Issue 35. The one with the Gold Coast preview, the final analysis of the Olympic qualifying period and all the usual segments. Enjoy and good luck to those racing along The Blue Line this weekend!
FTK
#103 Log
any Janetzki. Brett was busy doing a French cooking class for this episode so it was a treat to have regular name drop on the show and loyal listener, Logy co-host with Joel. Confusing to know if Logy is blue collar (factory worker, steak and raw carrot dinners, solo trainer at Wattle Park this week) or white collar (Puma sponsorship, Wesley College graduate). Joel ran 110km’s for the week and raced successfully at Sandown with no mention of the wobbly calf syndrome.
Spiked Up
#17. In an episode where Rose ran a 1500m PB, the now 4:07 lady believed Sarah carried this episode and she’s not wrong. Sarah’s travel day from Poland back to Spain was littered with plot twists, time crunches and possibly death defying taxi rides. Throw in her results of her 2nd fastest ever 1500m and 800m plus heckling Cam Myers and then washing her race kit in the shower. Big week. Big episode.
En Route to Paris
#3. Sinead was sick at the beginning of the heat block and had 3 days off running without sessions to record a smaller than usual 75km total for the week. Gen epitomised an 80 year old Strava user whilst putting down her biggest week ever and Jess trained well with 158km’s for the week but didn’t get across the intricacies of the Olympics at Kindy. Some discussion around the Paris marathon course received some airtime (which is relevant to Gen’s first effort at an actual hilly session) with Jess commenting on what the surface may be like. This was the last episode before Gen left the country with 8 bags of basmati rice.
#4. Big 150km weeks from all three ladies and a 16km walk from Nic Bideau this episode. Sinead put in the work in the heat chamber and drew the drug tester straw this week. Jess eavesdropped in her sauna and sounded a little daunted by the 2.5hr long run a week out from GC half. The Gregson’s were in the trenches and their bin juice for most of the week but have come out the other side.
Ask Us Anything #12/ Mid-Season Break Update/Special Guest
Brett and Joel jumped onto their turned on mics to give Patreon’s an early update on Brett’s lack of running and some of Joel’s key sessions before Sandown.
This episode was also peppered with Joel dropping hints at where he might run a marathon… Melbourne? Canberra? Osaka?
Several Patreons enquired about how to find motivation for running which is timely now we’re in the depths of winter.
Finally, Yoshi made his first appearance on the podcast! Full interview is behind the second paywall that Jude Thomas manages.
If Australian Athletics had its own reality television series this past fortnight and the following days would make for some huge ratings. Athletes have been stressing about their own times, their Australian rivals' times and some random foreigners' times knocking them out of the quota. Selectors are stressing about making the ‘right’ call to select the best athletes. Administration officials are hoping the public backlash is minimal. Fans are constantly refreshing their internet browsers waiting for the announcements (with one coming early last night) while yours truly is sitting on the couch looking at it going ‘boy oh boy, wow wee’!
And there was a bit to look at in the last fortnight. Catriona Bisset won a 800m in Madrid in 1:59.77 edging out Georgia Griffiths who ran 1:59.89. Bendere Oboya then won her own race at the On Track night in Austria with a faster time, 1:58.56 with Claudia Hollingsworth in 3rd (2:00.02). The only thing the battle for the last Women’s 800m spot doesn’t have is a recent, and I’m talking within the last month, head to head between Catriona and Bendere. It’s got everything else, fast times, race wins, 600m NR’s. The Women’s 1500m storyline of course does have all that and a final recent head to head between characters Linden Hall and Sarah Billings who ran 3:58.96 and 4:00.45 for 2nd and 4th respectively in Poland. Linden has peaked at the right time to edge slightly in front of Sarah in the eyes of this writer but that actually means diddly squat behind closed doors so I’ll leave the postulating up to others.
