State 10km Road Champs in Launceston a Hit

19 Jun 2011

It was a repeat of the 2010 Burnie Ten, with Liam Adam's and Lara Tamsett taking out the 2011 B & E Launceston Ten.

Adams clocked a lifetime best 28minutes 57seconds, to beat home 1500 runners and walkers at the fifth edition of the race.

"It's right up there with the Burnie Ten win and I was over the moon to get the win today," Adams said.

"It was the first time I've cracked 29minutes on the road for 10km, so I was happy with that.

The Melbourne based R4YL adirunner had to knock of the class pair of Lee Troop and Marty Dent to win the $4000 first prize. On the 5km run home, it was between these three and Queenslands Jackson Elliot was the early leader.

"Troopy took up the pace, motored on and threw in some surges," Adams explained.

"For most of the race I thought I was going to get dropped because the pace was on and I wasn't quite sure if I could hold onto the pace, but I managed to latch on and ended up at the end there with Troopy and managed to out kick him.

"I had a couple of metre lead at the home turn and managed to push on strong from there and outsprint him.

"If he was there with 50-100m to go he probably would have got me as I was quite heavy at the end," Adams added.

Despite being labeled as the favourite by many before the race, Adams' confidence wasn't as high as the tipsters.

"I was coming into the race hoping I could latch onto the back and maybe get close to a PB, but I thought those guys would have been too strong for me today," Adams admitted.

"I was quite shocked that I was able to outkick those boys. I've only beaten Marty once before and Lee Troop looks like he's in great form.

"To be able to be up there with these guys and somehow get the win is amazing for me and I'm quite rapt with it.

Sydney's Lara Tamsett continued her love affair with Tasmanian races, adding the Launceston Ten to her 3 Burnie Ten titles she has accumulated since 2008.

Finishing just outside the course record, in 32:42, Tamsett said she achieved all she wanted.

"It was a good race, very tactical. I was happy to come away with the win, which was my big aim for today. Win first, time second, mission accomplished, so I'm very happy and I'll be back next year for sure," the Sydney sider said.

UK athlete Abigail Bailey was second over the line in a rush that saw the top three women finish within 25seconds of each other.

Race record holder Nikki Chapple from Melbourne placed third.

Tasmanian distance runners reveled in having such a top level race in their backyard, with several athletes rising to the big time occasion.

Mel Daniels dipped under 35minutes for the first time to win the state title in 34:52, ahead of Kate Pedley and teenager Natalea Smith.

Launceston's David Thomas took out the men's state championship in a personal best time of 29:42. Picking up $1250 for his troubles, which will be used towards funding his trip to a training camp in the USA for the next 3 months.

Josh Harris was second Tasmanian, with Hobart's Grant Page clocking 31:07 for third.

Top 3 Overall Placings
1^st Male	Liam Adams	28:57	1^st Female	Lara Tamsett	32:42
2^nd Male	Lee Troop	29:04	2^nd Female	Abigail Bayley	32:50
3^rd Male	Marty Dent	29:14	3^rd Female	Nikki Chapple	33:07
Top 3 Tasmanian Placings
1^st Male	David Thomas	29:42	1^st Female	Mel Daniels	34:52
2^nd Male	Josh Harris	30:36	2^nd Female	Kate Pedley	35:04
3^rd Male	Grant Page	31:07	3^rd Female	Natalea Smith	35:50

Tasmanian state championship results are;

Open Men
1	David Thomas	29:42:00
2	Josh Harris	30:36:00
3	Grant Page	31:07:00
Open Women
1	Mel Daniels	34:52:00
2	Kate Pedley	35:03:00
3	Natalea Smith	35:50:00
Over 40 Men
1	Phil Clarke	34:00:00
2	James Plapp	35:33:00
3	William Yee	36:08:00
Over 40 Women
1	Francesca Smith	39:10:00
2	Debbie Pauna	39:42:00
3	Carolyn Davis	39:54:00
U'20 Men
1	Jacob Birtwhistle	31:18:00
2	Dylan Evans	32:48:00
3	James Hansen	33:45:00
U'20 Women
1	Natalea Smith	35:50:00
2	Ali Guy	42:26:00
3	Felicity Stringer	43:55:00

For more information and full results, go to www.launcestonten.com.au