Zatopek 2009 (B - D Grade)
Moonee Valley Athletics Track, Aberfeldie
Thursday, 3 December 2009

With the main Zatopek 10,000 m track event to be held at Olympic Park a week later on 10 December 2009, our immediate attention turned first to the lower grade races which were conducted at Aberfeldie

The Coburg Harriers had a sole representative this year, which was down from the four that had competed the previous year. Competing for the club was elite level athlete Liam Magee who was chasing not only a personal best time but was seeking to break the club’s 35-39 record of 34:40 set almost 29 years ago by Ken Fraser at Olympic Park

Magee went into this race off the back of a club age group record 15:08 at the Victorian 5000 m Championships just over a week before. It was an effort that would result in the aggravation of an achilles injury that prevented Magee from adequately preparing for this 10,000 m track race

To race day and in overcast and at times cold conditions, at the gun Magee placed himself in the leading pack and together this group of four ran consistent laps through the early part. Despite feeling the pace was somewhat slow, Magee reached the halfway mark in 16:15 and felt he had enough in reserve to make an assault on the lead

Regrettably, the achilles injury started to play a major role with Magee having to ease the pace in order to finish the race and steadily lost step with the three leaders. Rather than stepping off, with true Coburg Harriers grit and determination Magee crossed the line in fourth place in 32:45.20 and a positive split of only fifteen seconds had he been able to maintain his halfway split. A gutsy effort and one Magee should be proud of

In an effort that saw Magee give up twelve years on the next youngest competitor in front of him, the performance shaved nearly two minutes off the previous club age record. Regrettably, as Magee’s previous effort at this distance at the Athletics Victoria 10,000 m track race did not go into milliseconds – along with all other competitors in that race – we will never know if Magee set a personal best. Arguably, it is likely this is the finest performance by a Coburg Harrier over this distance in 24 years

Magee now holds club records in the M35-39 age group at 1500 m, 3000 m, 5000 m, 10000 m and the Half Marathon. And should Magee stay fit, he has an opportunity at the last Victorian Milers Club of the summer in March next year of breaking his age group’s mile record also

Well done Liam from all your friends at the Coburg Harriers