NOONAN KEEPS UP HOT FORM AT AUSTRALIAN HALF MARATHON CHAMPS
Published Tue 15 Aug 2023
Sinead Noonan (Rafael Baugh) continued her blazing hot form for WA over the weekend at the Australian Half Marathon Championships, as she collected an Australian bronze medal and broke a 31-year-old state record.
Adding to her highly impressive collection of records including the WA State 5000m (2021) and the WA All-comers 10,000m (2021), Noonan secured the new WA State Half Marathon Record in a time of 1:13:30. Noonan’s strong performance eclipses the previous record of 1:13:53 which was set by Karen Gobby in 1992, also on the Gold Coast.
Lining up against World Champion athletes like Genieve Gregson and Ellie Pashley, Noonan was able to continue her incredible patch of form and mix it with the best. Buoyed by recent success, including second in the Gold Coast Marathon Southern Cross University 10km Run in July, as well as finishing fifth at the McGrath Launceston Running Festival 10km in June, Noonan delivered something special on the Gold Coast.
Reflecting on her Championships podium performance, Noonan was “honoured to break a state record, especially one that has stood for a long time.”
“It was a great feeling crossing the line knowing I’d lowered the record time and also run a PB.” Noonan added.
“[I felt] relief and then elation. It’s the first time I’ve been on the podium at a National Championships event, and to be standing beside two distinguished athletes in Gen Gregson and Ellie Pashley, it was pretty special.”
“I’d also had a little battle for third place with Tara Palm, who is a previous training partner from my home city of Adelaide, a very decorated athlete herself and someone I’ve looked up to for a long time. So, it was a special day.”
Noonan also went home with a silver medal as part of the Open Women’s contingent at the Championship. The first three athletes across the line from each state collect points towards the team medals, with Noonan being joined by Karen Blaney (Canning Districts Athletics Club, Ben Green) and Jules Bennett (Rafael Baugh). Blaney secured seventh in Australia with a time of 1:17:43, whilst Bennett placed not far behind in 11th in a time of 1:19:27. Anna Roberts (Master’s Athletics WA, Rafael Baugh) rounded out the competition for the WA Team, placing 26th and doing the state proud with a time of 1:36:38.
WA’s Men replicated the women’s success with a team silver medal of their own. Leading the charge was Dean Menzies (Master’s Athletics WA, Rafael Baugh) who collected a top ten finish placing 8th in a time of 1:07:35. Joel Crossing (Rafael Baugh) claimed a new personal best of 1:09:20 and 13th place. Whilst 2018 Para Marathon World Cup representative Matthew Felton (T46, Rafael Baugh) rounded out the points for WA men’s team with 36th in a time of 1:18:08.
To find out more about the Australian Half Marathon Championships head to the Athletics Australia Event page now.
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By Dylan Gane, Athletics West
Posted on 15 August 2023
