Athletics Australia – News – CROSS-COUNTRY

The battle for spots in Australia's world cross country team that heads to China next month will be hotter than normal with plenty of in-form distance runners heading to Canberra (ACT) for the Selection Trial on Sunday morning.

Strong fields of 43 men and 28 women will vie for honours at Robert De Castella's famed Stromlo Park cross country course.

The women's race will see young guns Courtney Powell (Vic) and Kate Spencer (NSW) take on a strong senior contingent led by Commonwealth Games representatives Jess Trengove (SA), Victoria Mitchell (Vic) and Emily Brichacek (ACT).

According to Trengove, Glasgow 5000m runner Brichacek looms as a major danger with her local knowledge.

"Emily's a really talented runner, so who knows what she can do on the day as it is her local course, while Vic Mitchell is really motivated to have a strong season,'' Trengove said.

Trengove has run the course in 2011 and feels it suits track runners.

"It's a fantastic course and the grass is usually in immaculate condition. The grass is so green and cut so even, so it is actually quite favourable to track runners, but there's a few rolling hills to break it up," Trengove said.

Trengove has recently moved to Melbourne, where she is training with Craig Mottram's group and while most of her runs have been on the flat, she's hoping a recent trip out to Wattle Park will help her cope with the undulations in Canberra.

"I'm really enjoying the move (from Adelaide). Adam Didyk has given me a month's program in advance and Craig Mottram has helped me find some suitable training partners,'' she said.

"The VIS has been accommodating and I'm enjoying the new environment and the change of stimulus. I do some of my work with Georgie Clarke and Kelly Hetherington which has been great and I even did a session at Albert Park the other day which I've normally only been to for Zatopek.

"I really want to target some PBs this year in the 5km and 10km and half, and making the CC team for the worlds would be great as well."

The men's race is also hard to pick with Zatopek:10 champion Brett Robinson (Vic) up against Commonwealth marathon champion Michael Shelley (Qld).

While the 12km distance may prove too short for Shelley, Robinson may find the distance a little too far, although he certainly has the pace, backing up his national 10,000m title with a strong 5000m win in Hobart (Tas) in 13:43.13.

The distance may suit national champion Duer Yoa (Vic) or Commonwealth Games 10,000m representative Harry Summers (Vic) more, while Victorian star Liam Adams will also be pushing hard and together with Essendon teammate Mitch Brown showed a good turn of speed over 1500m at the AV Shield finals on Saturday.

Ballarat-based Dave McNeill (Vic) impressed in the 5000m in Hobart last week, while

Sydney steepler James Nipperess (NSW) should also be suited to the course at Stromlo.

Nearly 50 teenagers will head to Canberra for the junior races.

The world cross country titles will be held in Guiyang (CHN) on 28 March 2015.

A maximum of six athletes per event can be chosen to represent Australia.

With thanks to Chris Muirden, for irun.org.au

Athletics Australia – News

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