Athletics Australia – News – Roff to a good start in 5000m debut

It wasn’t fast, but Commonwealth Games 1500m finalist Jeremy Roff showed much promise with a victory
on debut at the Victorian 5000m Championships, at Olympic Park overnight. In his first track race beyond
3000m, the New South Welshman looked poised running to a two second victory ahead of defending
champion Jason Woolhouse (Deakin Athletic Club, VIC).

Less than two weeks since placing runner-up at the New South Wales 3000m Championships, the 27 yearold
looked at ease with the increase in distance, accelerating away from his Victorian rival over the final
two laps.

With Ed Gunby (UK) and Russell Dessaix-Chin (NSW) setting the pace through the opening kilometres, Roff
and Woolhouse took control at the 3000 metre mark, breaking-up the lead group of five that also included
Dessaix-Chin , Toby Rayner (Glenhuntly Athletic Club, VIC) and Andrew White (Box Hill Athletic Club, VIC).
Surging with two laps remaining, Roff’s gradual acceleration helped nullify Woolhouse’s sprint finish, and
proved decisive in earning him the race win.

Despite a slower than expected time, Roff said he was better for the race experience, and hopes to
capitalise on the experience when he next attempt’s the distance early in the new year.

“We were a bit off the pace that we wanted, but it’s still a good hit-out,” said Roff who stopped the clock
at 13.56.77 ahead of Woolhouse (13:58.75) and Rayner (14:12.44).

“Obviously I’d like to have gone quicker, but I think considering the circumstance it wasn’t too bad. Sub-14
[minute] I can’t really complain, I’ve just got to build upon this.

“It’s a challenge for me, with the furthest I’ve raced on the track 3000m. I’ve done [longer] road races and
cross country, but it’s completely different when you have to count the laps.”

Earlier in the evening, Old Xaverian’s Athletic Club’s Abigail Bayley ran to an emphatic 30 second victory in
the women’s 5000m championship race, assuming the race lead through the halfway mark and not looking
back.

Stopping the clock at 16:45.64, the 32 year-old claimed her maiden state crown ahead of Frankston
Athletic Club’s Sarah Klein (17:16.40) and Glenhuntly Athletic Club’s Julia Edwards (17:29.47).

“I started off pretty steady and tried to work myself into it,” said Bayley, who placed runner-up at the
Victorian Cross Country Championships in July.

“The plan was to sit in for the first five laps, and if I felt good, go for it. And I felt great.”

Bayley will return to Olympic Park in two weeks time for the 50th Anniversary Zatopek:10, where she’ll lineup
against Australia’s leading female distance runners – including Lara Tamsett (NSW), Nikki Chapple (Box
Hill Athletic Club) and Jessica Trengove (SA) – in the women’s feature national 10,000m championship
race.

With thanks to Tom Nickson at Athletics Victoria

Athletics Australia – News