NSW 10km Walk: Elizabeth McMillen PBs and now #3 Aussie all-time

22 November 2024

NSW 10km Walk: Elizabeth McMillen PBs and now #3 Aussie all-time

Sydney race walker Lizzy McMillen has clocked a stunning break through time of 43:00.01 to win the NSW 10,000m track walk championship in Bankstown last night. It elevated her to the third fastest in Australian history, behind former world record holder Kerry Saxby-Junna and dual Olympic medallists Jemima Montag. In the men’s event Carl Gibbons won his second State 10,000m title, a minute faster than his previous win in 2022.

A special mention and congratulations to Frank Overton who coached five of the medallists.

WOMEN NSW 10,000 Metres Track Walk Championship

Through her teenage years Lizzy McMillen has won numerous National junior and age group titles, so has been on the pathway to leading the next generation of race walkers. But her breakthrough performance last night at the NSW 10,000m track walking titles, confirms the sky is the limit for the 20-year-old. She made her Australian debut at the World University Games in 2023 and her second National team in 2024 competing at the World Race Walking Teams Championship.

Her winning time in Bankstown last night of 43:00.01 was a 93 second personal best and she defeated Paris Olympian Olivia Sandery by 11 seconds.

Both coached by Olympic legend Jared Tallent, they had a race plan.

“Liv and I were going out at 1:45 minutes laps, that would be 22 minutes for the first 5K and then we'd see how we felt.”

After working together for about 4km McMillen broke away from Sandery and pushed on through for the landmark time and the win. South Australian visitor Olivia Sandery clocked a 105 seconds PB time of 43:11.09, while the NSW medals were claimed by Allanah Pitcher SYU in 46:56.14 and Hannah Bolton MIN 48:00.01.

Lizzy McMillen’s health challenges

Asked about her significant progress Lizzy McMillen revealed a health battle she has now put behind her.

“I had surgery for endometriosis about two months ago now. I can't believe I am now walking without that pain. It's insane. It felt so good.

“I can't believe I have walked in that much pain for six years.”

McMillen has so much more improvement, when you consider her hampered buildup.

“It was kind of difficult because it was like my pain was getting pretty bad through the winter, but I've been slowly picking up. I haven't actually done that much speed, so it was like a good rep session.”

“I think tonight it was just mentally not having that pain. Tonight is the best walk I've ever had easily.”

Australian Women 10,000m Walk - All-time List

41:57.22             Kerry Saxby-Junna (N) Seattle, USA 24 Jul 1990

42:34.30             Jemima Montag (V) Birmingham, GBR 6 Aug 2022

43:00.01             Elizabeth McMillen (N) Bankstown 21 Nov 2024

43:20.65             Katie Hayward (Q) Sydney 5 Apr 2019

43:48.08             Beki Smith (N) Sydney 1 Apr 2016

MEN NSW 10,000 Metres Track Walk Championship

Three-time Australian race-walking representative, Carl Gibbons has won his second State 10,000m race walking title in a quick time of 41:53.63. Like the women’s race, he had early company from Dylan Richardson, with Victorian visitor Riley Coughlan always in the mix.

“Around 3K I was just sitting in and then, Riley put a few metres on us, so, yeah, I wasn't sure if I'd be able to catch him for a minute there, but no, I felt good,” Gibbons said.

A little later Gibbons broke away from all his competition

In the end Gibbons won by a minute from Coughlan 42:50.77, with the NSW medals going to Richardson (42:58.73) and former State 10k champion Jack McGinniskin (46:24.66) for a Mingara clean sweep.

How did Gibbons feel about his performance?

“I felt really good. Surprisingly well. It was a big negative split, I think 30 seconds or so. I had a few setbacks in the last couple of months, so I’m behind where I would like to be, but heading in the right direction now. “

Gibbons is in the buildup to the next Australian race-walking championship.

“I’m training for the Melbourne 35km (in December).”

Carl Gibbons – the ‘Liam Adams’ of race walking

Just like three-time marathoner Liam Adams, Carl Gibbons is an electrician – a ‘sparky’ who works fulltime as well maintain an enormous train load.

“I definitely take some inspiration from him (Liam Adams),” Gibbons said.

“I train before and after work. It can be hard, especially when we get into those busy periods, but work knows what I do and they know that training comes first,” Gibbons said.

“At the moment I'm sitting at around 125km per week. I do get up to, around 130 or 140.”

“In total I work about 50 hours a week and double two days or so.”

Thank you to the Athletics NSW official and Bankstown Athletics club volunteers who conducted the meet and the Bankstown Club as hosts.

David Tarbotton for Athletics NSW

Image: Lizzy McMillen NSW 10,000m track walk champion (courtesy of David Tarbotton)