In the Men’s 800m, there was a final crescendo with Peyton Craig winning in an Olympic Qualifying time of 1:44.12 in Austria to secure a place in the quota while Luke Boyes ran 3 races in 1:45, including a win, to do his best at securing his own quota spot. It wasn’t enough in the end but at least he can continue competing this season knowing he tried his best. Also in that category, newly minted On athlete Ky Robinson ran 13:22 over 5000m meaning Australia has only 2 athletes qualified in the Men’s 5000m unless a miracle befalls Jack Rayner and he is awarded a roll-down spot from a non-nomination of someone within the quota. Like that would matter though, haven’t you seen Jack’s Strava? Or Brett’s? Yes, while it’s great to report fast times in this segment on international results there’s also a few comrades whose injuries over the last fortnight haven’t miraculously been cured. Pray that it’s only these two for now and that there is a speedy recovery. Get them both on Andy Buchanan’s ‘Return to Running a 2:08’ plan.
From here the pointy end of Australian track stars will be awaiting official announcements from Athletics Australia on their position within the Olympic Team. I’m sure you, a highly intelligent informed member of the running community, can agree and say that of the selections that may require some discretion (Women’s 800, 1500, 5000, Men’s 1500), we can all agree that we have different opinions about who should be selected and what the process should be. Any debate is futile unless carried out over a beer and some hot chippies at a pub (where it is still futile but at least there’s beer and hot chips and it gives you something to talk about). After the selections are made, some athletes will jump on the Diamond League circuit, others will get in whatever meets they can and some, if they haven’t already, return home for a brief spell. If they make the team, they have 3-4 weeks to get into peak physical and mental shape. If they don’t, they have two or so more months of a Northern Hemisphere season to continue competing and burn off any frustrations from not making the team with the pressure and stress of doing so relieved. Either way, it’s still another exciting few weeks of athletics coming up.
They say that cream rises to the top and in the case of elite runners heading to the ‘top’ of Australia, that’ll be true at Gold Coast for those still left in the country this winter. The marathon, half marathon and 10km fields are once again deep in domestic talents as they are every year. Thomas Do Canto, Sarah Klein, Andy Buchanan and Mr. TWHSOITWTWATSA (Tim Vincent) are the unofficial Aussie headliners in my eyes but we’ll get deeper into the Australian contingent and who’s rising where in a sec.
First, let’s address the biggest change in the event this year. Jetstar must’ve advertised some Tokyo to Gold Coast specials because there are 29 Japanese athletes headed over for a spot in either the full or half marathon which is an increase of 11 from last year! Joining them on the flight is also UK runner turned Japan-eezy, Jake Barraclough, who has been gaining notoriety through his adoption of their 200+km training weeks. Throw in a smattering of elite East African’s, three supremely talented North American’s (including two-time half champ Sara Hall) and this year’s international contingent is bigger than the line-up at the Commonwealth Games. If that statement doesn’t impress you then maybe these PB’s of theirs will. Number one seed Felix Kandie (Kenya) has a 2:06:03 PB and similarly Visiline Jepkesho (Kenya) owns a 2:21:37 PB in the women’s marathon field. Across the half there are four male Japanese runners with times ranging from 1:00:41 - 1:00:51.
So if you had your money on a Liam Adams type situation from last year with an Aussie duking it out for the win, put that money towards a Patreon subscription instead or some future Spiked Up merch. No Australian has won the full marathon since Lauren Shelley in 2009 while even our strong record in the halves looks set to be upended. In a Big-Bad-Wolf-Red-Riding-Hood sort of way… oh what big international fields we have dear Gold Coast Grandma… well that makes for all the more exciting races to watch and the opportunity for Aussies to be towed along to some fast times my darlings.
Here’s who we know is lining up and some commentary on their form.
Half Marathon Fields - Saturday 6:15am
CR: Women - 66:39 - Keira D’Amato 2023
Men - 61:16 - Benson Masya 1992
Leanne Pompeani - 69:07. This time last year Leanne was coming off her Australian 10km All-Comers Record and ran her PB to finish 2nd behind Keira D’Amato. Hasn’t displayed the same career best form this year but maybe her bad luck and hamstring issues are behind her.Ellie Pashley - 69:14. A late scratching reduces the Australian contingent to three. Possibly saving herself for National Half Champs at Sunshine Coast?
Eloise Wellings - 69:29. A similar PB to EP but has some less potent recent results. Don’t count her and her marathon mindset out but also a risky bet for the first Aussie.
Jess Stenson - 70:59. The other two starters in this preview aren’t in career best form but is Jess? She did register a 71:21 half somewhere in her Daegu marathon performance which is only 22 seconds off her PB from 2018. She also has bigger fish to fry in a month’s time so will perhaps just let this one simmer?
Tim Vincent - 62:01. Is this the race Tim Vincent dips into the 61’s? He ran 64:07 at Brisbane only recently and that is not a pancake flat - open road course.
Ed Goddard - 62:16. Besides cleaning up as usual at NSW events (except for one race) Ed might still be carrying some disappointment from his Hamburg Marathon DNS. Won the NSW XC last weekend. Carries the hopes of the Blues in Maroons territory.
Riley Cocks - 62:43. Was entered in the full but dropped down to the half sometime around his Launceston 3rd place of 64:05 and may even be a late scratching. Has his brother along for company too so if he doesn’t rock up, older brother Jacob (63:57) will be waving his Cocks flag.
Andy Buchanan - 62:50. His first half since his Hamburg Marathon PB where his 2:08:high time indicates he’s probably capable of 61:mid. His recent Aths Vic results shows he’s still in form.
Seth O’Donnell - 63:40. Ran his PB here last year. Finished just behind Andy at XC a fortnight ago and ran 3rd at Launny in the 10km (28:56).
Isaac Heyne - On Debut. Beat Seth in Launny by 22 seconds for a new 10km PB but can he sustain that form over 21 km’s.
Marathon Fields - Sunday 6:15 am.
CR: Women - 2:24:43 - Lindsay Flanagan 2022
Men - 2:07:40 - Naoki Koyama 2023
Milly Clark - 2:26:59. The highest performing Taswegian from Launny (where she ran 76:04) is a few years away from her PB set in 2021 so will have her work cut out keeping the next two at bay.
Sarah Klein - 2:30:10. Ran 32:high at Lakeside 10km and had Milly covered by almost two minutes in the Hobart Run the Bridge. Coming off a 2:32:55 performance in Italy in early April.
Tara Palm - 2:32:25. Ran this PB of hers in February at Osaka and has since taken hold of the domestic fun run scene. Looking to break 2:30 and has been training like it.
Thomas Do Canto - 2:11:51. Won Ballarat after a DNS at Osaka. Has battled sickness since. Owns a pair of the Adidas Evo 1’s (the ‘you-only-race-in-them-once’ shoes) but doesn’t sound confident. Is ‘experienced’ enough to still race well.
Reece Edwards - 2:13:23. Also battling some form issues after his Launceston 69:41 performance put him on track for something above 2:20… Didn’t race a marathon last weekend though so should be fresher than he was for Osaka.
Liam Boudin - On Debut. After the first two Aussies don’t seem to be inspiring much confidence, why don’t we rest it all on a 26 year old 63:02 half marathoner debutant from QLD? Ran 64:42 at a half in Mackay recently where he won by 15 minutes.
Adrian Potter - On Debut. Also a marathon virgin but with a less credentialled half marathon resume (64:46 PB from 2022), Potter continues the theme of having a less than ideal prep. DNF’ed at Launny Half citing hamstring issues. Almost broke through for a marathon in training a fortnight ago so has taken some risks to get ready.
That’s up there with the most comprehensive Australian preview we’ve ever provided in TBL and as a summary the men’s half field looks to have the best racers primed and ready for a showdown. If you want more info on the international elites head to the Gold Coast Marathon website and read their official write-ups. Tune into the action on Youtube from 6am - 7:45am on Saturday for the Half Marathon and 6am - 9am on Sunday for the Marathon. The Marathon will also be broadcast on 9Gem at the same time slot so if you slept over unexpectedly at a new ‘friends’ house perhaps you can seal the deal for a second date by whacking on the marathon and showing off your knowledge. Good luck and let me know if that strategy works. Also, good luck to those racing. If anyone yells Huzzah or FTK at the camera’s I’ll refund their Patreon subscription for the month*.
Athletics Weekly reported on Instagram that athletics will be in the first week of the 2028 LA Olympic Program. Seb Coe, President of WA, was quoted “by prioritising athletics in the first week, the Games will witness the most thrilling of starts, captivating audiences worldwide and setting the stage for an unforgettable Olympic journey for global audiences". I thought it was usually a pretty thrilling finish and wrapped up an unforgettable Olympic journey for audiences and might now be tricky for Aussies to get their attention away from the swimming?
