SWEAT NEWS

Successful American tour for Benny and Lara

Ben St Lawrence and Lara Tamsett had a successful American tour in April.

The tour opened with the world famous Carlsbad 5km road race, which features world class opposition. Lara ran a blinder, racing herself into the lead with 800m remaining. She was only just overhauled by an Ethiopian and American in the closing stages. She still managed to finish a strong 3rd in a massive pb of 15.41, good enough for $3000 prizemoney. Benny ran a solid race, although he was tired after a long flight. He came 13th in 14.04.

After 2 weeks training in the Californian mountains at Laguna, Lara and Benny raced at the Mt Sac track meet. Lara came 10th in the 5000m in 15.51, being very tired after her heavy training block. Benny ran an absolute blinder, running a world champs qualifier to come 4th out of 30 quality runners from all over the globe in a big pb of 13.25. He only missed Andrew Lloyd's 19 year old NSW record by 1 second! (Lloydy ran 13.24 to win the Commonwealth Gold in 1990).

One more easier week at Laguna and they then travelled to Berkeley for more track races. Conditions were poor, with a strong wind blowing. Benny ran another pearler to come 2nd in the 5000m in 13.30, defeating all of the top Americans bar one, plus several top internationals, in the process. Lara ran another bottler to come 4th in the 10km in a half minute pb of 32.27. Her battle with a gutsy Mexican was one to behold.

What a tremendous way to cap of a mighty tour for these two fine runners.

They are both looking at competing in Europe in a couple of months.

Many age-group podiums at Striders 2010 opener

Sydney Striders 10km at Homebush, Feb 6

February 6, 2010 marked a successful beginning for many SWEATERS at the Sydney Striders 10km at Homebush.

Results:
Keith Bateman 1st 55-59- 34.37, Dimitri Kontopos 2nd 34-39- 34.55, Wayne Bulloch 2nd 40-44- 36.11, Ewan Horsburgh 37.25, Andrew Cochrane 38.23, Sam Green 38.48, Peter Fahey 38.53, Lauren Harte 2nd female 39.05, Anthony Coburn 39.09, Ian Walsh 3rd 50-54- 39.44, Sian Ellison 3rd female 39.59, Claire Ongley 1st 35-39- 40.51, Stephen Kovaks 41.38, Danielle Langsworth 1st 40-44- 41.52, Mary Stringer 1st 50-54- 42.21, Horriei Lockwood 42.45, Tim Haren 43.38, deane Waldron 44.39, Trevor Tingate 44.53, Ingrid Grace 3rd 50-54- 44.59, Jill Reich 2nd 45-49- 45.31, Lisa Carroli 2nd 40-44- 45.46, Linda Barwick 1st 55-59- 53.21, Clare Holland 53.37, Belinda Lockwood 54.10, April Palmerlee 54.14, Paul Feain 1.02.31, Frank Dearn- 2nd 75-79- 1.07.07

2009 Coast to Kosciuzko

240km ultra marathon

SWEAT ultra runners Wayne Gregory, Horrie Lockwood and Keith Hong all attempted Australia's longest race on December 11 and 12. The Coast to Kosciuzko goes 240km from Eden, on the NSW far south coast, up to Australia's highest point, Mt Kosciuzko. apart form the race being so long, runners have to climb over three mountain ranges. They start at sea level and finish at 2228m above sea level.

Wayne ran his 4th major ultra in 3 months and the effort of his previous races showed. His backside ended up, in his words, "looking like a Japanese flag" due to severe chaffing. He gutsed it out to the finish to record 37 hours 41minutes and 17 seconds to come 13th.

Horrie ran the race of his life to come a commendable 17th in 39.42.38. He judged his pace perfectly and saved his eyeballs out effort for his SWEAT speed sessions, running and walking very methodically for a full day, full night and full day. He got to spank the mammoth at the top of the mountain before the final decent back to Charlotte Pass.

Keith Hong showed awesome courage and willpower and fell so short of completing thsi epic event. He DNFed at the 230km mark, just 1km short of the summit at Rawson's Pass (with only the 9km decent afer that). He was disoriented and as vering down towards treacherous snow drifts, icy crevasses and cliff edges and medicos had to pull him off the trail.

At the summit!

Horrie at the top of Australia

Horrie Lockwood at the summit of Mt Kosciuzko

2009 Zatopek for Ben and Lara

Podium finishes in Commonwealth Games trial

The 2009 Zatopek 10000m track races doubled as the Australian Championships and the trial for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in India.

In the women's race, Lara Tamsett ran a 7 second pb to come a close 3rd (only 1 second behind the winner) in 32.20. Tamsett kicked hard into the lead with 450m remaining, only to be outkicked by winner Eloise Wellings in the final 200m. It was a nail biting finish to a 25 lap race, with Lara being pipped on the line for second by Lisa-Jane Weightman. Tamsett ran her second Commonwealth Games qualifying time over this distance.

In the men's race, Ben St Lawrence finished a close second to Collis Birmingham in 28.05. Like Tamsett, St Lawrence was only 1 second behind the winner. Birmingham and St Lawrence negative split by almost 30 seconds, after a slow start where the pacemaker was injured. they both covered the final 800m in 1.57- world class running!

Todd Wakefield, aged 18, raced the open men at this meet in the 1500m, where he came 11th out of 16 in a pb of 3.48.7; great early season form.

Lauren Parsons, aged 16, came 5th in the u/20 girls 3000m in 9.59 whilst Kristy Colman got back into racing in this event after a hefty HSC schedule, running 10.30.

