Race Walker McMillen claims national junior title

13 Sept 2022

Race Walker McMillen claims national junior title

Sydney Pacific’s Lizzy McMillen continued her rise with an outstanding win in the Australian Winter Walking Championships in Melbourne on Sunday. She led a trio of NSW athletes crowned national champions including Sienna Pitcher and Sophie Polkinghorne.

During 2022 we have witnessed the progression of 18-year-old race walker Lizzy McMillen. In February and March she just missed selection in the Australian team for the World Race Walking Teams Championships and World U20 Championships. In most previous years, she would have been selected, but with Australia’s depth and quality in junior women’s race walking she just missed an opportunity to wear the green and gold.

Along the way her times have been tumbling. On the track over 10,000m she was third in the National U20 title in 48:58.32 minutes, then improved to 48:56.07 minutes for second in the Oceania open title in June.

On the road, she first dipped under 50 minutes in May, winning an invitation 10km walk in Melbourne in 49:56 minutes.

But last Sunday in Melbourne Lizzy McMillen stunned with a massive 10km road walking PB of 48:13, to win the Australian U20 10km Winter Walks title. She defeated NSW teammate Hannah Bolton (MIN) who clocked 52:41 – just 10 seconds short of her PB

Lizzy’s time was a 103 seconds PB and elevated her to number two junior in Australian behind only SA’s Olivia Sandery who was an outstanding fourth at the World U20 Championships in August. Lizzy is under-20 in 2023, but not age-eligible for the next World U20 Championships in 2024.

Just as outstanding was Sienna Pitcher (MIN) in the under-16 5km walk. Sienna clocked 24:41, defeating Asics Wests race walker Lyla Williams who registered a time of 27:03. Sienna’s time was faster than she has recorded both on the road or track for the distance. She is a member of the outstanding Central Coast race walking squad coached by Frank Overton. In 2022, Frank coached three athletes to the World Racewalking Team Championship and World Championships.

NSW’s third national champion was Paramatta’s Sophie Polkinghorne in the under-14 3km walk. She won by eight seconds over ACT’s Emma Grocott in a time of 15:14, with NSW’s Jessica Loring third in 15:27.

Sophie, who is coached by John Nilon, will also compete in the 800m and 1500m running events at the NSW All Schools next week.

David Tarbotton for Athletics NSW
Image: Lizzy McMillen (courtesy of David Tarbotton)