The World’s oldest 100 Mile race and most famous US trail running race, Western States, was won by Jim Walmsley and Katie Schide over the weekend. Both were the bookies favourites. For Jim, it was his fourth victory in his (and the course’s) second fastest time however it was a tight race all day categorised by several lead changes and only an 11 minute gap to second. Second and third place in the men’s were even closer, separated by 16 seconds after 14.5 hours of racing. For Katie, she led all day, wiped almost a whole hour off her second place time from 2023 and finished 17 minutes behind the CR of Courtney Daulwater. She was also 34 minutes ahead of second. Katie and Courtney are in a world of their own and their next head-to-head race will be fascinating.
This will be the second dot point allocated to trail running results, blasphemy! It’s not The Brown Line! It is important though to celebrate the winners of the Golden Trail National Series in Australia which wrapped up at the Brisbane Trail Ultra last weekend. Maggie Lennox placed 2nd at the event in Brisbane but accumulated enough points to win the series. She only decided to race the series after winning the second event in her home state of Tasmania in late March. Leo Peterson, ‘won’ Brisbane and the series but felt a bit hollow at the line thinking he was second behind Tait Hearps (of Sweat Elite fame for OG SE followers) who had actually disappeared off course and blacked out in the heat instead. Classic trail running right? Both athletes and the U/23 winners now have a free trip to Switzerland to race in the Golden Trail WORLD Series Final.
The USA Olympic Trials finally concluded after almost two weeks of competition. The heavy hitters mostly connected and punched out the results they needed to qualify except Athing Mu who fell over in the Women’s 800m. I wonder if any of the three who qualified in Athing’s place would ever, even though it’s probably not possible, pull off a ‘Craig Stevens - Ian Thorpe switch-a-roo' and give up their spot? I highly doubt it of course and could just imagine a USATF official with clipboard and glasses vehemently pointing out the brutality of their selection policy. It poses the perennial question; would you rather the evil of no wiggle room in a policy or the ‘evil’ of too much wiggle room and interpretation or a compromise between the two. It’s something none of us will agree on I’m sure, just like the actual selections themselves.
With Gold Coast the big feature this weekend here’s a couple of GC facts:
If no Australian wins in the Half or Marathon it’ll be only the second time since 2005 that has happened. Don’t worry though, we’ve won both the Women’s and Men’s 10km every year since 2006.
Since the event’s inception in 1983 there have only been four Men’s winners of the Half Marathon to run sub 62 and it happened in three consecutive years from 1992-1994. In 1993 Steve Moneghetti and Tadese Gebre tied for the win in 61:48.
Keira D’Amato’s CR from last year was 2:11 quicker than the second best time ever, Lisa Weightman’s 69:00 from 2010. There are only 4 sub 70 Women’s Halves in the event’s 41 year history.
July 6th: Gold Coast Half Marathon. Start time 6:15am.
July 7th: Paris Diamond League. Ft. Women’s 1500m, 3000m SC and Men’s 800m, 3000m SC. Full program. Faith Kipyegon steps out onto the DL for the first time this season.
July 7th: Gold Coast Marathon & 10km. 6:15am and 6:45am start times.
July 12th: Monaco DL. Ft. Women’s 2000m, 5000m and Men’s 800m and 1500m. Full program.
July 14th: Lignano. Ft. Women and Men’s 1500m.
July 20th: London DL. Ft. Women’s 800m and Men’s 3000m. Full program.
The Sydney Marathon is also now only 2.5 months away. Click here to join the FTK Team provided you’ve already got an entry.
This division of Grattan House welcomes any and all reader feedback.
If you want more or less of something or want something investigated then please enquire at theblueline@grattanhouse.com with an email starting with ‘Dear Fraser Darcy,’. He, (I?), am the person responsible for this and thus the views of athletes are mine and not representative of anyone else’s unless the views are wrong.
And remember, The Blue Line serves as both an extended show notes of Grattan House podcasts while also broadening the profile of Australian distance running. Send it to your mates, co-workers and your next door neighbour so you can start preparing them for athletics chat at the Olympics in less than 21 days time.
*Video evidence needed. Fraser is allowed to apply discretion to those he pays out too.
Love your work Fraser, always an entertaining and informative read