At the On Zatopek:10 in Melbourne’s Albert Park on Saturday night, Rayner emerged victorious in the national 10-kilometer championship, but he was not the race winner. In 27 minutes, 56.37 seconds, Irishman Andrew Coscoran won the 10,000 metres. Australian Rayner finished second, crossing the finish line first with a time of 27:57.87 seconds, and went on to win his third consecutive national title.
“It wasn’t too slow at the end, but it was pretty brutal for running fast.” Rayner remarked, “I believe it was the fastest I have ever run here.”
At the On Zatopek, Rayner became the first person to win three consecutive national titles since Stewart McSweyn in 2017, 2018, and 2019.
For the majority of the evening, two-time Olympian Pat Tiernan held the lead; the tall former national record holder
At the On Zatopek:10 in Melbourne’s Albert Park on Saturday night, Rayner emerged victorious in the national 10-kilometer championship, but he was not the race winner. In 27 minutes, 56.37 seconds, Irishman Andrew Coscoran won the 10,000 metres. Australian Rayner finished second, crossing the finish line first with a time of 27:57.87 seconds, and went on to win his third consecutive national title.
“It wasn’t too slow at the end, but it was pretty brutal for running fast.” Rayner remarked, “I believe it was the fastest I have ever run here.”
At the On Zatopek, Rayner became the first person to win three consecutive national titles since Stewart McSweyn in 2017, 2018, and 2019.
For the majority of the evening, two-time Olympian Pat Tiernan held the lead; the tall former national record holder
The majority of the work was done out front by Pat Tiernan. As I was listening to the commentary, I noticed that Irishman Andrew Coscoron was still in the pack. Knowing that he had the speed—having run 3.30 for 1500—I thought, “Oh gee, I don’t want him here with a few laps to go.” I was shocked when he shot around me when I made the move [near the end], thinking it would be enough to break him. In the final 80 metres, I gave it another shot, but it was insufficient.”I won’t consider winning three straight Australian titles a victory, but three titles in a row is good.”
World-class DJ Peking Duk performed after the competition, and the On Zatopek:10 was a reimagined athletics meeting with spectators seated right next to the track, DJs spinning all night and a covered bar along the back straight.
The weather was the only thing lacking.
With the unseasonably cold weather and a full day of rain, attendance numbers shouldn’t be used to determine the success of this kind of entertainment-first event on a night like this.
Bringing fans inside the track and playing music continuously were innovative touches that added excitement to otherwise sombre events.
Tokyo Olympian Bendere Oboya returned to racing early in the evening following a brief hiatus, choosing to move up from the 400m to
“There’s a tick.”
