Australian Masters Athletics Championships Brisbane

Athletes from Byron Bay trekked north to compete in the Australian Masters Athletics Championships from 1 - 4 April held in Brisbane.

Lisa Thompson kicked the weekend off in the 5000m on the track, resuming her return to racing post baby. The heat proved to be the hardest battle rather than the distance but she finished to take home the gold in the Women’s 35 age group.

Our middle distance team stepped onto the track next with Peter Link, Josh Thompson and Caroline Bailey racing over the 800m. Pete Link got the inspiration rolling with an epic sit and kick race to claim the gold and a new pb along with it (2.12). Josh Thompson found himself in a deep field full of talent and narrowly missed the medals, finishing 4th but running a pb of 2.10. Finally Caroline Bailey hit the track running an impeccably paced race with even splits to take the bronze in a season’s best of 2.41.

The team was represented in the field in these championships with Jason Crethar dusting off the shot put and discus after a couple of decades on the sidelines. In his first competition Jason finished 7th in the men’s 50+ discus and 6th in the Shot Put.

Rounding out the weekend Josh Thompson and Peter Link finished with the 1500m as Pete chased double gold. Pete took the field on leading from the gun and was unstoppable as he took the gold in 4.30. Josh Thompson found himself in a tactical and bunched race with the lead interchanging each lap, eventually running 4.25 to claim the silver.

Congratulations to all athletes.

Full Results:

W35+ - Lisa Thompson
- 5000m (1st) (21.28)
- 8km Cross Country (2nd) (43.00)

W50+ - Caroline Bailey
- 800m (3rd) (2.41)
- 8km Cross Country (2nd) (42.59)

M35+ - Josh Thompson
- 800m (4th) (2.10 pb)
- 1500m (2nd) (4.25)

M50+ - Jason Crethar
- Discus (7th) (28.28m)
- Shot Put (6th) (9.83m)

M55+ - Peter Link
- 800m (1st) (2.12 pb)
- 1500m (1st) (4.30)