Yesterday we took our fingers to the keyboard to give you the GNW 100 mile preview. Today’s it’s the turn of the other races, including the 100km, 50 mile and 50kms – the two new kids on the block.
First up, we look at the 100km contenders.
The 100km race looks like a cracking battle between two big guns in Victorian Paul Munro and local Sydney lad and former 100 miler winner, Tim Locke. Paul’s been pretty quiet the last few years, but his results speak for themselves. His last major win was over at the Great Naseby 100 miler in New Zealand where he ran a staggering 14hrs 37mins for the miler. He’s also a former winner of the Surf coast Century back in 2015, winning that in 8hrs 17mins.
Tim won the miler here back in 2016 with a time of 21hrs 26mins. Since then he also finished joint second at the GSER 100 miler in 33:49. Tim will have the benefit of course knowledge over Paul, but both have cracking leg speed to run a fast time on Saturday.
Alex Ramsay looks a good each way bet for the podium, with a 12hr UTA to his name last year, along with third place at the Alpine Challenge 100 miler back in 2016.
Dave Graham makes a welcome return to this race after a quiet year or so. He’s got a sub 11 UTA to his name, finishing just outside the top ten back in 2016. He also finished second here in the miler with a sub 24hr run in 2014.
Canberra runner, Dave Baldwin will be there or thereabouts. A solid and consistent performer at Six Foot Track and UTA over the years, expect him to be right up there for a top five place.
Central Coast runner, Geoff Isbister kicked off the year with a cracking sub 11:30 finish at UTA before winning the 50km Elephant Trail Race a few weeks back too. In that same race James Eather was second, making him a likely lead runner here as well.
Local Terrigal lad, Jason Stafford makes the jump from the 50km distance to 100km after some good performances this year, including a top ten at the UTA 50km.
In the ladies 100km, just a few ladies competing I’m afraid, so ones to watch out for include:
Julie Quinn, multiple UTA winner and podium placer takes the line here. This year she finished fifth at Six Foot Track and looks a good bet for the win.
Julie Brock finished seventh here at the 100km last year, expect her to feature here.
In the newly created 50 miler, the two likely winners could be:
Katy Anderson will likely win the ladies race here. She recently finished 12th at the Leadville 100 miler over in the US, along with 12th at Badwater too. Last year she won Coast2Kosci too.
Scott Baker looks probably the strongest male runner in the 50 miler. He grabbed a second place in the 100km event back in 2016, as well as finishing fourth at the Buffalo Stampede ultra last year too.
And to the 50km event,
If Vlad Shatrov doesn’t win the men’s 50km then I’ll eat my arm. Current Six Foot Track champion (2018 and 2017) and winner of the 100km event here last year too. Matty Abel might have something to say about that however, so I won’t get the salt and pepper out just yet!
Ingrid Cleland looks good for the 50km ladies win with solid performances at the UTA 50km and Six Foot Track this year.
All the best to everyone starting this year, see you at Teralba Park at 5am!
