NSW Short Walks Review: NSW’s junior race walkers shine

22 May 2022

NSW Short Walks Review: NSW’s junior race walkers shine

NSW junior race walking stars on the rise, dominated the State Short Walks Championships at Chipping Norton on Sunday.

Overnight rain had resulted in a pool of water over part of the course restricting the race to a much shorter distance, resulting in many more troublesome turns. The open 20km athletes withdrew due to the concerns of soreness or injury, particularly as many had raced last week in Melbourne and were due to depart this week for the World Athletics Race Walking event in La Coruna in Spain – one of the biggest race walking events in the World. Similarly, entrants in the women’s open 15km walk withdrew from the race.

In the under-20 10km men’s, the talented Raven Pyda (WES) won comfortably in 54:03. The national 10,000m track silver medallists, was hampered in the race.
“I have had a tight hamstring for the last four days, so I took it a little easy today,” said Raven from the physio table after the race.
He will next race over 10,000m and 5000m on the track at the Oceania Championships in 10 days.
Second today was Winton Hills’ athlete Brendan Pospischil in a time of 61:48.

The women’s Under-20 10km walk included three of Australia’s brightest teenage talents on the start line. From the gun Elizabeth McMillen (SYP) was away strongly, going on to clock a fantastic 51:19 considering the conditions. In second was Emma Blanch (SYU) with 55:26. Mid-race Hannah Bolton (MIN) withdrew as a precaution due to the many additional turns on the course. Asics Wests’ Alannah Hickson claimed the bronze medal with 64:57.

Elizabeth McMillian was generally pleased with the performance.
“Not the best time but the conditions were rather hard with 40 turns so you can’t be pressed about the time but it felt good,” she said.
“My stride was not as good as I would like and might be in a little bit pain tomorrow.”
She next races at Oceania Championships in Mackay where she is keen to clock a PB.
Elizabeth is continuing a real purple patch of form. At the Nationals in late March, she smashed her track 10,000m PB clocking 48:58.32, to missed World U20 Championships by one place and just 21 seconds.
Last week she clocked 49:56 to win the 10km road race at the open Australian 35km walk championship, in Melbourne.
“I was glad to get under 50 again, not a PB but can’t get PBs every time,” said Elizabeth.
The last few months of performances have been remarkable for McMillen, considering her leadup.
“I’ve been coming back from bunion surgery seven months ago so I’m finally glad to be able to do 10km without any pain.”
“I‘ve been walking for a really long time so it is exciting to see good times start coming and racing against the top in Australia – I can’t believe it at times.”

Another in the NSW wave of junior race walking talent is Emma Blanch who was second today at Chipping Norton.
“I was feeling a bit flat today but it was more the constant turning on my shins and calves. It was good to at least get to race considering the weather,” said Emma.
She was third in Melbourne last week and is returning from illness.
“I was happy with last week’s third as I had a big month in April, with Track Nationals, Surf Life Saving Nationals and Australian Uni Games. I had a run-down illness so coming back from that I was happy to just get back to racing this week.”
Representing Wanda Beach at the Surf Life Saving Nationals, Emma won three medals in the 2km beach run and two 2x1km relays. She enjoys the beach as many of her running friends also participate. She also got more into surf with her father during lock down.
For Emma Blanch, it has also been a breakthrough six months. She spoke about her measured approach.
“Towards the end of last year I set myself a goal, if the time for Worlds was within reach I’m was going to try and achieve it. Then in January I raced the State 10,000m walk at Barden Ridge and felt strong so was looking forward to racing Allanah, Olivia and Elizabeth as they would pull me along.”
In February at the World Race Walking Teams Championships trials she was fantastic on the roads of Adelaide, clocking 51:52, and missing the Under-20 Australian team by one place.  
“I said to myself ‘it’s alright”, she recalled. Her great form continued winning the NSW U20 5000m walk title and onto the track nationals she clocked a brilliant 50:27.08 for 10,000m walk.
“I finally got that qualifying time which was the highlight for me,” said Emma. In any other year she would be on the World Junior team, but the current depth left her short.
Next year Emma will have a chance to chase National team selection for the World University Games, but will need to graduate to 20km. She will consider how she handles that with another sport commitment - netball.

Full results from the NSW Race Walking Championships https://results.nswathletics.org.au/2022/nsw_ShortWalks/
Images https://www.facebook.com/AthleticsNSW

David Tarbotton for Athletics NSW
Images: Elizabeth McMillen (image courtesy of David Tarbotton)