Zatopek:10 Preview

Lakeside Stadium at Melbourne’s Albert Park will tonight host the 58th edition of Zatopek:10. This annual highlight of the Australian athletics calendar will feature the Australian 10,000m Championships and the Victorian State Championships.

The women’s 10,000m presents a competitive field, with a number of big names set to make it anyone’s race.

The impressive credentials of our two internationals make them clear favourites, and hopefully ensures a fast pace will be set. 

Japan’s Hitomi Niiya has a 10,000m PB of 30:56 and comes to Zatopek in top form, with a recent season best of 15.24 in the 5,000m. 

New Zealand’s Camille Buscomb has had a supremely solid year of racing, and will no doubt be looking to better her 10,000m PB of 31:45 if conditions allow.

A favourite to take out the Australian title is two time Olympian Jess Trengove (SA), who claimed a bronze medal at this years Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in the marathon event. She followed this a few months later by bettering her PB at the Toronto Marathon in October.

Emily Brichacek (ACT), 4th in last years Zatopek 10,000m, is coming into this years event in peak form. In October, Brichacek collected her second Burnie Ten title, getting the better of Commonwealth Games medalist Lisa Weightman and recent City2Surf winner Ellie Pashley.

A close 5th behind Emily at last years Zatopek was Sinead Diver (VIC), who’s standout year since saw her set a 10km PB on the road at Launceston in June, as well as take out the Melbourne Marathon in a race record time of 2 hours 25 mins in October.

Other contenders not to discount:

Marnie Ponton - 7th in last years 10,000m Zatopek

Ellie Pashley - this year’s City2Surf winner

Tara Palm - has had a strong 2018 of racing after years blighted by injury

The clear standout in the men’s event is the King of King Island, 23 year old Stewart McSweyn. His breakout year started at the 2017 Zatopek, where he upstaged Patrick Tiernan to capture the National title. He followed this with a brilliant 12 months of running, highlighted by a spot in the Diamond League 5000m final in Brussel’s where he produced a PB. Based off this form, McSweyn will no doubt be going for both the win and the record at tonights Championships. 

Jack Rayner (VIC) has had an equally impressive year, with a string of wins to his name. Not only did he take out the Launceston 10km and Australian Road Running Championships, but he showed his strength over the longer distances with gold at the Gold Coast Half Marathon as well as the inaugural Commonwealth Half Marathon Championships in Cardiff. 

Jordan Gusman is another starter to keep your eyes on, with 2018 seeing him produce some solid 10km performances on the road, including a win at the Gold Coast 10km in June and a silver at the Sydney Harbour 10km in July.

Also competitive will be Harry Summers, clocking an impressive 29min 23 seconds at the Melbourne Marathon 10km, and Brad Milosevic, who produced a 29min 24 second performance the Hobart Run the Bridge 10km 

Tickets will be available at the door. Live results will be available via www.athsvic.org.au/liveresults as will all coverage be LIVE and FREE on Fox Sports, AA Facebook & AA YouTube. foxsports.com.au/live