TWO first-time winners were crowned yesterday as 2014 Burnie Ten champions in the 30th anniversary of the prestigious 10-kilometre race.
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Victorian David McNeill crossed the line first in the men’s race in a personal best time of 29:05 while Dutch runner Susan Kuijken triumphed in the women’s event in 32:56, in her first attempt at the 10km distance.
McNeill, a 2012, London Olympic 5000m representative beat home his training partner Brett Robinson (29:20) with Liam Adams third.
It was McNeill’s second attempt at the race and made up for the disappointment of his last performance in 2006, when as a young 20-year-old he recorded a time of just under 31 minutes for a top-10 finish.
He has spent about seven years competing in the US since and yesterday returned to beat home a quality field which included fellow Australian representatives in Adams, Harry Summers and last year’s winner Cameron Page.
Kuijken, 28, is now based in Melbourne and recently won a 5000m bronze medal in this year’s European championships in Switzerland.
In a sprint to the line she just edged out two-time winner and defending women’s champion Nikki Chapple who won last weekend’s Melbourne Marathon.
Race director Rick Ferguson was rapt with the turnout of runners and spectators.
‘‘It was fantastic and we had a brilliant day,’’ he said.
‘‘Weather-wise it was a little bit overcast and then came out nice and sunny – really good weather and a great receptive crowd watching.’’
A field of 3142 runners greeted the starters gun in this year’s race.