The annual Telstra Zatopek Classic which incorporates the Australian Open & Under-23 10,000m championships took place today in very wet conditions on the track in Olympic Park, Melbourne, Australia.

The Zatopek Classic 10,000m which in its 45 year history has been won by distance names such as Ron Clarke, Rob De Castella, Lisa Ondieki , Steve Moneghetti, Lee Troop and Craig Mottram is held each December, with this year’s meet also including a variety of events including a competitive men’s 100 yards dash.

Both the 10,000m race titles went abroad this year with New Zealand’s Jessica Ruthe securing the women’s victory in 33:04.52, and USA’s 20-year-old Galen Rupp, taking the men’s equivalent race in a creditable 28:28.18.

Rupp, who was a 20th place finisher in the World Junior XC race in 2005, has a 10,000m track PB and national junior record of 28:15.52 from the same year. He has PBs/national jnr records of 7:49.16 for 3000m and 13:37.91 for 5000m, also both set in 2005.

Patrick Johnson, 34, the Oceania Record holder for 100m (9.93 seconds – 2003) ran 9.72 seconds to take the 100 yards victory.

Tamsyn Lewis returned to the track in the women’s 800 metres winning in 2:05.10, while Peter Nowill ran 8:30.20 in the men’s 3000m Steeplechase taking his sixth successive victory at this meeting.

Chris Turner for the IAAF
with thanks to Athletics Australia

RESULTS (Australian unless stated)

MEN

100 yards (-0.7m/s)
1, Patrick Johnson, 9.72. 2, Daniel Batman, 9.83. 3, Aaron Rouge-Serret, 9.85.

400 metres
1, Sean Wroe 46.15.  2, Casey Vincent, 46.86. 3, Cory Innes, NZL, 47.09.

1500 metres
1, Bradley Woods, 3:40.44.
 
10,000 metres 
1, Galen Rupp, USA, 28:28.18. 2, Bret Schoolmeester, USA, 28:46.26. 3, Lee Troop, 28:53.31.

3000 metres Steeplechase
1, Peter Nowill, 8:30.20. 2, Martin Dent, 8:34.74.


WOMEN

100 yards (-1.7m/s)
1, Jess Gulli, 11.43
 
800m
1, Tamsyn Lewis, 2:05.10. 2, Madeleine Pape, 2:05.38. 3,  Holly Noack, 2:09.62.

1500m
1, Lisa Corrigan, 4:14.66.

10,000m
1, Jessica Ruthe, NZL, 33:04.52. 2, Lisa Jane Weightman, 33:25.90. 3, Lauren Shelley, 33:59.61.

Pole Vault
1, Jacinta Lynn, VIC, 4.00m.