Adams and Brichacek crowned Australian champions

Tweet

Brisk and windy conditions have greeted runners at Stromlo Forest (ACT) for the Australian Cross Country Championships today, as Liam Adams (Vic) and Emily Brichacek (ACT) were crowned men’s and women’s open champions respectively.

 

Both competing after medal winning performances at the City2Surf last weekend, the duo were joined by almost 1000 runners at the purpose built facility in thenation’s capital.

 

Doing battle over 12 kilometres, it was a top field that lined up in the open men’s race. For the first seven kilometres, a main pack of 14 runners stayed together, piloted around by local legend Philo Saunders (ACT).

 

With all the contenders still in with a chance, and the kilometres quickly dropping by, it was Adams who produced a move to shock the pack into reality.

 

“I decided with two laps (5km) to go, I had to make a move that was decisive. I let rip for 200m and it really hurt me, but seems to have done the trick,” Adams explained.

 

Adams’ lead went out to 20 metres in no time, with defending champion Martin Dent (ACT) giving his best effort to stay with him.

 

“It’s been a massive week for me and I was worried I wouldn’t be able to back up today.  However I felt great all week and even managed a really tough session just 2 days after City 2 Surf,” Adams said.

 

After the initial move, Adam’s never looked back and ran seemingly comfortable to victory in a fast time of 36:05. Flame athlete Dent (ACT) headed home with the silver medal after crossing in 36:22, while Scott Westcott (NSW, 36:23) won bronze.

 

It was a relatively uneventful opening in the women’s open 8km event before eventual winner and leader of the front pack Brichacek made her move at the five kilometre mark. Challenging those around her, the Canberra-based athlete held her own on a course she frequently trains on to take out the event in 27:18.

 

“Not much happened early on, as it was pretty slow to begin with.  I think my coach will kill me as he said not to lead early and that’s exactly what I did,” Brichacek said.

 

“I’m very, very pleased with that run and the time is solid too.”

 

“We train here at Stromlo a lot, doing our 2km and 1km reps, so its great to win on a home course.”

 

Australian mile record holder Lisa Corrigan (ACT, second, 27.36) made it a local double, taking second place in a ripper return to form. Seven-time world cross country championships representative Anna Thompson (VIC, 27.46) was third.

 

The under 20 men’s race was brutal from the outset.  A fast-paced first lap led by Josh Johnson (ACT) settled into single file with Declan Wilson (NZL) and Glenn Yarham (Qld) holding out front as the race progressed.

 

Wilson and Yarham went on to cross the line first (23:57) and second (24:04) respectively, as Victorian Jordan Williamsz placed third (24:54) and Johnson fourth (third Australian, 25:05).

 

The women’s under 20 event was won by Celia Sullohern (NSW), who earlier this year was the best placed Australian at the IAAF world cross country championships in 21st.

 

Sullohern’s victory today is her first Australian title, and she was joined on the podium after six kilometres by Tessa Craig (Vic, second, 20:37) and Rosie Donegan (Vic, third, 21:09)

 

“This is pretty exciting. I’ve had a great year and it was nice to come here to Canberra and cap it off well,” Sullohern said.

 

“I always love racing at Nationals, seeing so many familiar faces and friends so this is just icing on the cake.”

For full results from the 2011 Australian Cross Country Championships, including information on the state-versus-state team competition, please click here