Blue Dog claims Aussie ultra grand slam

4 majors in one season

Wayne "Blue Dog" Gregory achieved an awesome honour in Aussie ultra running; the mighty Grand Slam. He completed the 4 biggest races on the calendar- The Glasshouse 100 miler (160km), The Great Ocean Walk 100 miler (191km), The Great North Walk 100 miler (178km) and finally The Coast to Kosciuzko (240km) all in the one season.

He actually won the Great Ocean Walk 100 miler over a strong field- a mighty effort.

2009 Australian All Schools track

Parsons and Dwyer shine in Hobart

Lauren Parsons and Liam Dwyer were two of the stars at the national all schools in Hobart in early December.

Parsons came away with a gold (3000m) and silver (1500m) in the u/17 age group. After a slow first half, she produced a savage kick on the final lap of the 3000m to power away with a fine victory in 9.59.75. This backed up her awesome pb which she recorded in November at the NSW 3000m race where she recorded 9.47; a fine time for a 16 year old. She was just pipped down the final straight with tired legs in the 1500m final.

Liam Dwyer went incredibly close to winning gold in the u/17 boys 1500m final. He kicked into a handy lead on the final lap only to be caught in the final few metres to come second only 0.1 seconds behind the winner, recording 4.03.47.

Amity Delaney had a fine meet to record two 11th place finishes in excellent times.

Nathan Derriman gave it everythnig he had in the u/16 boys 2km steeple final, coming 5th in an excellent 6.18. Connor Mulholland gained valuable experience in his first national race coming 17th in the same race.

Rachel Howard ran a courageous 3000m final in the u/17 race, going out hard with the early leaders. She hung on gamely for a 5th place in 10.34.65.

Frank Torok made his debut at the national level on the track in fine style. He just missed out on the bronze medal, finishing just 1 second behing 3rd in a close 4th place running 9.00.98. It was atactical race, with the entire field jogging the first 800m in around 2.40. Frank backed up his swift 8.47 at the NSW champs the previous month.

Connor O'Sullivan proved he is a real talent in the u/14 age group running a fine 2.12 in his 800m heat then an awesome 4.28 in his 1500m final, where he came 6th.

2009 New York Marathon

7 SWEATERS race the big one

Results: (there were over 40 000 runners in this marathon!)

Martin Matthews (52nd) 2.29.15
Liz Miller (1st in 45-49) 2.58
Steve Kovaks- 2.58
Geoff Lucas- 3.05.58
Mark Ferguson- 3.40.48
Marcus Warner
Penny Psaltis- 4.17

Great North Walk Ultras

178km and 100km races

5 SWEATERS completed ultras at the Great North Walk in early November.

Over extremely rough terrain on a most challenging course, the SWEATERS did themselves proud. The course included mountain climbs, endless steep climbs and falls, thousands of steps, countless creek crossings, millions of leeches, rocky and rooty single tracks and very long stages between checkpoints.

In the 100km race, Trevor Tingate made his ultra debut coming in 8th in 16.01. Carol Adams ran a blinder to score a podium finish being 3rd female in 21.03. Carol has really come along in leaps and bounds in 2009.

In the 178km race, Wayne Gregory came a solid 9th in 30.33 whilst Belinda and Horrie Lockwood worked as a team to complete the course in 36.36. Belinda was the 6th female across the line in a very brave effort.

Emery shines at 2009 Great Australia Run

7th place in classy field

Hollie Emery ran in close contact with some of the world's best road racers to come 7th in the 15km Great Australia Run in Melbourne. Emery ran 53.15

2009 California International Marathon

Martin and Coburn shine

Jason Martin made a grand marathon debut to record 2.47.01; an excellent time for a masters runner.

Anthony Coburn ran a solid pb of 3.00.10, missing the 3 hour barrier by a whisker.

Tamsett wins Burnie for third year in a row

fast time in 2009 in tough conditions

Lara Tamsett won Burnie in emphatic style in 32.55, smashing a strong field including Zatopek winner Eloise Wellings and Nicki Chapple. Hollie Emery ran a solid 34.40 to come 4th, also beating Wellings home.

Ben St Lawrence struggled with an injurd calf sustained 2km fom the finish but still managed a close 2nd, whilst Tim Rowe ran well to come 6th.

Palmerlee wins her first ultra in fine style

Pink Skirt flashes to victory in Adelaide 56km

April Palmerlee travelled to Adelaide for the biggest ultra-marathon on the South Australian running calendar. Here is her raec report.


The vibe leading up to the inaugural Yurrebilla Trail Ultra was exuberant. The organisers were very welcoming to interstate runners, and they stirred up a fair bit of local interest as well to be able to start the race with 120 runners.

The Belair section at the start was extremely wet due to the downpours and hail Adelaide had received in the week leading up to the race. We hit a tunnel, which was so low I had to bend over to get through; it was also so dark that I had to keep my hands above my head and out to the side to feel my way through. We then came to a section of downhill switchbacks where I stacked it. But that was good - nice to get dirty early on.

We then hit a sealed road, and soon we were on the gravel. This run had a bit of every kind of surface. I hit the 14km mark at 1:35. I continued along the single track as it wound around the hills, in and out of the valleys, with great views of the city. All along this course, one is never more than 12km from central Adelaide, so beautiful country views vie with urban vistas all day long.

