Benita Bounces Back at Brimbank

Run in perfect conditions, 18 degrees and little wind, Willis was always placed perfectly throughout the race. In her customary role as front runner, Tamara Carvolth led in the early stages of the 4x2km loop course, with Willis, Chapple, Lara Tamsett and Eloise Wellings all sitting just behind the lead. Willis and Chapple both looked comfortable throughout the race and finally dropped Tamsett on the final 2km lap. In the end Willis simply willed herself to the victory, with Chapple never giving up right through to the finish line. In the end Willis won in a fast time of 26:56, with Chapple only 4 seconds behind. Tamsett pushed through for third placing (27:26), while firstly 4 time Australian cross country champion, Anna Thompson (27:55), and then Tamara Carvolth (28:05) passing a tiring Wellings (28:06) for fourth and fifth placing's respectively.

It will now be interesting to see who will be selected for the World Cross Country Championships in March, with the top-6 placegetters all looking capable of forming a quality Australian women's team for the Championships - and a possibly a medal chance. The only top quality distance stars missing from the trials were Lisa-Jane Weightman and Emily Brichacek.

Yoa Impresses in Men's Open Race

In the men's 12km race the winner always looked like being Australian 10000m record holder Collis Birmingham, although it was the 20 year-old Duer Yoa that stole the show. The Eureka athlete ran an impressive race to finish only 10 seconds behind Birmingham (36:50), and only three seconds behind 2009 Australian cross country winner, Clint Perrett. This was on the back of another strong performance at the Great Australian Run at the end of November, where Yoa finished in 10th place. Just behind Yoa was Liam Adams (37:04), who turned the tables on Jeff Hunt (37:08) from the 2009 Australian cross country titles.

Although the trials were missing the likes of Michael Shelley and Marty Dent, the first five placegetters should be named on the Australian team (depending on individual schedules for 2010).

Batt Bounces Back

After a "DNF" at the 2009 Australian cross country titles in Nowra, Kevin Batt bounced back with a quality win in the men's U/20 race. Although David Ricketts and Ethan Heywood pushed Batt in the early stages of the race, it was Batt who showed who was the boss over the final laps of the 8km race winning in a time of 25:18. Ricketts (69th at the 2009 World Cross Country Championships and 4th at last years trials in Canberra) just managed to hold off Western Australian Heywood, placing 2nd in 25:32 to Heywood's 25:37. Joshua Tedesco also impressed, coming in only 6 seconds behind Heywood in 25:43.

In the women's U/20 race it was Demi Wood who lead from start to finish, winning in a time of 21:22. Grace Thek finished in 2nd (21:54), while Tessa Craig was a further 14 seconds behind in a time of 22:08. Apart from Wood, it is unlikely that any other runner would be selected for the 2010 World Cross Country Championships.

Photos from the Trials at Brimbank Park are located under "Vids & Pics" - see 30 photos taken over all four events.