NSW 10km Walk: Isaac Beacroft smashes Australian record

25 November 2023

NSW 10km Walk: Isaac Beacroft smashes Australian record

On a gloomy night at Homebush, the athletes really shone, led by 16-year-old Isaac Beacroft setting an Australian Under-18 10,000m walk record, his third in less than a year, and astonishingly on debut at the distance. In the women’s, sisters Allanah and Sienna Pitcher, claimed the open and under-20 10000m walk titles.

Isaac Beacroft Men Open and U20 10,000m walk

From the gun, Isaac was in a three-way battle for the under-20 and open NSW 10,000m walk titles, up against a regular rival, Canberra’s Owen Toyne, rising Queensland talent, Bailey Housden. They went stride for stride for 20 laps – 8km. Owen was the first to crack, eventually not finishing. Housden was unshakable until a mile to go.

“About 1500m to go I put a bit of a surge in,” said Beacroft. It was decisive as he opened up a gap of about 20 metres. He pushed on to claim the title in a stunning time of 41:48.76. The time was a world under-18 leading time for 2023, broke the NSW under-18 record and he now sits number six Australian under-20 all-time behind five Olympians. It was also his third Australian record in less than a year, following his under-16 3000m record and under-18 5000m walk.

“I’m stocked, I couldn’t be any happier. First ever race at that distance and I don’t think I could have asked for a better outcome,” said Beacroft.

“Training leading into the race had been a bit choppy. Two weeks ago, I walked 20:13.27 and had COVID pretty hard in the leadup to that race.”

He also had been suffering from a knee injury for over a month, which maybe have been a blessing in disguise, as it forced him to forgo a large part of his training, jogging, and concentrate on race walk training only.

The time was also a World U20 Championships qualifier. “It is a big goal – I have it marked on the calendar,” said Beacroft, but he knows there is tremendous depth chasing those two Australian team places and some of them were on show today.

“Those guys (today) are extraordinary walkers. We are so lucky to have, in my age group and the one above, a group walking real quick times. Everyone is coming through. It is so good for the sport.”

Results:

MEN U20 10,000m: Isaac Beacroft HIL 41:48.76, Bailey Housden QLD 41:57.48, Kodi Clarkson ACT 45:31.00, Miles Ashby MIN 49:55.40, Joel Byatt GIR 50:52.34

MEN Open 10,000m: Isaac Beacroft HIL 41:48.76, Bailey Housden QLD 41:57.48, Jack McGinniskin MIN 43:59.83, Kodi Clarkson ACT 45:31.00, Miles Ashby MIN 49:55.40

Allanah Pitcher Open women 10,000m walk

After a busy year, which was capped off with competing at the 2023 World Championships, Central Coast’s Allanah Pitcher (SYU) was uncertain how the race would go.

“At this point in the season, you don’t really know where you are sitting,” said Pitcher. “Training has been going well so I knew we’d be on for something quick, but I was not really sure if quick would mean sub-46 minutes or 47 or 48.”

Pitcher gave us an insight into her race plan.

“The first 10 laps I like to keep it comfortable, see how the pace is going and what the race is doing, and let them take care of themselves. Then from 15 laps I started going for it. Today I was excited approaching those last 15 laps as I knew I had a lot left in me.”

Pitcher received good competition early from former NSW junior star, a two-time World Junior competitor and now based in Queensland - Tayla Billington. But Pitcher pulled away to win in 46:02.81, from Billington with 46:54.49.

It was an excellent time for Pitcher, the second fastest of her career. Her pathway to National team representative in in 2024 is different than her 2023 campaign at the world championships which was over 35km. For Paris Olympics, and the World Race Walking Teams Championship in April, it will be a more speed focused approach - dropping down to the only Olympic events on the program – the 20km walk and 10km teams race.

Results

WOMEN Open 10,000m: Allanah Pitcher SYU 46:02.81, Tayla Billington QLD 46:54.49, Sienna Pitcher MIN 50:58.27, Bridget Bell MIN 52:36.44

Sienna Pitcher U20 women 10,000m walk

Matching the achievement of the Saville sisters, Jane and Natalie in the ‘90s, Allanah’s younger sister, Sienna Pitcher claimed the under-20 10,000m walk title by three minutes in a solid time of 50:58.27.

“I started here not expecting too much, but I’ve done better that I ever expected,” said Sienna.

“It was a bit daunting with all the older kids.

“Time was okay - I broke the 51-minute barrier and I feel now I should be able to go under 50 minutes.”

Although only 15, her goal is a World U20 Championships qualifying time of 49:30, which she feels should be achievable this summer. She will be young enough for not just the 2024 World U20s, but also the 2026 championships.

Results

WOMEN U20 10,000m: Sienna Pitcher MIN 50:58.27, Aiva Pinches ADM 53:56.29, Chelsea Roberts RIV 54:01.69

Jack McGinniskin Men Open 10,000m walk

First open NSW athlete across the line was Central Coast’s Jack McGinniskin (MIN) clocking a PB of 43:59.83. It continued his best season yet, which has yield PBs over 5000m walk, 20km Walk and now his third consecutive in the 10,000m walk.

David Tarbotton for Athletics NSW

Image: Isaac Beacroft (courtesy of David Tarbotton)