As we moved through the cow paddocks, I passed several runners. A bit more downhill and soon we were heading up to waterfall gully. The 20km aid station had a full morning tea set up, but I just refilled my water bottle, grabbed some watermelon and headed back out. Time on the Garmin at that point was 2:20. All through this, we'd had a bit of sun/a bit of clouds, but just after the aid station, a real downpour started and I worried that the mobile I had in my fuel belt might short out. (It didn't, luckily, but next time I'll put it in a Ziploc baggie just in case.)

We crossed the road and climbed up to the highest point on the race, Mt Lofty. We then had a lovely run down to Hornsnell Gully, the track a bit rough, but gorgeous wildflowers everywhere. We came to a technical bit that snakes down towards the water crossing. There was a lot of water, so I couldn't just leap across, I had to hop from rock to rock -- carefully, because I couldn't see anyone in front or behind me, so I knew if I fell, I'd be down in the rapids before anyone came along. After I made it through and began the climb out of the valley, I turned around and saw there was a rope strung across the water about 5m down to the left -- I should have looked more carefully before throwing myself in willy-nilly.

There were a number of Trailblazer teams in training coming from the opposite direction along this bit, so greeting them entertained me while I made the slow climb towards Woods Hill Road. We levelled out for a while before the trail dropped again to Church Road. We made our way along to the 35km lunch stop. At this point, I was directly behind The Flying Kiwi, who was in the lead. He didn't stop for lunch, so I blew through as well, eschewing the siren call of sizzling sausages and tasty sandwiches for yet another Roctaine gel.

We then headed along towards Morialta cottage and the sound of the water in the creeks along the trail was like nature's soundtrack for the race. It was just gorgeous. Then a fair bit of water at the rock crossing, but I was able to bound across this patch. We climbed up out of the valley for about 2.5km and were rewarded for our efforts by fully outfitted "waiters" serving flat Coke on cocktail trays.

Soon I came to the bell lap, a sweet little boy, ring a cowbell, signalling we had just hit the 50km mark. Only six km to go: three up and three down. Elapsed time: 5:40. I turned the corner and saw "The Hill", which amounted to a reinforced concrete wall that seemed to go straight up. I tried to dig my toes into the holes in the chicken wire as I made my ascent. Slow going here, but I kept pumping my arms the way Blue Dog had shown me in Sydney. Finally I reached the top, ready to blast the last three kms. No such luck though: just past the water tanks I spotted the first downhill, but then the track cruelly kicks up again. The last two km was technical downhill single track to the finish. I was really hoping to be able to make up some time at the finish because my legs were feeling great, but the trail ended abruptly around the corner and all too soon the run was over.

There were some issues with the timing devices and a bit of confusion due to the staggered start times (four groups starting from 6am to 8:30am), but I was eventually announced as the first female at 6:23, setting the ladies' course record, as this was the first time the trail was run as a race.

2009 Ekiden relay in Japan

3 squad members in Aussie team

Coach Williams was Australian team coach for the second year in a row in this world famous international road relay made of of 15 invited nations.

The Australian team, which included Australian 3000m and 5000m record holder Craig Mottram, went well to come 7th. Tim Rowe, Ben St Lawrence and Hollie Emery all did their country proud running fine races in this classic Japanese event.

Report from Timbertop in Victorian Highlands

Star junior Annabelle Green on life at altitude

Hi from Annabelle Green

This year 2009 saw me running the Rocky Mountains around Mt Buller Victoria, near the peak of Mt. Timbertop. I was running around there because since February I have been living in the bush at a school called Timbertop where the main theme of life is hiking, running and skiing in winter of course. Timbertop School is also built on a mountain so even walking around campus is getting you a bit fitter.

To get back to running- our schedule in summer was doing 2 runs with rest days in-between. In winter however we did 3 runs a week because we no longer did the hiking and the weather was far cooler. Periodically we would go on hikes ranging between 1 to 6 days. To top if off I am looking forward to the 28km Timbertop marathon at the end of the year in November, by far the furthest I have ever ran.

Craig Mottram actually went to the same school that runs Timbertop as a special year in Year 9. It is also made it a lot more fun being in a co-ed environment because they run with you and push you that much harder.

Nothing beats a mountain challenge and in 2010 when I am back training with Sean I will always remember my special running time at Timbertop and carry my experiences in my muscle memory.

2009 Sydney Running Festival

Marathon, Half Marathon, 9km and 4km results

Sweaters had a field day in the Sydney Running Festival on September 20. With the spectacular courses for all of the races starting and finishing at the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House, adrenlin was full to overflowing inside 40 000 runners.

There were several Sweaters with podium finishes.

Tim Rowe, after hurling himself into a new strength program, blitzed the field in the 9km to win by a massive half a km in 26.58.

Hollie Emery continued her form as the NSW fun run queen with an emphatic victory in the 9km in a smart 30.57. Laauren Harte continued her rise to elite ranks with a fine 5th in recording 33.38.

Dominica Lucas, aged 11, followed on from her massive 800m record at CIS (2.30), to rock the field to their foundations in the 4km. She won handsomely, being 1st female outright, in a flashy 15.37.

Alex Capelli, aged 14, continued his rapid improvement with a sensational 14.42 to come second in the 4km.

Peter Eason ran a solid final lead-up to the Melbourne Marathon coming 3rd in the half marathon in 1.09.00. Tom Crasti battled an injured calf to come 5th in 1.10.04, whilst evergreen Liz Miller, aged 46, came 4th female in 1.22.25.

