But the 23-year-old from Launceston covered the distance in 30.06.

But he was willing to forgo that goal after that time was good enough for him to finish sixth, and be crowned Tasmania's 10-kilometre champion.

Harris said the fact he was able to mix it with the pointy end of the field (winner Liam Adams finished in 29.25) was the real exciting part for him.

``There was a big group of us, with the Kenyans and Liam who took off a little bit ahead, and then there was a group of about 10 of us, who stuck together the whole way,'' he said.

``I was at the front of the group most of the way, but that 30-minutes goal was just slowly slipping away and I had to have a big finish to get there, which I didn't quite.

``To be in the mix coming up the straight was excellent and was a great sign that my training is getting there and I can compete with some of these elite guys.

``For second to be so close to me going up the straight I'm really happy with that.

``I'm only young compared to some of those guys and I'm getting better with each race.''

This year's performance bettered his mark of 31.25 in 2013 when he finished 14th.

Harris's next assignment is a half-marathon on the Gold Coast in three weeks time, and he said yesterday's race was the perfect preparation for that.