just trying to take advantage of the race opportunities and set them up as best we can, I was so lucky to have Catriona help me out after her 800.” 

Hall has her eyes set on breaking the four minute barrier for 1500m. 

Men’s 1500m

Training partners Jordan Williamsz (Nic Bideau) and Ryan Gregson (Nic Bideau) put on a show over an enthralling final lap in the men’s 1500m, with Queensladn’s Callum Davies in hot pursuit along with Peter Bol. 

With the pacemaker stepping off, it was Williamsz who assumed duties as the pilot in front - a position he would maintain all the way to the finish line. 

Williamsz took home the win in a time of 3:39.59 to edge out Gregson in 3:39.85, and Davies finishing in third place with a big personal best of 3:40.91. 

“I was probably hoping for a little bit faster but I’m a harsh critic,” he said. 

“It was the plan to go to the front after half way and try and run strong, I’m glad I did. It’s always hard to hold off Grego - he’s a beast.” 

“I just have to keep going and build on some races and see how we go.” 

The same event saw an official world record from T12 superstar Jaryd Clifford (Philo Saunders)  - running 3:42.97 to lower his own world record to the delight of the Box Hill crowd. More on this to come. 

Women’s Ondieki 3000m 

The results on paper in the Women’s U20 3000m suggest a dominant win for Abbey Caldwell (Gavin Burren) - but they fail to do the performance justice. 

A compact field in the early stages of the race indicated that the pace was not reflective of the capabilities in the slick lineup, and after passing through halfway in 5:03 Caldwell had seen enough - pouring on the pressure at the front. 

The 19-year-old tore away from the field with a second half split of 4:19 - a time fast enough to meet last year’s world junior qualifying standard (4:20.20) in the 1500m alone. Caldwell crossed the line in a time of 9:22.35 ahead of Sarah Schiffmann in 9:35.27 and Lucinda Rourke in 9:38.67. 

Men’s de Castella 3000m 

The Men’s U20 3000m proved to be a physical contest, with a slow early pace leaving competitors jostling for position in the dense field over the initial laps. The pace forced a tactical race - a scenario that played right into the hands of Adam Spencer (Tim O’Shaughnessy). 

Spencer’s positioning at the front of the pack ensured he stayed out of the wrestling match that was occurring behind him, granting the speed merchant clear space to kick down over the last lap - a familiar position that he very rarely squanders. 

Spencer prevailed in 8:18.30 ahead of New South Wales’ Drew Fry in 8:21.27 and Tasmania’s Sam Clifford in 8:22.54. 

Women’s 800m 

Catriona Bisset (Peter Fortune) thrived in her return to competition when clocking a swift 2:02.75 to kick-start her 2021 campaign. 

With the pacemaker peeling off after 500m, Bisset was left to flex her strength out in front with Brittany Kaan in hot pursuit. Rounding the top bend it was Bisset who found an extra gear, pulling away from the valiant Kaan who finished in 2:04.13. 

Gigi Maccagnini (Peter Fortune) rounded out the podium in a time of 2:06.64, with the young gun building a consistent season. 

“I want to run a PB this season, working on my weaknesses and putting it all together,” Bisset said. 

“It’s just so wonderful to be out here again after last year, I’m just so grateful.” 

Bisset will aim to break the Australian women’s 1000m record in March to raise money for mental health. 

The next Australian titles on offer are the Australian 20km Race Walking Championships, which will be held on February 14.

By Lachlan Moorhouse
Posted: 27/1/2021