RESULTS:
Marathon- Sam Green 3.07.27, Wayne Gregory 3.14.25, Horrie Lockwood 3.36.46, Stuart Brown 3.42.43, Anna Jepson3.50.26, Greg Cassis 4.01.00, Rachael McKinney 4.06.34, Todd Donaghy 4.21.15, Louise Arnott 4.26.06, Carol Adams 4.34.54, Jane Williams 4.35.06
Half Marathon- Peter Eason 3rd 1.09.00, Tom Crasti 5th 1.10.04, Liz Miller 4th female 1.22.25, Brian McManus 1.22.40, Keith Broadfoot 1.25.04, Geoff Lucas 1.25.58, Steve Kovacs 1.27.53, Clare Ongley 1.27.57 (12th female), Deane Waldron 1.29.48, Mary Stringer 1.32.59, Anastasia Columbus 1.33.00, Mary Tuka 1.34.32, Mark Ferguson 1.36.18, Ingrid Grace 1.36.27, David Ashford 1.38.28, Luke Benedictus 1.39.41, Kaisa Pederson 1.44.09, Jill Reich 1.48.26, Tammy Poon 1.52.57, Linda Barwick 1.57.43, Marcus Warner 1.59.02, Greg Puttick 2.06.38, Victoria Brigden 2.26.15, Frank Dearn 2.47.53
9km Bridge Run- males- Tim Rowe 1st 26.58, Frank Torok 6th 29.40, Craig Dunn 13th 31.03, Nathan Derriman 15th 31.20, Adam Paleg 17th 31.48, Glen Derriman 33.08, Warren Williams 33.23, Mark Russell 33.44, Trevor Tingate 34.43, Jordan Williams 35.54, Greg Clugman 42.16; females- Hollie Emery 1st 30.57, Lauren Harte 5th 33.38, Heidi Jones 12th 34.52, Amy Neville 35.26, Julia White 36.29, Sally Lynch 38.22, Arna Graves 38.46, Corinne Mathis 45.16, Rebecca Springett 57.06, Erica Galea 1.03.59
4km- male- Alex Capelli 2nd 14.42, Sam Capelli 23rd 16.59; female- Dominica Lucas 1st 15.37, Georgia Evans 4th 16.29

Overseas results in September 2009

Fast road racing part and parcel of the trip

Harry Summers and Lara Tamsett raced for Australia in the Australia v England v The World 5km road race in London. Tamsett came 4th, whilst Summers 12th in his senior international debut.

Lara Tamsett capped off a solid European campaign with a fine 5th place in the Ashes Athletics Challenge 2mile (3218m) road race. This was a points contest between Australia and England, held in Newcastle, England. Tamsett ran 10.10 over the technical, hilly 2mile circuit which included 4 footbridge crossings. Selma Kajan ran 5.10 in the mile road race at the same event to come 7th.

Martin Matthews backed up his 2.29 pb at London in April with a fine 2.30.29. In temperatures which reached 27 degrees, Matthews ran almost even splits to come 57th out of 40 000 marathoners.

Coming off Ramadan, which finished marathon eve, Mo Alkhub fought hard for his 3.22, just behind Chris Dwyer who battled illness in running 3.21.

Keith Bateman won a 10km road race in France in his lead up to his World Masters Games campaign in Sydney in October.

Presto claims podium finish at World Triathlon champs

Former Roosters forward turns into endurance machine

Mark Preston, long time member of the morning squad in Centennial Park, finished a brilliant 2nd in the 55-59 age bracket. The powerhouse Preston is a former champion Rugby League player who packed in at second row behind the great Artie Beetson for the mighty Roosters in the 70s. Still sporting that 70s moustache, Preston turned many heads in the marque event on the triathlon world stage with his brilliant performance.

Presto has become an expert at belting out 4.00 kms after hard efforts in the water and on the bike, awesome for a 55 year old!

2009 World Triathlon Championships

Gold Coast- September

Greta Truscott represented Australia on the Gold Coast in the 2009 World Champs.

Greta Truscott, one of the famous Truscott running family, made her debut at the international level with an awesome 19th place in the 30-34 age-group. Here is Greta's account of the race:
"I came 19th out of 85 in the 30-34 age group. My age group and the one below had the fastest times. I did 2.17.02 achieving my top 20 and sub 2.18 goals. GBR, Aust, US, NZL, Can, and Russia ahead of me but beat most from these countries and I kept ahead of Fra, Ger, Mex, Jap, Bra, Ire, Sng and Cok. Now I know what I can work on further (mainly long bike rides but also ocean swimming). I was 18th out the water which I was surprised with as the girls looked like domineering swimmers. My transitions were quick. Lost over 20 spots on the bike as I rode mostly on my own being careful not to get penalised for drafting (there was a lot of drafting going on for a non-drafting event and I know one girl that was DQ'd in my age group). I wanted sub 1.10 for the bike which I did. The run I found very tough as I was quite tired by that point as I couldn't afford to lose any time on the swim or bike but still 5th fastest run and wasn't a crash hot run for me either.

Splits including transition changes were 25.12 swim / so it would have been about 24min swim (it seemed longer than 1500m)- I need to work on swimming in a straighter line in the ocean a bit zig zaggy as not like following a black line in the pool. 1.09.25 bike. I clocked 1.08.33 for 40k on my speedo so ave 35k's / hr was happy with. 39.44 10k including part of transition so about 39 flat or low for the 10k."

Glasshouse trail races

Septmeber 2009

4 runners from SWEAT travelled up to Queensland for the Glasshouse Ultra marathons.

In the 100km race around the famous Glasshouse mountains, Bernie Gregory made a stunning ultra debut to be second female home in 15.38.13.

