Summary: <p> Tim and Sean are back for another riveting episode of Down the Track. The in-studio guest is Maxine Paholek, back in Australia on break from Boise State University where as a Freshman she established herself as a key member of the Bronco’s NCAA Cross Country and Track squads.<br> </p> <p>Maxine provides great insight into her experience so far in the NCAA system, and adapting to life in general as a US College student. With some great performances over the cross country season then recording a substantial PB in her specialist track event the 3000m Steeple, Maxine talks us through how she approached each season and the usual highs and lows along the way.</p> <p><br></p> <p>In international news the Australian performances in Europe continue with Ninove (Belgium) and Bern (Switzerland) playing hos to a number of Australians including Ryan & Genevieve Gregson, Michelle Jenneke, James Hansen and Nick Hough. Heidi See popped out a 4:33 mile in the USA, while Georgia Winkcup continued her strong progression in the steeple with a World Championship qualifier in Birmingham.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Domestically we had the Australian Half Marathon Championship on the Sunshine Coast with Lisa Weightman highlighting the stellar field to collect a $25,000 bonus by running the fastest Half Marathon on Australian soil. An unfortunate directional error by the officials lead to Jack Rayner being DQ’d, allowing Kevin Batt to claim the Australian title.<br> </p> <p>The world’s biggest timed fun run, Sydney’s City to Surf, saw Victorian based Harry Summers almost claim Steve Moneghetti’s long standing race record, falling just 2sec shy of the mark. South Australian Tara Palm continued on from her impressive Run at Adelaide’s Fitzy’s 5 to claim the women’s title in the Harbour City.<br> </p> <p>Athletics Victoria’s General Manager of Sport Delivery, Ross Cunningham, joins the Podcast to talk about the upcoming Summer season. With some new initiatives, including the introduction of the Athletics Victoria Shield League, Ross details what participants can expect from the new season.<br> </p> <p>With Sally Pearson announcing her retirement, the team examine her legacy to the sport and potential gaps that may now appear within the Australian team environment at the major championships. In a recurring hot topic, more issues have been raised about Nike shoe technology, this time the spikes used by Sifan Hassan to break the World Mile record.<br> </p> <p>With the Australian Cross Country Championship not far away, Sean and Tim review the main contenders based on who they believe to be running and assess Victoria’s chances to win the women’s and men’s team titles.<br> </p> <p>The world of athletics never stops!</p> <p><strong>Timeline</strong><br> 0:00:00 to 0:01:12 Intro and welcome to Maxine Paholek<br> 0:01:13 to 0:17:54 International wrap including Ninove in Belgium and Bern in Switzerland<br> 0:17:55 to 1:00:09 Spotlight on Maxine Paholek<br> 1:00:10 to 1:20:14 Domestic results including the Australian Half Marathon Championship and Sydney’s City to Surf<br> 1:20:15 to 1:49:24 AV’s Ross Cunnigham details what to expect from the upcoming AV Summer season including the introduction of the Athletics Victoria Shield League<br> 1:49:25 to 2:09:39 In the hot topics we cover Sally Pearson’s retirement and the continuing saga of Nike shoe technology<br> 2:09:40 to 2:20:42 We wrap the Podcast with a preview of the Australian Cross Country Championship<br> </p>
