By Tracy Canham for Runner’s Tribe
Tasmania lived up to its reputation for unpredictable weather across the weekend for the running of the Tasmanian Open Championships in Hobart, giving the locals an early taste of Winter.
For those in the stands there was plenty to keep them entertained with close to 200 of Tasmania’s best athletes competing, but the focus quickly turned to those bound for the Commonwealth Games who were enjoying a final hit out at home before heading to the Gold Coast.
Samuel Walker, the youngest member of Team Australia heading to the Gold Coast was sensational in his 100m, with the 15yo T38 athlete running a personal best of 12.09 in the heats of the Open 100m. Fellow Team Australia members, brothers Hamish & Huw Peacock were comfortable winners of their events. In challenging conditions, Hamish launched the spear to 77.94m which was enough to secure his thirteenth consecutive state Javelin title.
“I would have liked to have thrown further going in to the (Commonwealth) Games, but it’s always special to walk away with a state title”
Younger brother Huw won his eighth consecutive Hammer title, throwing a solid 65.33m. Both brothers showed their dominance across the throws, medalling in all four events. Hamish took out the Discus ahead of Huw, with Huw turning the tables to beat his older sibling in the Shot Put.
In the sprint events it was 16yo Jagga Pybus who stole the headlines, winning the Men’s 100m final in 10.89. Morgan Gaffney impressed across the weekend taking out the 100m/200m double before anchoring the The North West athletes dominated the 400m events, with Daniel Reeves and Nicole Perry claiming honours. Perry backed up the following day to take out the 800m in 2:11.21. Douglas Hamerlok cruised his way to win the 1500m, with the battle for the minor placings behind him between youngsters Sam Clifford and Sam Field.
With the rain falling heavily for the distance events on Sunday morning, race walker Alice Randall was seemingly unaffected in the by the conditions, walking her way to a 2m personal best and World Junior qualifier of 49:52.73 in the 10000m Walk. World Uni Games representative Dylan Evans ran a race on his own to claim his first Tasmanian track title in 14:41.82 with Australian U17 3000m Champion Sam Clifford breaking his own U16 state record in the event, running 15:17.15 to finish second. Meriem Daoui took out the Women’s 5000m in 18:00.30. In the U20 5000m event it was South Australia’s Isaac Heyne who led the field, crossing the line in a slick 14:45.73 with Harvey Chilcott finishing second to claim the state title.
With the recent passing of Rex Morriss, the Men’s Triple Jump Trophy was this year named in his honour. Brandon Clark was the first to put his name on the newly awarded trophy, winning the event in 14.34m.
“It was my first time off a full run up in about 4 years and it went surprisingly well” said Clark “Being the first to win the Rex Morriss trophy was pretty special, he was my coach and mentor and this will be a great way for me to remember him” Brandon was also successful in the Long Jump, claiming his sixth title with a best of 7.24m.
Hamish Peacock was awarded Athlete of the Meet for his performance in the Javelin, while Morgan Gaffney was awarded the Female Athlete of the Meet for her 100m result.