In the class 100mile (160km) race, Wayne (Blue Dog) Gregory came 7th in a pb of 20.48.00. Belinda Lockwood and Horrie Lockwood ran together in what was Belinda's debut 100 miler. They recorded an excellent 29.13.18

Crasti dominates Bathurst race

8km blitz job by Tall Tom

Tom Crasti, who towers over his opposition at 1.95m, ran a great 8km in the Edgell Bathurst Jog to win. Crasti covered the hilly course in 24.01 to take out the $1000 winner's cheque in the most prestigious race on the NSW rural calendar. He took off from the gun and won by a massive margin, eating up the 1mile hill like a sheep devouring lush grass in a Bathurst paddock.

2009 Sydney Trailwalker success

100km trail teams event

Late August saw the running of the 100km Oxfam Trailwaker teams race. 4 runners from each team have to try and finish the trail course together along the renowned Great North Walk.

Sweaters includd Chris Truscott, Wayne Gregory and Ian Walsh, plus former Sweater Tony Fattorini. Well done to Chris, Fats and Ian just for finishing this epic ultra event.

Here is Chris Truscott's account of the race:
After battling nervous anxiety and an achilles injury during the months leading up to Trailwalker, I was pleasantly relieved to finish the 100km trail run (technical at times) feeling good. Previous longest run was 6foot track in 2005 and one of my August training runs with the lads for this event.

Unfortunately we had a stray dog at checkpoint 2 (Berowra). Wayne Gregory (aka Blue Dog) on any given day of the year normally would eat this event up for breakfast but alas was feeling quite ill Trailwalker day and had no energy to continue. Damian, Tony and myself ran down 10 teams to finish 2nd (unofficially - as we did not have four runners) in a time of 13hrs and 41mins which was quite a solid day.

Thanks to our fantastic support crew (Greta, Amanda, Bernie, Naomi and Wayne) and to the guys for an enjoyable day. Recommend it to anyone who has no major shorter events coming up in the months afterwards.

Big August for our runners

medals and podium finishes around the world

It has been a solid month of racing for squad members throughout August.

16 year old Lauren Parsons kicked off August with a 2nd place in the famous Bay Run, a 7km race around Iron Cove Bay in Sydney. Lauren ran a swift 26.15, unbelievable running for a girl her age!

The premier race in Australian distance running, the City to Surf in Sydney, was a highlight. Ben St Lawrence came second in a big pb of 41.07 Harry Summers ran the fastest junior time in City to Surf history in recording 42.35 to come an excellent 7th. Tom Crasti made a big breakthrough to come 9th. Hollie Emery, another junior, came 4th as she moves up the ranks of Aussie distance running.

The national cross country champs were in Nowra yesterday. Medalists from Kids Squad and elite squad were:
Gold: Samantha King- 11 years girls 3km in 10.46
Gold: Morgan McDonald- u/14 boys 3km in 9.45
Gold: Harry Summers- u/20 men 8km in 26.11
Silver: Todd Wakefield- u/20 men 8km in 27.47 (also won gold in Australian 18/19 schools champs)
Silver: Georgia Evans- 10 years girls 2km in 7.40

Two other runners who placed in the sub age group within the race and were recognised for their efforts were Zach Rea and Lauren Parsons. Both came 3rd out of the 16 year olds in the u/18 races and were thus selected in the Australian teams for the World Schools u/18 cross country in Slovakia in 2010. This is the first time both runners will wear the green and gold. Zach has been training with me for 7 years and has watched many runners from the squad over the years attain international honours so I am most pleased that his persistence in training is paying dividends. Lauren has been crook all week and if she was 100% and ran the same time she did on the Nowra course at state she would have run even faster. Well done Zach and Lauren.

Others who represented NSW with honour were Francis Torok (22nd in u/18), Kristy Colman (14th in u/20), Amity Delaney (38th in u/16), Jessie O'Brien (19th in u/20), Fleur Flannery (10th in open women), Rachel Howard (31st in u/18), Nathan Derriman (9th in u/16) and James King (31st in u/16).

Big results in from the last weekend in August were that Hollie Emery and Tom Crasti got into the big money at the major road races of the year in Perth and Brisbane respectively. Hollie won the Perth City to Surf over a hilly 12km in a smart time of 41.50 whilst Tom came 3rd in the Bridge to Brisbane 10km in Brisbane. There were over 45000 competitors in the Brisbane race!

Heidi Jones did brilliantly to come 6th in the Mt Wilson to Bilpin Trail race.

In overseas news, Lara Tamsett has bounced back from an injury to come second in a 7.3km road race in London in 23.15, then she won a 5.1km cross country race in London in 16.20. She has 3 more races in the next 3 weeks before she returns to Sydney.

Selma Kajan has been selected with Lara as part of the Australian senior team to compete in the Ashes Athletics Meet (not cricket thankfully) in 3 weeks. Selma will race in the mile and Lara in the 2 mile.

Harry Summers will be racing on the road in Great Britain for 6 weeks, departing next week.

