<21.07.06> - State Cross Country Titles Action At Rokeby

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06 Aug 2006

More than 120 athletes will take to the paddocks around the State Police
Academy at Rokeby tomorrow (Saturday, 22 July) for the Tasmanian
Cross Country Championships.

With the School Sport Australia and Telstra Australian Cross Country
Championships to be held in Tasmania at the end of August, this year’s
state titles will take on extra significance.

The most keenly fought event should be the men’s open 12km, where
four of the six spots in the Tasmanian team for Pontville on 26 August
will be offered to the top four eligible finishers.

The top contenders look likely to be former Australian representative,
Kim Gillard, Andrew Harding, Grant Page, Jason Allie and the recently
arrived state development officer, Richard Welsh.

In the absence of Jenny Gillard, who is recovering from her recent win in
the Australian Marathon Championship, Donna MacFarlane will be a hot
favourite to win the women’s 8km title.

After a series of excellent performances at the recent Tasmanian All
Schools Championships at Symmons Plains, there will also be
considerable interest in the under age events, in which the remaining
available places in the state team for the Australian Championships will
also be up for grabs.

Timetable
12 noon U14 women, U14 men
12.10pm U12 women, U12 men
12.25pm U16 men, U16 men
12.25pm U18 women, over 45 women
12.40pm U18 men, over 50 men, U20 women
12.55pm U20 men, open women
1.20pm open men

Further information: Brian Roe 0438 604 571