It was a night for milers at the Victorian 5000m Championships at Box Hill, with Sarah Billings and Lachlan Herd claiming line honours.
Billings, who has a 4:09 1500m personal best from last summer, was making her debut over 5000m on the track. The 24-year-old ran patiently in a lead back that gradually decreased in size and only took the lead down the final straight, passing 2019 world championship representative Melissa Duncan, who had made a strong run for home with 300m remaining.
Billings clocked 16:33.82 to Duncan’s 16:34.70, while Rachel McGuinness claimed bronze in 16:40.48, having led the field for much of the final stages of the race. 
The men’s race was a tactical affair in the early stages with a large field in contention. At the pointy end of the race it was 3:44 1500m runner, Lachlan Herd, who came to the fore, proving too strong for visiting Queenslander Liam Boudin to win in 14:11.21. Boudin clocked 14:11.85 while Dale Carroll (14:12.27) and Craig Appleby (14:12.89) claimed the minor medals in the Victorian titles.
The junior men’s race was taken out by Charlie Rogers, who wound up the race from a pace that was initially just under 16 minutes for the distance, to win by 13 seconds in 15:04.47. Jhye Hadfield (15:17.68) and Aidan Velten (15:19.81) filled the podium.
The junior women’s race saw 14-year-old Piper Gay record a strong front-running victory in a time of 17:17.26, with Fieke Van Der Kamp (17:33.41) and Imogen Baker (18:07.41) taking silver and bronze in a race held in conjunction with the women’s B race.
Photo Gallery
149 photos from the Victorian 5000m Championships are available in our photo gallery.
Free high res download when you subscribe to our mailing list. 
Need new spikes?
Australia’s largest range. Fast & free delivery nation-wide.
Latest articles:
- Waring and Downie winners at Hanging Rock
The start of Athletics Victoria’s winter season was no picnic, with a challenging course testing runners. Andre Waring and Katherine Downie handled the conditions best with comfortable victories to kick start their winters. A deceptive cross country course held over 3km and 5km laps encompassed flat, smooth sections around the Hanging Rock racecourse and dry,… Read more: Waring and Downie winners at Hanging Rock - “I Want to Be Competitive” – Andy Buchanan Eyes World Championships
Andy Buchanan isn’t just heading to Tokyo to race: he’s going there to compete. The Australian marathon record holder will lead a six-strong team of marathoners at the 2025 World Athletics Championships, determined to prove he belongs not just in the field, but in the fight. “I don’t just want to be known as someone… Read more: “I Want to Be Competitive” – Andy Buchanan Eyes World Championships - Rizzo wins Stawell Gift
A record crowd lined the famed Central Park straight on Easter Monday as the Stawell Gift delivered everything it’s known for – drama, legacy, and elite athleticism on Australia’s most historic grass track. Photos by Luke Hemer courtesy of Stawell Gift In the Women’s Gift, Olympic semi-finalist Bree Rizzo stunned the field and etched her… Read more: Rizzo wins Stawell Gift - Gout draws Stawell Gift favourite Evans in semi-final
Australian 200m record holder Gout Gout has it all ahead of him to make the the final of the Stawell Gift after drawing short-priced favourite John Evans in his semi-final. Photos by Luke Hemer courtesy of Stawell Gift Evans was the fastest qualifier from Saturday’s heats clocking 12.14 seconds off his 9.75m mark, while Gout… Read more: Gout draws Stawell Gift favourite Evans in semi-final - Gout Gout awarded Betty Cuthbert medal after windy 19.84 200m
The Australian Athletics Championships in Perth had already produced fireworks, but the grand finale was reserved for two of the sport’s brightest stars – a teenage phenom rewriting history and an Olympic finalist turning hometown hero. Gout Gout and Peter Bol headlined an unforgettable final day that crackled with energy, records, and rising hopes ahead… Read more: Gout Gout awarded Betty Cuthbert medal after windy 19.84 200m
