Ekiden Relays - Race Report

Published Wed 09 Sep 2020

Partly Cloudy 14 deg, humidity 83%, wind 5km/h from WSW

Athletics SA were back to Bonython Park for the 6 person Ekiden Relay, the final event of the winter cross country season. The course was 21 laps of a 2k loop up and back along the river Torrens. This loop was more scenic than the usual grinding up and back War Memorial Drive. Premierships, team victories and personal pride was on the line for the 29 marathon and 16 half-marathon teams. A feature of this year’s event was the inclusion by Western Athletics and Southerns of their recreational runners into their teams and some community and speciality teams.

Given the circumstances in other parts of the country SA athletics community is very appreciative of the efforts by Athletics SA staff who have made this winter season possible. Plenty of challenges finding new venues as circumstances changed. With the support of all athletes, the officials, volunteers and the spectators, we had a great mixed gender relay.

Flinders break a long drought to win the Ekiden Relay for the first time since 2014

In the opening leg Bailey Dyer (FLN) came through the changeover zone after 195m, just in front of four Adelaide Harriers teams. By the finish of the first leg Harrison Bagley (AH) had given Harriers a 10 second lead over Flinders. It was good to see Casey Wood (WA) have a strong run in the opening leg. Aleesha Robertson (AH) then stretched the Harriers lead to 38 seconds over Sarah Eckel (HILLS), who had made up ground and passed Isobel Hume (FLN). On the 10k leg Adrian Potter (AH) was out in front followed by Max Stevens (HILLS) and started a minute ahead of Riley Cocks (FLN). As the leg progressed it was clear this was to be Riley’s day. He started to make inroads to the deficit, passing Max and then closed the gap to 21 seconds at the handover. Riley’s 29.50 was the best performance of the day. Bryn Nicholls (AH) ran a fine 8k leg, but he wasn’t able to hold off an in-form Jacob Cocks (FLN) who gave Flinders a strong 52 second lead with 2 legs to go. With Matthew Clarke unable to run, Hills Districts ran three quality women athletes, with Jess Stenson (HILLS) running an impressive 26.35 to post the best female performance of the day. On the 6k leg Isobel Batt-Doyle (FLN) chased by Tara Palm (AH) who by the end got to within 26 seconds setting up an intriguing final leg. Jack Murphy (AH) narrowed the gap to Lachlan Scott (FLN) early, but Lachlan extended the lead on the third lap. The lead was reduced on the final lap, but was enough for Lachlan to bring home a win for Flinders. Caitlin Adams (HILLS) ran strongly to give Hills Districts a comfortable third place. The 25 second margin made it the closest finish in the events history.

Team Results: 1. Flinders (A) 2.13.08, 2. Adelaide Harriers (A) 2.13.33, 3. Hills Districts (A) 2.17.54, 4. Adelaide Harriers (B) 2.23.22, 5. Adelaide Harriers (C) 2.25.31.

Best Performances (Male): 1. Riley Cocks (FLN) (10k) 29.50, 2. Adrian Potter (AH) (10k) 30.27, 3. Jacob Cocks (FLN) (8k) 24.11, 4. Max Stevens (HILLS) (10k) 31.01, 5. Jack Murphy (AH) (8k) 25.15, 6. Lachlan Scott (FLN) (8k) 25.16, 7.Bryn Nicholls (AH) (8k) 25.24, 8. Harrison Bagley (AH) (6.195k) 19.16, 9. Tom Millard (AH) (6.195m) 19.18, 10. Matthew Gluyas (AH) 32.22.

Best Performances (Female): 1. Jess Stenson (HILLS) (8k) 26.35, 2. Tara Palm (AH) (6k) 19.36, 3. Casey Wood (WA) (6.195k) 20.20, 4. Caitlan Adams (HILLS) (8k) 27.14, 5. Isobel Batt-Doyle (FLN) (6k) 20.02, 6. Sarah Eckel (HILLS) (4k) 13.19, 7. Aleesha Robertson (AH) (4k) 13.35, 8. Brooke Hines (SAINTS) (6.195k) 22.40, 9. Emma Kraft (HILLS) (8k) 30.22, 10. Isobel Hume (FLN) (4k) 14.23.

All the other action

As the last event of the season the Premierships were decided with lots of strong performances. Here are the highlights for all clubs.

Adelaide Harriers (10 teams)

The Harriers won three premierships.

Men’s U18&U20: The future looks bright for the Harriers. Tom Millard in the U18s and Arron Nitschke in the U20s had the best performances. Thomas Dowd and Cael Mulholland ran well for their teams.
Men’s O35&O50: O35s gun Bryn Nicholls wasn’t out place in the A team, recording the best O35 performance. While Michael Nitschke and Paul Mullholland helped the Harriers dominate the O35 age group.
Women’s O35&O50: Not to be outdone the Harriers women were also out in force. In the O35s they were led by Tara Palm (AH) who had the second best performance of all women competing. It has been in the O50 category that the Harriers have been accumulating points. Today was no exception when they fielded an all O50s team. Michelle Leyden (AH) had the best O50 performance.
Athletes who ran the fastest times for their legs were Harrison Bagley (1^st leg M), Jack Murphy (6^th leg M), Jack Hunter (1^st leg HM), Dante Afnan (4^th leg HM) and Samuel Oliver (6^th leg HM).

Flinders (8 teams)

Flinders won three premierships.

Men’s Open: Flinders (27) won the Open title after narrowly beating Harriers (25) to take the premiership by 9 points.
Women’s U14&U16: The women’s premiership was the most tightly contested premiership throughout the season. Flinders picked up most points in the U14s led by Asha Lawson (FLN) who had the best performance.
Men’s U14&U16: The young Flinders Flyers had a dominant day with Jordan Leane in the U14s and Torben Roberts in the U16s having the best performances.
Athletes who ran the fastest times for their legs were Riley Cocks (3^rd leg M), Jacob Cocks (4^th leg M), Mitchell Bray (2^nd leg HM), Oakley Nilsen (3^rd leg HM) and Reggie Els (5^th leg HM).
Colin Ambrose in the O50s achieved a rare feat to win all six events this season.

Western Athletics (7 teams)

Westerns first team was 6^th place in the marathon relay.

Casey Wood had a strong run in the opening leg having the third best performance.

Hills Districts (4 teams)

Hills Districts won one premiership.

Women’s Open: An injury to Matthew Clarke provided Hills with the opportunity to showcase their female talent. Jess Stenson (HILLS) had the best performance of the day and along with Caitlin Adams (HILLS) and Sarah Eckel (HILLS) scoring good points to help Hills to a victory in every round of the premiership.
Athletes who ran the fastest times for their legs were Sarah Eckel (2^nd leg M), William McCann (5^th leg M).