Summary: <p>A great start to weekend two of the 2019 Coles Victorian Open and Junior Track & Field Championships, with Swede Perseus Karlstrom recording an Australian All Comers record of 18:32.56 in the 5000m Walk, breaking the Swedish 3000m and 5000m records at the same time. It was great to hear from Perseus about his training and racing plans and the importance of his visits to Australia.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Rhydian Cowley scored his 7th Victorian title in the Walk joining Chris Erickson, who finished second, with seven wins. Jemima Montag was also impressive taking her second successive Walk title and she talks to Down the Track about her international plans coming up.</p> <p><br></p> <p>We had steeplechase victories for Reilly Shaw and Charlotte Wilson and hear from them about their races.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Para athletes Marty Jackson, Maria Strong, Richard Colman and Sam Rizzo took time to speak to Down the Track and it was great to get insight into their training and racing plans.</p> <p><br></p> <p>In the field we hear from Shot Putter Matthew Cowie and how good was it to see Ned Weatherly step back into the circle after a year out. Ned lets us in on his career plans and how this will work in with is athletic pursuits.</p> <p><br></p> <p><br></p> <p>There was high action in the 400m Hurdles with Stephanie Larkin recording a come from behind victory as Ashleigh Palmer smashed into the last hurdle. We hear from both girls in some candid interviews immediately after the race.</p> <p><br></p> <p><br></p> <p>Sean identifies some standout performances in the juniors and we hear from 5000m winners Ed Marks and Olivia Hobbs. Heptathlete Shannon Fraser had a busy few weeks in the individual events and she shares her story with us. Tim and Sean also focus on the negative impacts of over training in junior females and the long term effects this may have.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Overseas Ellie Pashley opened her Tokyo 2020 campaign with a huge PB of 2:26.21 in the Nagoya Marathon, moving to 12th on the Australian All Time list. On the same weekend her coach Julian Spence may have sealed selection for the Doha World Championships, running 2:14:42 at the Lake Biwa Marathon. Could we have a coach and athlete selected for the same event at the same championship?</p> <p><br></p> <p>Joining Spence in Lake Biwa was Nick Earl who finished just 4secs ahead in 2:14:38. Still a UK citizen Earl is unlikely to go to Doha as he won’t be running the British trial race in London. We also look at the Warburton Trail Running Festival where Victorian Half Marathon Champ Jayne Grebinski sets a new course record, joined on top of the podium by Box Hill’s John Dutton, also in a record time.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Yet again another big week in Athletics!</p>
