NSW 10,000m Championships: another Run Crew double

Published Sun 28 Nov 2021

28 November 2021

NSW 10,000m Championships: another Run Crew double

Two weeks after they took the NSW women’s and men’s 3000m double, Run Crew were at it again, sweeping the two titles at the NSW 10,000m events held last night at Barden Ridge in the Sutherland Shire. Tom do Canto and Aynslee Van Graan were untroubled in taking the wins in challenging conditions.

The last two COVID effected years have thrown the world lots of unexpected twists and build a level of resilience which was certainly on show at the NSW 10,000m championships. Although the heavy rain in the preceding days had eased to an occasional sprinkle during the night, the temperature plummeted to around 17 degrees mixed with very gusty conditions. If that was not enough, when switching on the flood lights mid-program, the facility lost power, knocking out photo-finish for about 30 minutes. But host club Illawong, the officials and athletes just go on with business.

WOMEN 10,000m Championships

“There certainly were a few curve balls in this event,” noted the 10,000m winner Aynslee Van Graan (RunCrew). With the early program of sprints events running 30 minutes late due to the power outage, the women’s 3000m still started on time, but was held in conjunction with the sprints which were conducted in the outer lanes. However the venue flood lights were still not operating in the concluding stages of the race, with the athletes finishing in complete darkness.

Run Crew training partners Aynslee Van Graan and Rosie Weber worked well together in the windy conditions.

“The first half was really good with Rosie and I taking turns leading at each ‘k’ but as it got darker and the wind picked up a bit, somewhere along the line I lost focus and motivation I guess,” said Van Graan.

But despite the challengers, Van Graan ran on for an impressive victory in 34:29.11, five seconds faster than her 10km road best and a minute better than her track PB set in the same event in 2020. It was also her second NSW title in as many weeks, claiming the 3000m earlier this month.

For Rosie Weber, her silver medal winning time of 35:07.32 was a 46 second improvement on her PB and indicates she is in terrific form for her next race, as Aynslee Van Graan explained.

“Rosie is building up for the Melbourne marathon so she has a lot of ‘ks’ in her legs at the moment.”

After emerging from seemingly nowhere with fifth in the NSW 3000m championship, 20-year-old Newcastle physio student Jessica Noble, moved on to the podium, taking the bronze in 35:17.62.

MEN 10,000m Championships

On paper the men’s race looked a close battled between Run Crew training partners Tom do Canto and Kieren Tall. Do Canto explained his plan.

“When I knew the weather conditions, I wasn’t too keen to have a crack at PB it was just a matter of running solid and having a good hit out. Kieran and I were hoping to work together for most of it and help each other out in the conditions, but he had a back issue and had to pull the pin. I just had to work hard for the rest of it into the wind.” Tall dropped out after about 2km, leaving do canto to run solo for the majority of the race. Although he was unable to share the race lead duties, he still had the benefit of picking up lapped runners.

Do Canto clocked an impressive 29:09.71, only bettered by his sixth place time at Zatopek earlier in the year. Most interest was in the battle for the podium. Olympian Scott Westcott took on pacing duties for his athlete Guy Walters (Newcastle Runners), while Drew Fryer (RBH) tagged along. Westcott took them through to about 8km, with Walters then too strongest finishing in 29:50.26 – a tremendous 21 second PB for him. Certainly in better conditions it would have to be worth close to 29 minutes. Drew Fryer claimed bronze in 30:35.17.

Tom do Canto golden years ahead of Melbourne Marathon

Next up for 35-year-old Tom do Canto is the Melbourne Marathon in two weeks. In the last few years he has been in sparking form. In 2017 he set his marathon PB of 2:14.59 and in the last 12 months he has destroyed his PBs from 3000m, to 10km, 10000m and half marathon.

He looks on track for something special in Melbourne. How is it looking for him?

“Never a perfect preparation, but I can’t complain it’s been good in the most part,” he said about his leadup to the Melbourne Marathon.

“I’ve been getting colds and the flu, but just want to stay healthy for the next two weeks and take it easy. This was the last hard hit out. Now I’ll just freshen up for the next two weeks.”

He spoke about his improvement post age 30 and how his lifestyle and training have changed.

“It is a double-edged sword, having kids has interrupted patterns with them not young and sleeping, but I don’t go out much, I lead a pretty boring life. So I go to bed at 9.30pm at the latest.”

“I’ve had the least amount of injuries in the 18 years. I’ve learnt my body. Achilles issues have really knocked me about over the years but touch wood I’ve learnt how to manage them well and consistent training has led to that. Also going back to speed work and gym and shorter intervals. I’ve responded well to short intervals, last year dropping down to 400m and 800m reps, which has translated into faster times over the long distances.”

Coached by Gary Howard at Run Crew, he is also in a beneficial environment.

“The squad is awesome. It makes training more enjoyable and people to train with.”

Photos: Tom do Canto in 2010: