Paige Campbell continues her world championships form with State 3000m title

10 November 2019

Paige Campbell continues her world championships form with State 3000m title

Her last race was a personal best on the world’s biggest stage – at the IAAF World Championships, and one month on, Paige Campbell continued that terrific form last night, defending her NSW 3000m title at the State Championships held at Sydney Olympic Park Athletics Centre warmup track.

The race was setup perfectly by former world junior championship finalists, Beth Croft (SYU) who piloted the field for the first three laps in the windy conditions. When she stepped off the track, the paced continued to be pushed by Croft’s 2016 world junior championship teammate Georgia Winkcup (UTN) who a month ago competed at the IAAF World Championships. There was still a large pack behind Winkcup and the race remained in the balance, until with two laps remaining Paige Campbell (SYU) seized control, and showing the form that took her to second in the national 5000m championship in March, and running away with the event clocking 9:15.49 for a four second win.

“I was keen just to get the win tonight,” said Campbell who revealed her tactics post-race. “I knew it was not going to be fast due to the wind. I’m not the best kicker so I knew I had to go early. I think I went at about 800m and tried to build from there. I’ve seen Lauren (Reid who was third) kick and Georgia can definitely kick.”

Winkcup continued her strong 2019 year, hitting the line in a 14 seconds PB time of 9:19.72, to comfortable claim silver.

“It was a lot easier than a steeplechase but I feel a little underdone but no matter what it hurt. Fantastic to have that pace (from Beth Croft).

“My race plan was thrown out the window, probably much to what I imagine will be Liddy’s disgust (her coach Ben Liddy),” said Winkcup. “I kind of hoped to go with the rhythm and try and kick if I have anything left. I was really happy with how it worked out today.”

Another recreational runner transformation is occurring with the continued progression of bronze medallist, Lauren Reid (TRT). From no where she made the 1500m final at the Australian team trials for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. Last night she placed third in 9:21.21.

“I’m really happy with the performance,” she said. “I think it might be my first if not second 3000m race.”

She realised the quality of the competition.

“I’d always prefer to be in a fast race coming last, rather than a slow race coming first so I was humbled to be running up against those girls.”

At those Commonwealth Games trials, Reid ran 2:03.81 for 800m, 4:14 for 1500m and last month was third in the Melbourne Half Marathon in an impressive 72:38. But what is her best distance?

“I haven’t quite worked out what the sweet spot is. I’m going to try and give 1500m a shot as I haven’t focused on that.”

There were other notable performances from fourth placegetter Sarah Marvin (SYU). A talented junior, she compiled an impressive series of performances over winter and is transferring that form to the track, clocking 9:25.01, slicing 29 seconds from her 3000m PB. There was also a four second PB for 15-year-old Nicola Hogg (UTN), clocking 9:50.67.

It was great to see two of Australia’s world championship representatives in action, just one month after competing in Doha.

“I love this race, I’ve run every year for the last five years,” said Campbell. “I think I won the B race five years ago. I think it is good to get an early race in and I hadn’t actually raced in Europe (due to an injury).”

A similar situation for Georgia Winkcup.

“Liddy (her coach) was open to allowing me to doing it if I wanted too. He was super supportive for me getting in a race early season and keeping it rolling, especially in an Olympic year. I had just over three weeks off (following the world championships.”

What a video of the event and images of the race at https://www.facebook.com/AthleticsNSW/

Full results http://www.nswathletics.info/liveresults/2019/nsw_3k/

It was a tremendous evening of distance running with women’s 3000m races down to E grade. Athletics NSW official Dave Higgins pointed out there were 38 qualifying times for next March’s Australian Junior Championships in the four age groups for boys and girls U18, U17, U16 and U15.

David Tarbotton for Athletics NSW

Image: Paige Campbell (courtesy of David Tarbotton)