Sydney Striders 10km on September 25

13 Sweaters get podium finishes

Wayne Bulloch- 35.00 (1st in 40-44), Gary Howard 35.57 (2nd in 35-39), Liz Miller 37.02 (1st female), Keith Broadfoot 37.21, Mark Russell 37.26 (2nd 45-49), Andrew Cochrane 37.34 (3rd 35-39), Alija Kajan 38.01, Lauren Harte 38.42 (3rd female), Wayne Gregory 38.53, Trevor Tingate 39.04 (3rd 45-49), Dean Waldron 41.00, Mary Stringer 41.04 (1st 50-54), Julia White 41.19, Glen Lockwood (42.26), Ingrid Grace 44.19 (1st 45-49), Lisa Carroli 44.55 (1st 40-44), Jill Reich 47.33 (3rd 45-49), Rachel McKinney 48.14 (2nd in 40-44), Belinda Lockwood 49.16, Anna Jepson 49.51, Greg Puttick 52.10, Linda Barwick 52.25, Frank Dearn 1.09.53 (1st 75-79)

Mt Wilson to Bilpin 35km

Classic trail race on August 23

Sweat runners stole the show at one of Australia's most popular trail races.
The finishers were as follows:
Liz Miller 2.39 (2nd female), Andrew Cochrane 2.42, April Palmerlee 3.15, Sherston Sheriden 3.16, Belinda Lockwood 3.26, Carol Adams 4.00

NSW All Schools Cross Country Champs

Medals galore at Eastern Creek

Brilliant results from juniors from the elite squad and Kids squad at this tough meet. 8000 spectators watched over classy 100 runners in each race. Every runner who made this event had to progress through at least 3 lead-up races state wide. This made it the school level sports event with the most depth in Australia- for any sport!

9 Girls- Ellen Kriedman 2nd, Antonia McCristal 16th
9 boys- Sebastian Moir 29th
10 boys- Billy Ryan 35th
10 girls- Georgia Evans 1st, Gabby Mastrioni 7th
11 girls- Sam King 1st, Dominica Lucas 7th, Amy Harding 13th, Lily Harding 43rd
11 boys- Josh Laws 3rd, Finn Merglar 16th
12 girls- Molly Windsor 15th
12 boys- Angus Mullholland 9th
13 boys- Morgan McDonald 1st, Conner O'Sullivan 9th
13 girls- Amity Delany 10th
14 boys- James King 2nd
15 boys- Nathan Derriman 4th, Jordan Williams 37th
16 boys- Zach Rea 2nd, Francis Torok 7th, Liam Dwyer 11th
16 girls- Lauren Parsons 2nd, Rachel Howard 11th
18 boys- Todd Wakefield 1st, Elliot Brown 4th, Nathan Sutherland 8th
18 girls- Jessie O'Brien 2nd, Kristy Colman 3rd

August 1 Sydney Striders 10km race

Top efforts by Sweaters

There were some fine results at this race, especially by Tom Crasti who used it as a final hitout before his top 10 finish at City to Surf.

August 1 @ Lane Cove:
1st- Tom Crasti 31.23, 6th- Keith Bateman 33.25 (1st in 50-54), Geoff Sheargold 37.03, Keith Broadfoot 37.45, Wayne Gregory 38.33 (3rd in 50-54), Trevor Tingate 39.28, Deane Waldron 40.20, Glen Lockwood 42.05, Ingrid Grace 43.51 (1st 45-49), Andy Kirwin 44.24, Rachel McKinney 47.23 (1st in 40-44), Frank Dearn- 1.12.36 (1st in 75-79)

Mini-Mos 10km- June 14

We had several Podium finishers from SWEAT in this prestigious Sydney road race. In the 10km race Hollie Emery won the female battle in 36.20 on the extremely hilly course. Steve Thurston ran a blistering 31.21 to come second overall in the 10km.

Robbie Neil continued his comeback after getting married with an excellent 2nd place in the 5km, whilst Conor O'Sullivan was awesome to come 7th in the same race at age 13!

Dominica Lucas was brilliant to be first girl home in the 2km in a sizzling 6.47.

NSW short course cross country

Upjohn Park

Runners were met with a very technical course at this cross country meet in July.

Youngsters from the Kids squad performed very well in this ideal lead-up to state all schools.

Georgie Evans, at the tender age of 10, was a close 2nd in the u/12 girls 1500m race. She recorded a smart 5.32; very fast on such a course! She comes from good pedigree. Her mum Tania and dad Dave were both top runners. Mum Tania travelled with coach Williams as an 11 year old back in 1979 to the Little As nationals in Perth as an 800m/1500m runner. Dad Dave was an old training partner of Coach Williams who has a pb of 28.12 for 10km (missing the Olympics by 2 seconds) and came 3rd in the City to Surf in 1994.

Finn Merglar came 3rd in the u/12 boys 1500m event in 5.11. Finn is a natural endurance machine who loves his training and has a bright future in the sport.

Kristy Colman pushed Lauren McKillop all the way in the u/20 girls 5km race. It was a real nailbighter, with Lauren running well to take the title by 5 seconds over a gutsy Kristy.

The vets ran well with Fossil Keith Bateman smashing his opposition by about 1km in the 7.5km 50+ race in 25.30 (but unable to beat his coach who was 3rd in the 40+ in 25.11!). Ingrid Grace snatched another medal to come 3rd in the 45+ event over 5km in 22.04.

Sutherland to Surf in July

Emery victorious again!

Hollie Emery added to her successful winter campaign with a win in one of Sydney's biggest races, the Sutherland to Surf. Held in late July, the race had over 5000 participants and Emery ran quite evenly to be first female across the line at Wanda Beach. She recorded a very smart 37.02, passing through 10km in 33.39
Channel 9 reporter Lauren Harte came 7th in 41.00, whilst Carey Lyn was close behind in 8th. Heidi Jones, hot on the comeback trail, was 12th in 42.54. Fifteen year old Coner Mulholland turned more than a few heads with a dashing 40.27 and was one of the first juniors home .

