Sydney Striders Juniors: State 3K Championships November 9th at SOPAC

It was an enthralling night of racing at the NSW 3000m Championship with most of us on our feet cheering on our athletes who were on the hunt for personal bests. Conditions however were far from ideal. The temperature did drop with the arrival of the cool change which also brought a gusty head wind blowing down the home straight.

Lachlan and Josh, shoe experts, superstars, friends and rivals limber up.

First up was the Men’s H race with Michael Halmy (Bethany and Adam’s dad), David Jagger (Ben’s dad) and our president, Joe Degabrielle sporting his new spikes. Michael was first home in 11.42 while David held off our president.

In the Men’s G race, Dan Cooper limped off the track mid-race through the race after injuring his hamstring. We wish him a speedy recovery, hopefully in time to run in next weekend’s State Relays. New member, 17 year old Joe Jones, in his track debut came second in 10.14.08 while 15 year old Ben Jagger ran a PB of 10.28.82 not far behind.

Left to right: Ben Jagger, Dan Cooper before he hurt his hamstring and Joe Jones

It's exciting to see your result on the board.

12 year old Tom Davies ran a personal best of 10.15.39 in the Men’s F race. Incidentally, Tom ran faster tonight than Josh Phillips when Josh was 12.

Tom Davies up with the big guys

14 year old Lachlan Cooper launched his usual late run for glory with 600m to go and finished second with a time of 9.09.33 in the Men’s D race which had most of us thinking this was going to be the fastest time of the night. Behind Lachlan, Adam Halmy ran a solid 9.38.70.

The start of the men's D race

Look at the effort: Adam Halmy and Lachlan Cooper

The series of men’s races were interrupted by the Women’s C race which was won by 12 year old Sophie Gocher on her debut in the event. Sophie took the lead in the last kilometer and came home in 11.06.06. Not far behind was another 12 year old, Olivia Hogg again in her debut finished strongly in fifth place in 11.20.10. Another 300m behind was one Caroline Yarnell, the only Senior Female Strider and the oldest female competitor in the event finished in 12.25.85.

The start of the C race

Sophie Gocher who ran 11:06:06 to win the race

Olivia Hogg has just overtaken no. 12

The men’s C race was arguably the highlight of the evening which featured 14 year old Josh Phillips, 17 year old David Gardiner, Joe Burgess who recently left us to join Sydney University and one Nick Bromley whose Little Athletics 3000m record was broken by Josh last year. The start was fast and had us spectators wondering whether the field was going to try to run 8 minutes. Like all the races that took place earlier, the field stretched out into the back straight with the wind blowing behind and came back together on the home straight in the head wind. David and Josh did everything right and covered all the breaks. Soon after 4 laps, the field began to split into packs. Josh looked the strongest and began to move through the field which had us all on our feet. Josh eventually came in eighth in a time of 9.02.10, a massive personal best and the fastest time by a Strider on the night. Not far behind, David came in 15th with a time of 9.14.81.