Athletics Australia – News – Delhi rivalries continue on Apple Isle

Australia’s top men and women walkers will face off with a bounty of international talent in Hobart this weekend as the Apple Isle plays host to the Australian 20km Road Walking Championships on Saturday, February 19.

Doubling as the Australian 20km race walk selection trial for the IAAF world championships in Daegu (KOR) later this year, the event is also the opening fixture of the IAAF Race Walking Challenge, a year-long series which culminates in the final in La Coruna (ESP) in September.

Sitting atop the entry list for the men’s event are Jared Tallent and Luke Adams.

There was not much between the pair in the Commonwealth Games 20km title in Delhi, the race turning after Adams’ stumbled on a patch of concrete on the road surface leaving Tallent to seize his opportunity to forge a break and win gold.

Tallent won the Australian title on the same course a year ago, walking a personal best 1:19:15. The dual Beijing Olympic medallist will be seeking his fourth consecutive national 20km title.

The 2007 winner of the IAAF Race Walking Challenge, Adams has been a fixture in the top 10 of men’s international race walking since placing fifth in the 20km at the 2003 Paris IAAF world championships.

Nathan Deakes will also be on the start line on Saturday, with the 2007 50km world champion taking another step in a long rebuilding process and looking ahead to a 50km event in Dudince (SLO) late next month.

“I’m pleased with the amount of work Nathan has been able to get done,” Craig Hilliard, Deakes’ coach, said.

“It’s a long way back from where Nathan has been, but we are getting there and a 50km walk is on the cards for next month.”

Others in with a chance include the third Commonwealth 20km representative Chris Erickson, Adam Rutter and Rhydian Cowley.

The international challenge will be led by Mexican Inaki Gomez and Ato Ibinez of Sweden, whilst 20-year-old British walkers Tom Bosworth and Alex Wright are both taking to the start line as they hunt for 2012 Olympic selection.

Unable to take out the Australian championship despite regular visits to the AIS, English Commonwealth Games gold medallist Jo Jackson looks like the best contender for the women’s race.

Claire Tallent, silver medallist behind Jackson in Delhi, looks the favourite to take the national title ahead of Delhi teammate Cheryl Webb and up and coming youngster Regan Lamble. Eighth placed at the 2010 world junior championships (across 10km), Lamble had a significant breakthrough in December walking 1:36:40 for second in Melbourne.

The winner (or first Australian) of the men’s and women’s race that does so in a qualifying time (1:22:30 – men, 1:33:30 – women) will be automatically selected to compete at the IAAF world championships in athletics.

With outstanding prize money of $25,000 also available, the Australian 20km Road Walking Championships and Round 1 of the IAAF Race Walking Challenge are set to be a fantastic event on the picturesque surrounds of Hobart’s Constitution Dock.

Australian 20km Road Walking Championships
Round 1, IAAF Race Walk Challenge
6:00pm
Saturday, February 19 2011
Constitution Dock, Hobart

Australian 20km Road Walking Championships Prize Money

MEN:
1st – $7500
2nd – $3500
3rd – $2000
4th – $1250
5th – $750

WOMEN:
1st – $5000
2nd – $2500
3rd – $1500
4th – $1000

With thanks to Len Johnson

Athletics Australia – News