NSW Men’s Cross Country: Nipperess wins a classic

10 October 2020

NSW Men’s Cross Country: Nipperess wins a classic

With one of the best fields ever assembled the 123rd men’s open State cross country championship didn’t disappoint, as just nine seconds separated the medallists, all of whom have raced for Australia.

A fast-early pace was pushed by dual Olympian Ben St Lawrence (RunCrew) stringing out the field resulting in a lead pack of six forming after 1km.

“I didn’t actually intend to go to the front, but when I ended up there and was feeling quite good early on, I thought we may as well make this honest,” St Lawrence said.

The pack comprised St Lawrence, dual Commonwealth Games steeplechaser James Nipperess (Sydney Uni), World Uni Games representative Ed Goddard (UTN), Tom do Canto (RunCrew), Kieren Tall (RunCrew), Aaron Spiessberger-Parker (BAN), with another race contenders, world championship marathon representative Brad Milosevic, in eighth.

The strong pace and warm conditions, around 26 degrees, took their toll on the pack as they gradually dropped off, leaving just St Lawrence, Nipperess and Goddard with just 3km (one lap) to compete the course.

“The pace was pretty even the whole way round, we worked as a group to push it,” Goddard said.

“Ben did a lot of the work and it stayed that way until the last lap. We were watching each other, as it was pretty tactical. We all put on some surges on the last lap. Ben first, then me, then Nipper. Nipper and I dualled a bit before he kicked away with 200m remaining, he was very strong.”

Nipperess explained his plan.

“I respected the conditions and the class of my fellow athletes St Lawrence, what an athlete two-time Olympian and very strong, and Ed, very strong over the longer distances. I wasn’t going to take the lead from them until I had half a chance. I was patient as a pair of Mormons on their honeymoon. It was a real tactical run by me and I had to be very considered in what I did.”

St Lawrence was gallant too

“I could tell we were dropping a few people but Nipper and Ed were just too comfortable and then they had one extra gear. I tried to reel them in with one kilometre to go and thought I was making up ground, but it was not quite there,” he said.

Over the last 50m Nipperess was sprinting like Usain Bolt, finishing in a very impressive time of 30:12, with the silver going to Ed Goddard 30:17 and Ben St Lawrence claiming the bronze with 30:23. Not far behind was Tom do Canto in fourth 30:46 and Brad Milosevic 30:52.

You would have expected Goddard and St Lawrence to be stronger over 10,000m than Nipperess a steeplechase specialist. How does he account for his great form?

“Since the week the nationals were cancelled (in March) I’ve done a very good block of mileage, the best in my life and I’ve got to keep consistent and keep rolling. Over 30 weeks consistent aerobic work.”

He has likely been motivated over winter by his very impressive 2019/20 season clocking 28:55 at Zatopek, then in his last track race (in February in NZL) just missing his 3000m steeplechase PB, clocking 8:33.99.

“I have some unfinished business from last summer,” he said.

Goddard was pleased with his performance, a marked improvement on his seventh in the Short Course Cross country.

“I was hoping my winter speed or lack of, would pull me through. I felt a lot more comfortable over the longer distance, as I have more time to settle in.”

St Lawrence certainly gave it his all.

“It is a nice way to finish a race completely spent, know I couldn’t have really done any more.”

He was particularly chasing the title which has eluded him, mainly because he has not raced the event often, usually on Olympic or world championship duty overseas.

“I’ve never won a State Cross and I was really pushing today to win, but that is all I had today Ed and Nipper were just too strong. We kept the pace honest, so the fittest man won today and that was Nipper. It was just great to be out there racing hard and really grateful, as many people aren’t able to race at this time under these conditions, so we are grateful.”

RunCrew dominated the team event, winning gold and silver.

David Tarbotton for Athletics NSW

Image: men open race L to R Ben St Lawrence, Ed Goddard & James Nipperess