<26.08.06> - Australian Cross Country Titles Wrap

No horsing around as Troop re-claims crown

Dual Olympic marathon representative Lee Troop’s resurrection as one of Australia’s premier distance runners continues, with the 33-year-old capturing the Telstra Australian cross country title in empathic style in Hobart today.

Victorian Anna Thompson dominated the women’s race to win a record equalling third title.                   

A “shocked” Troop reigned supreme over the 12km journey at the Pontville Equestrian Centre, outside Hobart, defeating a talented tine-up to regain the crown he last held in 2000.

With the lead changing hands on numerous occasions, it came down to a battle between Troop and defending champion Martin Dent (ACT) on the fourth and final 3km lap.  Dent threw down the gauntlet at the bell to open a 20m gap, but Troop powered home on the final hill to take his first Australian cross country title in six years. 

Dent finished second with Queensland’s Michael Shelley winning the bronze medal. 

“I’m a bit shocked; it’s been a long time between drinks in cross country,” an ebullient Troop said after the race.

“After Martin got 20m clear of me, I thought I was running for second, but I continued running to my strengths. I love cross country and when it gets tough, I can always find something extra.” 

“I liked the course, the hills were challenging which worked to my benefit and the hay bails just knocked the rhythm out of people,” Troop said.

Troop missed the Commonwealth Games and last represented Australia internationally at the Athens Olympic Games where he finished 28^th in the marathon.  After a period in the wilderness due to injuries, Troop claimed the Telstra Australian marathon title on the Gold Coast in July

“This year is about establishing myself domestically, before I become an international athlete again.  Until I dominate at home, I am not ready to take on the big boys overseas.”

He will race regularly in Australia over the next five months before returning to the marathon in March or April next year. 

Victorian Anna Thompson dominated the women’s race to capture her third title, beating home local hero and Commonwealth Games steeplechase bronze medallist Donna MacFarlane. 

Thompson is making bi-annual cross-country wins a habit, after claiming the title in 2002 and 2004.

Knowing she had less speed than her biggest rival, Thompson ensured the pace was on from the beginning to win by 20 seconds over MacFarlane. 

“I had to go out hard to burn off Donna’s finishing speed, then had to try and hold on at the end, an elated Thompson said.

“There was great support out there today; it really lifted me, especially on the last lap.  I had a lot of confidence after winning the City-to-Surf two weeks ago and today’s crowd made nearly as much noise as on the streets of Sydney,” Thompson said.

Thompson’s win takes her national cross-country titles to three – equalling the record held by dual Commonwealth Games marathon gold medallist Kerryn McCann, Tasmanian Kylie Risk and NSW’s Beth Stanford who won three titles in the 1970’s.

It has been a fruitful winter season for the 29-year-old, winning the Victorian cross country title and the City to Surf in Sydney.  Her next challenge will be the World Mountain running Trophy in Turkey next month followed by the IAAF World Road Championships in Hungary in October.

Victoria took team honours in both open men’s and women’s races.  Victorian Chris Hamer won the under 20 men’s event with world junior championship representative Lucy Starrat (NSW) winning the under 20 women’s race.

The action continues tomorrow when Olympic bronze medallist Nathan Deakes sets his sights on the Australian record over 30km at the Telstra Australian Road Walking Championships and Junior Road Walking Championships at the Derwent Entertainment Centre in Hobart from 9.00am. 

Full results available from the Athletics Australia website at: http://www.athletics.org.au

For further information or to arrange athlete interviews, please contact:
David Culbert - Athletics Australia Media - 0417 272 641
Or
Richard Welsh – Athletics Tasmania - 0409 820 248.
 

Telstra Australian Cross Country Championship - Hobart, TAS
Men 12k CC Open
Name Age Team Finals Points
1 #841 Lee Troop 33 VIC 36:36 1
2 #860 Martin Dent 27 ACT 36:52 2
3 #851 Michael Shelley 23 QLD 37:15 3
4 #858 Erwin McRae 30 ACT 37:27 4
5 #837 Collis Birmingham 22 VIC 37:37 5
6 #836 Liam Adams 20 VIC 37:44 6
7 #831 Kim Gillard 36 TAS 37:53 7
8 #781 Clint Perrett 23 VIC 37:57 8
9 #857 Scott McTaggart 29 ACT 38:11 9
10 #861 Anthony Haber 28 ACT 38:13 10

Women 8k CC Open
Name Age Team Finals Points
1 #876 Anna Thompson 30 VIC 27:45 1
2 #811 Donna Macfarlane 29 TAS 28:07 2
3 #877 Lisa Jane Weightman 27 VIC 28:20 3
4 #815 Emma Rilen 23 NSW 28:44 4
5 #825 Lauren Shelley 30 WA 28:45
6 #820 Clare Geraghty 20 QLD 28:49
7 #824 Kristy Villis 30 SA 28:58
8 #816 Eliza Stewart  20 NSW 29:08 5
9 #819 Belinda Wilsher 22 NSW 29:11 6
10 #875 Kate Smyth 34 VIC 29:23 7