The Illawarra Track Challenge held on Saturday 11 January 2020 at the Kerryn McCann Athletic Centre was once again an outstanding success. Entries were up from last year and it was great to see so many people in the grandstand and the surrounding areas of the track. The event is one of the most popular on the athletic calendar and athletes responded accordingly. A huge thank you to all our officials and supporters who gave outstanding service so that this event once again could go on. Officials of Athletics NSW were brilliant and at all times worked in well with our club to ensure the program ran smoothly and efficiently. A number of records were broken, and personal bests were recorded in conditions that were somewhat favourable for the sprinters but were within the wind assistance required.
TADDEO AND GANABA DEFEND TITLES
Brilliant short sprinter Abbie Taddeo created her own history by taking out the Kings Sports State Championship 60 metres for a record 5th time in a row. Her brilliant starting enabled her to hold off Stephanie Power UTS Norths and 3rd place getter, Sydney University’s Larissa Pasternatsky in a very close finish. She then backed up to take out the supporting 100 metres, again from Power, but both girls recording personal bests times. In the men’s Championship 60 metres, Campbelltown’s defending champion, Anas Abu-Ganaba made it three in a row, defeating Ismail Dudu Kamara from UTS Norths and University NSW sprinter Leonard King in a quick time of 6.77. He too backed up to the take the men’s 100 metres, also in a smart time of 10.43 with a permissible wind reading. Quality fields lined up in the Bing Lee Men’s Mile with brilliant middle-distance athlete Will Austin-Gray from UTS Norths recording 4.18.01, a time that was good considering the race was run more tactically than for a time. He defeated Randwick Botany’s Stepan Music and Benjamin Jagger, both second and third placegetters fighting out a great finish. TRT Running club member, “mum of the day” Lauren Reid was an excited mum, when she ran once again, a very tactical race to take out the Jessica Hull Women’s State Championship Mile. Running fully composed, Reid defeated Run Crews Abigail Nordberg from UTS Norths Isabella Thorton-Bott. Long time supporter of this event, Belinda Martin at the age of 46 came in 4th place, in a field that included 93-year-old Heather Lee, the best race walker in the world for her age. Heather walked the mile race to see if she could break the existing world record, which she did, but won’t be ratified due to it being in a run race, but Heather admitted she doesn’t care, as she knows now she can do it.
BLUE STARS FEATURE IN STATE TITLES
Locals were outstanding and it was great to see the host club Illawarra Blue Stars featuring in the State title events with U14 athlete Alexander Harris defeating his club mate, Calem Brown in one of the closest 60 metres on the program. Both boys crossed the line together Harris recording a great 7.54, and Brown 7.57. Emma Matthews also ran a great race to again to be involved in a close finish taking the silver medal in the girls U18 in a time of 7.75, the winner recording 7.70. Chelsea Ezeoke also finished a good 2nd in the U16 girls 60 metres in a quick time of 8.07, finding the short distance a little to short for this up and coming 200/400m athlete. Jonti Faulkner just missed a medal in the men’s U20 state title 60 metres, being edged out by Athletics Wollongong Gabriel Bickel.
QUALITY FIELD IN WOMEN’S HAMMER
What a great display of throwing by silver medallist Alexandra Hulley from Sutherland in the women’s hammer who sent the ball out a fabulous 64.32 metres sending officials scurrying across the field. This talented young thrower has become a regular at the meet and has always thrown well. She was extremely happy with her throwing at her first hit out for the season.
AUSSIE REPS FIGHT OUT 400 METRES
What a race the supporting 400 metres turned out to be. Bypassing her favourite event, the 400 metres hurdles, local Australian Rep Sara Carli opted to race the 400 metres to bring her times down. Up against the Australian rep over 400 metres, Bendere Oboya, Carli tried to hang on to the brilliant Oboya finishing a strong 2nd in a race that she has to be happy with. Bendere showed all the power and strength for a young girl so talented and ran the race fast from the word go, in a classic display of 400 metres running. The men’s supporting 3km was an attempt on the qualifying time for the World Juniors and it was the grandson of former great local distance runner Bill Raimond and the son of former 800/1500m Jessica Raimond who was targeting this time. One of the most fluent runners around, Oli Raimond took charge of the event right from the gun and was never headed. With great crowd support the Sutherland athlete was outside the required time but he showed with more racing, he is capable of meeting this mark.
THANKS
What a great night, though we cannot conduct these events without the support from our officials, supporters and our sponsors, Bing Lee, King Sports Store, and Simon Hull Tiling. We thank you all and from the response, this event will continue in 2021. To our own club members who helped in any capacity at all, we thank you for without your help, this event would not go on. To the athletes who gave their time to come in and help with tents, chairs, equipment, etc, thank you very much on a job well done.