McSweyn’s Melbourne-based rival James Hansen was the second Tasmanian home in fifth place in a highly competitive time of 30:57, with another Riverside High School product, teenager Sam Clifford, finishing ninth and Hobart’s Dejen Gebreselassie rounding out the top 10.

Hansen dedicated his best finish in the event to his grandfather, former Devonport and Launceston Gift winner Edward Morling, who died last week.

Clifford, 16, crossed the line in 31:49 and was impressed how he handled himself against the elite runners.

“I think it was just a bit more of a challenge than the 5km, there weren’t any spots that were safe and after eight or nine kilometres, the wind hits you in the face,” he said.

“I felt buggered at the end, I just tried to maintain my form and keep going.

“I was hoping for top ten or a PB, I just fell short of a PB, but I was in the top 10 and I knew it coming towards the end.

“I was so surprised that I timed it so well, they are a great bunch of guys and I need this type of competition.”

The Launceston runner said he will be back on the track next week with his focus on competing well at national level.

“Next weekend, I will have the Tasmanian All Schools and I will be running in the 3000m, 1500m and 800m.

“Ideally, I will be able to get into the 1500m and 3000m at nationals and possibly claim the double crown again.

“I will return to cross-country for the World Cross-Country Championships trials in January with the chance to go over to Denmark.”

Meriem Daoui, of Hobart, was the first Tasmanian and eight-placed female in 36:58, with Lynette Saint-John second (40:24) and Natasha Mapley third (42:42).

“Personally, it was not my fastest or best run, but it is basically my first race this year and I am happy to be back,” Daoui said.

“I was expecting the elite runners to break away, it was a very strong field and they ran a strong race and did very well.

“I was with them until the 2km mark and putting things into perspective, I haven’t been training much and last week was my first proper session.

“My goal was just to run 10km and I was just glad I was able to do 36:58.”

Grant Page, of Hobart, said an interrupted preparation affected his 15th-placed finish.

“My run was quite compromised to what I thought it would be,” he said.

“You always go in with these hopes that you can run a certain time, it did to plan, but I could tell I just didn’t have the fitness there after the calf tear I had six weeks ago.

“There were some great Tassie performances, Sammy Clifford just chipped away at it and rounded up some of the elite guys in in the second half.

“Dejen ran well to finish in the top 10 as well.”