M7 marathon on July 26

McManus breaks 3 hours and Lockwood a sub 4 hour

This marathon course is proving to be ideal for breaking pbs. Brian McManus broke 3 hours for the first time whilst Belinda Lockwood finally smashed through the 4 hour barrier. Horrie, Wayne and Bernie used it as a training run.
Brian McManus 2.57.55 (2nd in 40-44), Wayne Gregory 3.11.44 (3rd in 50-59), Horrie Lockwood 3.23.09, Belinda Lockwood 3.59.30, Bernie Gregory 4.14.25,

LONDON MARATHON

Huge pb for Matthews as he shattters the 2.30 barrier

Online coached runner, Englishman Martin Matthews smashed his pb to run 2.29.30 in the London Marathon in April.
This was over 5 minutes faster than his old pb. It gives Matthews heaps of confidence for his next challenges in the Berlin and New York Marathons and the Comrades ultra-marathon.

Gold Coast a pb festival

4km, 5km, 10km, half marathon and marathon

Many SWEAT members travelled up to the Gold Coast on July 5 to compete in a range of races. An amazing proportion of runners coached by Sean ran pbs at this distance running smorgasbord.
See results below:
4km: Morgan McDonald (age 13) 7th- 13.54 (pb)
5km: Kristy Colman (age 18) 2nd- 18.13 (pb)
10km: Harry Summers (age 19) 2nd- 29.58, Carey Lynn- 38.58
Half Marathon: Tom Crasti 1.08.14 (pb), Keith Bateman 1.12.13 (pb), Craig Dunn 1.14.30 (pb), Gary Howard 1.15.30 (pb), Mo Alkhub 1.23.50, Trevor Tingate 1.25.15 (pb), Kate Coburn 1.25.45 (pb), Emma Grubb 1.30.40 (pb), Naomi Griffen 1.31.39, Jason Smit 1.32.26 (pb), Horrie Lockwood 1.34.19, Penny Shalders 2.15.00 (pb)
Marathon: Peter Eason 2.33.00 (pb), Malcolm Thompson 2.55.30 (pb), Steve Kovaks 2.59.47 (pb), Simon Griffen 3.01.16 (pb), Ian Walsh 3.04.10 (pb), Ben Scarf 3.28.02 (pb), Rachael Honeywood 3.38.27 (pb), Dipak Jilka 3.49.33 (pb), Gordan McVicar 3.58.13 (pb), Belinda Lockwood 4.04.57 (pb)

Gold Galore at Nowra

NSW cross country champs in June at Nowra

It was a highly successful cross country meet for SWEAT runners at Nowra in June, 2009.

The testing, hilly course on Rod Gibb's farm was turned into mincemeat by our highly conditioned endurance machines.

Morgan McDonald was a convincing winner of the u/14 boys 3km race in 10.01. With more consistent training, McDonald is capable of unbelievable things in distance running. Biding his time at such a tender age is the right thing to do and Morgan is sure to make the spotlight in the big time in 5-10 years if he sticks at it.

Nathan Derriman made a big breakthough in the u/16 boys 4km event, where he came second in 14.01. Nathan has really lifted his game at training lately as he is learning what it takes to become a champion distance runner.

Downhill specialist Zach Rea ripped the field apart in the u/18 boys 6km race, winning gold in a snazzy time of 19.44. Rea has been close to staying with the big boys at training lately. Don't be surprised to see him taking on the best juniors in the country very soon.

Pocket Rocket Hollie Emery, also known as Judge Hollie, went extremely close to snatching gold in the prestigious open women's 8km race. She led eventual winner Mel Vernon until only 300m to go, with winning margins of up to 50m at some points. A very gutsy race from the Judge and a sign of awesome things to come for this little dynamo.

Ingrid Grace has found her form again after her amazing race at the Paris Marathon in April. Ingrid came a strong 3rd in the 45-49 age group.

Todd Wakefield made up for poor form/unco behaviour with a football at training by showing everyone on the farm that at least he could run like the wind. Toddy smashed the best junior distance boys in NSW in winning the u/20 event over 8km in a brilliant 27.09.

Dallaway and Miller take 1, 2 at Striders race

Sydney Striders 10km at Homebush

Jenny Dallaway and 46 year old Liz Miller dominated the women in the Sydney Striders at Homebush on July 4.
Results:
Female: Jenny Dallaway 1st 36.19, Liz Miller 2nd 36.42, Ingrid Grace 44.04 (1st 45.49), Jill Reich 46.55 (2nd 45-49), Rachael McKinney 47.53 (3rd 40-44)
Male: Andrew Cochrane 37.25, Dean Waldron 40.05 (pb), Andy Kirwin 43.03 (pb), Greg Puttick 53.20

Truscott takes out Bondi Soft Sand Classic

World famous beach takes a pounding from our triathlon star

Greta Truscott won the Bondi soft sand classic on May 24 in the 4km race. Her time of 18.31 was amazing considering the tough going, with every step sinking deep into the sand.

Ultra champ a real inspiration!

Atacama Crossing an epic battle for Fleur Grose

SWEAT ultra runner Fleur Grose won the 7 day race, over 300km in length, in Chile. She won the first stage on day 1 and then wore the yellow jersey for the rest of the race. After day 4 she was in 7th place overall (including the men!), but she dropped a place on the long day (an 80km leg in the desert), and a place on the last day.

7 days of agony but well worth the pain for Fleur after she got to lug home the enormous, prestigious winner's trophy.

