Rising stars White and Mahon claim 108th NSW Novice Titles at St George Classic

23 May 2021

Rising stars White and Mahon claim 108th NSW Novice Titles at St George Classic

Two athletes on the rise, Annabel White and Max Mahon have claimed the 2021 NSW Novice titles conducted yesterday in glorious conditions at the St George Classic held around the iconic Scarborough Park in Ramsgate

The two winners of 108th edition of the NSW Novice Championships typified what the event represents, athletes on the rise with great potential. Dozens of previous winners, often in their teens, have gone on to compete at the Olympics including names like Albie Thomas, Eloise Wellings, Jenny Blundell, Madeline Heiner, Kerryn McCann and Dave Power, to name a few.

WOMEN Novice 10km

In the women’s race, Run Crew’s Annabel White, 21, won by over three minutes clocking 34:27, from Kembla Joggers pair Claire Rayner second in 37:54 and Lauren Mitchell, third with 39:00.

White really enjoyed the course and atmosphere.

“I found running through the back ovals good, but the forest was quite enjoyable,” said White. “In my head I was thinking ‘just get to there (the bush section)’. It was also nice and cool in the shade.”

The course was four laps of a 2.5km circuit.

“Doing laps was enjoyable as I had family and friends calling out to me.”

This is all very new for White, a real novice, who was embarking on her first cross country race outside of school and had only started running competitively late last year.

“I’ve been running all my life, but only competing since Launceston in December last year.

“I had an influence from my boyfriend who didn’t push me into competition - I was just gently encouraged.

“We have such a good community in running and lots of our friends run and we see them every day to run with. It is such a good thing mentally and physically.”

White has made significant progress in a short time and this year already has run 16:45 for 5000m on the track, and was fifth in the Sydney 10 clocking an impressive 34:16.

She is in her last semester of studying International Global Studies at Sydney University and might go to the US to compete a masters or “as my parents call it get a real job”.

MEN Novice 10km

UTS athlete Max Mahon was a comfortable winner of the men’s race in 30:11, from Martin Cooper (SYU) with 31:07 and Leo Peterson (UTN) with 31:15.

Mahon was planning on taking the race conservatively.

“I just went out pretty relaxed today after feeling unwell last week, and run it more like a workout - that was the suggestion of my coach Ben St Lawrence,” said Mahon.

But Mahon felt okay early and ran away from a small pack that had formed. Early on he was already ahead of the splits of the open men’s 10km winner Kieren Tall who clocked 29:49, but eventually Mahon plateaued and finished with a tremendous time of 30:11.

“I was happy with 30:11 on this course. When you get close to Kieren’s time, you know you are in good shape,” said Mahon.

Very similar to the women’s winner Annabel White, Mahon is a major talent on the rise with limited history and background in the sport.

As a junior his best was about 8:50 for 3000m.

“I’ve only taken running seriously since I graduated from high school. During COVID I went from a 16:20 to 14:20 5k athlete. All my times since last year have gone down by over a minute.”

He explains his progress.

“I’ve only really got fit in the last year since I joined Run Crew and under Ben (St Lawrence) it has been really good training and running with Kieren (Tall), Tom do Canto, Ed Goddard and Ben himself. They are people to aspire to be like in your own training and racing in a few years. They are role models. It is a great group and atmosphere I have found myself in right now.”

Mahon is in his second year at UTS and may head to the US later in the year to continue his studies and racing.

OTHER EVENTS

In the open men’s 10km, former Novice champion (2018) Kieren Tall (RCR) ran away with the win in 29:49, while Belinda Martin (ILL) won the women’s race in 34:39 from Lexy Gilmour (SUT, 34:51)) who is preparing for her marathon debut on the Gold Coast.

The first cross country event of the year was a major success, thanks to the great host club St George who are celebrating 100 years in 2021. Nathan Breen and his band of volunteers work closely with Athletics NSW to made it a great day for athletes and supporters.

Full results http://www.nswathletics.info/liveresults/2021/nsw_novice/

Athletics NSW social media includes a highlights race video and will display images progressively.

David Tarbotton for Athletics NSW

Image: Annabel White on the way to victory in the women’s Novice Championship (image courtesy of David Tarbotton)