Follow Me | Liz Clay Leads Hurdling Charge in Sydney

Olympic semi-finalist Liz Clay is set to spearhead a quality 100m Hurdles race at Saturday’s Sydney Track Classic, where the field of powerful and competitive women will look to draw first blood in 2022 – simultaneously raising the bar of Australian hurdling. 

Whilst being a deserved favourite to win the event, the top-10 finisher in Tokyo is no certainty to cross the line first in a field that features the likes of Celeste Mucci (Darren Clark) and Abbie Taddeo (Penny Gillies) – a credit to the depth of women’s hurdling in Australia. 

“We’ve all been racing each other for years and it’s good that we have all stuck to it through some tough times, everyone has had their injuries and their poor seasons so it’s cool that we are all still going and pushing each other,” Clay said.

“It’s awesome to have such depth in the women’s events to bring some of the attention to us, often it’s on the men’s 100m or other events.” 

Relishing the opportunity to race in front of family and friends in her hometown after relocating to the Gold Coast, Clay speaks with confidence when it comes to Saturday’s battle in Sydney – just one week prior to the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Belgrade where she will contest the 60m hurdles.

“I’m actually so excited for Sydney! I’m looking forward to racing the other girls and having a proper hit-out after blowing the cobwebs out early, I’m in really good shape and I’m keen to see what I can do,” Clay said. 

“Everyone steps up when someone runs well. To have all of us up there around that 13-second mark really benefits everyone. I love racing and I am good at stepping up on the day, so having them there on Saturday will be good for me.”

The comments were echoed by Taddeo and Mucci who both look to be in career-best form already in 2022 with times of 12.99 and 13.02 respectively, ready to throw down the gauntlet to Clay whose season’s best stands at 12.97.  

“I love it. The calibre of us girls is amazing. To have more than one athlete running well it keeps it exciting and you never know who will win,” Taddeo said. 

“It means a lot, as I get to celebrate with many other inspiring women and hope to empower other women to chase dreams and break barriers together.”

The field also features Olympian Michelle Jenneke, Danielle Shaw and rising star Delta Amidzovski – who has already qualified for the World Athletics Under 20 Championships to be held in Colombia later this year.

On International Women’s Day, Clay took time to recognise not only her competitors but so too those in her corner – including her esteemed coach Sharon Hannan. 

“Sharon has taught me so much both on and off the track. She’s like a second mother figure and what she has taught me in terms of life and being patient, trusting the process and those kind of things – she’s unparalleled,” Clay said.

“I’ve got so many successful and powerful friends and family that I have looked up to as women for so long, I’m blessed to have been surrounded by some amazing women.” 

The impact left on Clay from the influential women in her life is something that she is actively trying to emulate through her performances on the track and actions off it, feeling the love since her Tokyo success.

“There were so many young athletes wanting to meet me or get photos, it’s just nice to know that the performances we do can inspire these young kids. I love meeting young girls and they have so many questions, I was the exact same with Sally at their age I think it’s really cool,” Clay said.

By Lachlan Moorhouse, Athletics Australia
Posted: 8/03/2022