50 Years of the Zatopek 10: Part 4- 2001 By Len Johnson

10 years ago: the 2001 Zatopek, 6 December

If the stand-out individual performance in Zatopek:Ten history is Ron Clarke’s world record in 1963, Susie Power’s win in the 2001 women’s race would be next in line.

Clarke ran the fastest-time ever, Power the fourth-fastest time in the world in 2001. No-one else in race history – not Steve Moneghetti, not Lisa Ondieki, not Luke Kipkosgei, not Carolyn Schuwalow – has produced a run ranking that high on the annual list.

Power is one of the great ‘might have beens’ of Australian athletics. A brilliant talent, she was largely unfulfilled. A silver medallist at a world junior championships, bronze medallist in a Commonwealth Games, yet she never made an Olympic or world championships team.

In the case of Sydney 2000, that was because Power had her first child that year. She came roaring back in 2001. After a string of brilliant wins in the Victorian winter season and smashing Lisa Ondieki’s course record in the Sydney City to Surf, Power finished third behind the Ethiopian world championships gold and silver medallists in the Goodwill Games 10,000 metres in Brisbane.

All that set up a superb run in the Zatopek when Power skipped through the rain in 31 minutes 26.34 seconds, leaving previous winners Kerryn McCann and Natalie Harvey way behind. It was a commanding performance and remains the women’s Zatopek record.

Craig Mottram, then 21 and on a career trajectory which would peak with a bronze medal in the 5000 metres at the 2005 world championships, won the men’s race from Sydney-based New Zealander Blair Martin and Sisay Bezabeh.

“It's a prestigious race,” Mottram said in explaining why he had decided to make his debut at the longest track distance. “Obviously Emil Zatopek was one of the best of his time. It's a great race and a good one to get out of the way early.

“I'm not going out to run second,” he added prophetically.

Mottram ran again – and won again – in 2003, meaning he could join the select list of three-time winners if he runs, and wins, again in 2011.