Zatopek champion Rose Davies has continued her form this season, taking out the 5000m at the Box Hill Burn with a front running performance of 15:23.64.
In windy conditions at Hagenauer Reserve, Davies took victory by three seconds from Calli Thackery (15:26.87) after chasing the World Championships qualifying standard of 15:10.00.
South Australia’s Caitlin Adams was third in 15:36.36.
The men’s race was set up as a qualifying attempt for Stewart McSweyn at the 13:13.50 qualifying mark, which has only been bettered during the qualifying period by Olli Hoare (indoors, with his 13:09.96 performance in December).
Assisted through the first three kilometres by training partner Brett Robinson in 8:01, McSweyn increased the pace with a 63 second lap to break away from Sam McEntee. However, at the four kilometre mark McSweyn stepped off the track while in the lead, with breathing difficulties.

McEntee went on for a comfortable victory in 13:36.37 from Jack Bruce (13:46.17) and James Hansen (13:49.82).
Earlier in the program the 1000m races took centre stage. National 800m record holder Peter Bol took a commanding victory in in 2:19.30 from Brad Mathas (2:21.36) and Matthew Hussey (2:22.84), slowing into the headwind down the home straight.
The anticipated encounter between Olympian Georgia Griffith and up-and-coming Claudia Hollingsworth didn’t eventuate in the women’s race, with Griffith falling within the first 100m of the race, suffering a cut to her knee. She did however return later in the program to pace the women’s 5000m.
Hollingsworth ran a mature race after the fall, settling behind Lucinda Rourke (third) before setting sail for home in a 2:42.78 victory. Amy Robinson was second in 2:46.53, with Rourke clocking 2:54.98.
Large fields were in action in the graded 5000m races that followed the elite action, with the men’s B race being won by Seth O’Donnell in 14:04.98. In second place Archie Noakes recorded a world junior qualifying performance of 14:05.91.
A photo gallery of over 150 pictures is available here. Free high res downloads when you subscribe to our mailing list.
Recent posts:
- Sandringham claims women’s title as Western Athletics prevails in men’s at Sandown RelaysThe iconic Sandown Relays returned to the wide turns and long straights of Sandown Racecourse on Saturday, with overcast skies giving way to fine conditions by the afternoon’s close. In the women’s 5×6.2km relay, Sandringham claimed victory with a consistent team performance, turning the tables on their rivals from Jells Park. Just over a minute… Read more: Sandringham claims women’s title as Western Athletics prevails in men’s at Sandown Relays
- Oates smashes course record at NSW Cross Country ChampionshipsThe 127th edition of the NSW Athletics Cross Country Championships was held in glorious winter sunshine at the iconic Willandra course on the NSW South Coast yesterday, with Bronte Oates delivering one of the most dominant runs in the event’s recent history. Still just 20 years old, Bronte Oates from UTS Norths produced a commanding… Read more: Oates smashes course record at NSW Cross Country Championships
- Linden Hall storms to Stockholm victory in career best 3000m performanceLinden Hall has added another chapter to her 2025 season, powering to victory in the 3000m at the Stockholm Diamond League in a personal best time of 8:30.01 to claim her first ever Diamond League win over the distance. In a race defined by tactics and tenacity, Hall surged to the front in the closing… Read more: Linden Hall storms to Stockholm victory in career best 3000m performance
- Deep fields at inaugural Albert Park 5kmA thousand runners took to the road for Athletics Victoria’s inaugural 5km offering at Albert Park. Run over essentially the same course as the Lakeside10, except with just one out-and-back lap rather than two, the depth of Victorian club running was on show with 76 men breaking 15 minutes and 46 women breaking 18 minutes.… Read more: Deep fields at inaugural Albert Park 5km
- Western Athletics and Box Hill take out Jells Park RelaysWestern Athletics’s men’s team prevailed with a strong final three legs of the 6x6km relay to claim a convincing victory at the Athletics Victoria XCR Jells Park Relays. With three of the top 10 fastest performers of the day it was quality and depth that led to victory by 76 seconds from the Bendigo Bats,… Read more: Western Athletics and Box Hill take out Jells Park Relays