Launceston Ten all-time greatest winner Liam Adams has warned rivals that his body is in better shape for Sunday’s race than any of the three past wins.
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“I’m feeling pretty good this time. The last couple of years going into the race I’ve been a little bit sick,” he said.
“This is the first time I have been quite healthy. Training hasn’t been as strong as previous years, but I still think I should be able to run well.”
The one-time asthmatic had previously suffered a spate of chest colds and coughs despite repeatedly still crossing the line first.
“I just got a little bit of a chest infection a few times before the race and could feel it in the cold,” he said.
“So I think it was just the previous training which got me those strong results.”
The Rio Olympian has no fear of adjusting from the 42.195km marathon to 10km distance.
The record for 2011, 2014 and last year’s 10km wins in addition to a second in 2013 remains a motivating factor to secure a historic further unprecedented fourth title.
“I feel there is definitely an aspect of that,” Adams said.
“I am hoping the fact that I have won so many means that I should be in good stead for a good result and hopefully have that advantage over the others.” But Adams said this year had “absolute quality” running in the field.
David McNeill, who ran one of Australia’s quickest 10km times ever at Rio, Ben St Lawrence, who is current national 10km record holder, and Launceston hopeful Josh Harris, coming off qualifying for a World Championship, are among his main rivals.
“I’m sure Josh will particularly be running on a big high on Sunday,” Adams said.
The homegrown product has his greatest chance to improve on a personal best sixth place, finishing 41 seconds behind Adams in 2014.
“Confidence is a big one for me because I will be going out with a new belief than I’ve had before,” Harris said.
“Although 10kms is not my ideal distance, I’ll still be looking at having a bit of a breakthrough on the roads.”
Harris is overlooking the less favourable short course and focusing on his advantages entering his 11th race.
“It’s one of my favourite races ever and I’ve competed in every one – the first I was about 17 years old,” he said.
“So to get elite runners from the mainland, just 2km from my house, is something I am lucky to have.”
Andrew Mathieson
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