Good racing in Launceston 10km

Benny 4th, Hollie 5th, Timmy 6th

Despite windy conditions, members from teh squad ran really competitively in the Launceston 10km on July 19. Ben St Lawrence was a close 4th in 29.14 in his first race since his American tour. He sent out some warning bells to fellow runners that he is around and dangerous. Tim Rowe bounced back after some tough times with a solid 6th place in 29.50. Hollie Emery continued her consistent season coming 5th female in 35.13.

Summers 4th in Sandown Classic 10km

Brave race

Harry Summers travelled to Melbourne to race in the Sandown Classic 10km on the road in late May.
After sharing the lead in the first half of the race with Mark Tucker, Summers started to feel the pinch in the second half.
Summers was still able to hold on for 4th in 29.54 (3rd Aussie) with Tucker and Jeff Hunt being the only Aussies to beat him.

North Face 100km

Blue Mountains

3 SWEAT runners did extremely well to complete the gruelling North Face 100km in the Blue Mountains in May. The course had an amazing accumulation of accents and decents.

Ewan Horsburgh was very competitive in coming 10th in 12.21.10. Wayne Gregory continued his super-consistency in ultra finishes to be first Vet in 12.37.47, whilst husband and wife team Belinda and Horrie Lockwood finished many hours under the cut-off to get the buckle for official finishes.

NSW 10km ROAD at Homebush

pbs galore in Sydney Striders organised race

The lightening fast Sydney Striders Homebush Bay course was the scene for many pbs and fine runs. The Striders race doubled as the NSW road championships.

Out of the females, Hollie Emery was our best performer, running a pb on the road by over 1 minute to record 34.27 in coming 2nd. Jenny Wickham ran solidly to come 5th in 35.58 whilst Lucy Chapman continued her awesome comeback in coming 9th in 36.38. Anna White struck her best form in 2009 in running 38.29. Claire Ongley (39.28), Tamara Cox (40.37) and Arna Graves (42.23) smashed their pbs. Excellent runs were also enjoyed by Sally Lynch (43.21), Lisa Carolli (44.35), Ally Benbow (44.54) and Deanna Lum (46.50). Deanna was a particularly busy girl this weekend as she then spent the remainder of her time completing a 24 hr relay for cancer.

The men were also very successful in this race. Tom Crasti made mincemeat out of his pb to come a close 6th in 31.03. Chris Truscott bounced back from his Canberra Marathon of 2.36 only 2 weeks ago with a swift 32.48. Jim Dawes enjoyed a fine top 50 placing with his 34.07, just ahead of a fast finishing Ewan Horsburgh who ran a mighty pb of 34.10. Adam Paleg was just behind Ewan in 34.11, also running a big pb, whilst Craig Dunn continued a fine comeback to record 34.40. Wayne (Blue Dog) Gregory tore his pb to shreds in running 36.12- a fine effort for a 50+ runner! Others to run wonderful races and either beat their pbs or went really close to them were Keith Broadfoot (36.31), Andrew Cochrane (36.41), Steve Kovaks (38.24), Trevor Tingate (39.35), David Stirk (40.49), Andy Kirwin (43.36) and Frank Dearn (65.53).

In the junior 5km, Lauren Parsons was our best girl, running 18.09; just ahead of 5th place Kristy Colman in 18.21. Jessie O'Brien ran a very encouraging 19.48 whilst Amity Delaney went within a whisker of the 20minute barrier in 20.09

Nathan Derriman was king of the boys, coming 8th in 16.45, just ahead of James King in 17.05. Mark Kriedeman showed he has unlimited potential in recording 17.49, whilst Jordan Williams ran a gutsy 18.12

Harry and Lara clean up in Queensland

Squad members tear apart the bananabenders

On May 3, Harry Summers, Steve Thurston and Lara Tamsett travelled up to Mooranbah for a 10km road race. Mooranbah, a mining town in central inland Queensland, is a hot, tough place to run a road race. The sponsors put up good prizemoney and flew in elite runners from all over Australia for their big race.

Harry Summers and Lara Tamsett both ran blinders. Harry smashed the race record of Al Stevenson by over 1 minute to win the $2500 first prize and record 29.30. Lara beat Benita Johnson's race record by over 1 minute to also win $2500 and record 32.30. Steve Thurston also went under the old race record in coming second in 30.10 and picked up $1500.

Book yourself in for a Running Camp

The next camp is looming. It will be in the Easter school holidays from April 2-6. It will be located in Jindabyne. It is for all levels of runners aged 14 and older, or as young as 12 if accompanied by an adult.


See here:
training camps

KID'S GROUP NEWS

KIDS GROUP: Personal best galore in the 900m time trial

The 900m cross country time trials have continued to be popular in the Wednesday and Friday Kids running groups. 120 children participated in these time trials throughout Terms 3 and 4 in 2009.

Each runner's progress is monitored throughout each school term and throuchout the entire year.

In Terms 3/4 the fastest runners have been:
u/9 boys: Gregory Klugman- 3.25
u/9 girls: Ellen Kriedman- 3.19
u/11 boys: Finn Merglar- 2.53
u/11 girls: Samantha King- 2.46
u/15 boys: Alex Capelli- 2.44
u/15 girls: Daisy Johnson- 3.00
The biggest improvers of the term have been Chris Ballas(9) who has improved his time to 3.27 and Lily Harding (11) who has improved her time to 3.02

Medals Have been presented to all of the above runners for their efforts.

Special prizes such as water bottles and certificates are presented to runners at the end of each training session. They can be awarded for winning scratch and handicap races and for topping point scores.