Summary: <p>The Sydney Track Classic headlined the national athletics action over the weekend and Sean analyses the meet and provides his view on the performances. Georgia Griffith discusses her race in the 800m while we talk through some of the key events including Jordan Gusman and Melissa Duncan winning the Aus 5000m Champs. The Men’s 3000m Steeple was a highlight event with Matthew Clarke and Ben Buckingham placing 2nd and 3rd in breakthrough performances. In the sprints Jack Hale had another win, while Celeste Mucci stamped herself as a hurdling force with an impressive display over the 100m.</p> <p><br></p> <p>In a wrap of the High Velocity Club action we hear from Rachel Limburg, Ellen Pettit, Ayo Ore, Anotony James, Lateisha Willis, Michael Hansford, Kiara Reddingius, Lawson Power, Ashleigh Palmer and Morgan Mitchell about their respective events.</p> <p><br></p> <p>The Victorian Mile Championship saw wins to Natalie Rule and Matt Ramsden and we hear from both. Catriona Bissett stepped up for her first mile and describes just what it felt like and we hear from Isaac Hockey about his first Open Victorian Championship win. Sarah Billings and Shanie Landen talk about their respective wins in the VMC 800m and we wrap the segment with Ethan Sinn talking tactics and his enjoyment of the VMC and middle distance running in general.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Knox AC’s Daniel Milone delivered a qualifier for the 2019 Global Games, a competition that will attract hundreds of the world’s best Intellectually impaired athletes to Brisbane in October. Down the Track is there as Daniel is given the good news that he’s finally achieved the qualification standard at VMC Meet 4.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Celeste Mucci was also in action at VMC Meet 4, once again tackling the 800m. Acknowledging this is the weakest of her Heptathlon events, Celeste describes how she needs to improve over the distance and what sort of times will make her more competitive as an international heptathlete. Celeste also discusses her training schedule, start of University studies and plans for 2019.</p> <p><br></p> <p>In the most talked about transition in Australian Athletics, Morgan Mitchell and her coach Liz Mathews talk candidly about her training and the new demands middle distance racing have brought. We hear from Morgan about her plans and how she is adapting to the pacing and tactical skills she needs to be competitive.</p> <p><br></p> <p>In a Wrap of other results Sean talks about Sasha Zhoya’s results from France and provides a wrap of other Australian performances overseas. In VAL news Tim goes through the Keilor Gift results including Jara Konteh’s first Gift win under new coach Scott Rowsell and beach sprinter Bree Masters taking the women’s crown off what some considered a generous mark. There is also lots of discussion around the prize money at this year’s Stawell Gift and the statement made by the Northern Grampians Shire Council.</p> <p><br></p> <p>The AV Shield Final came to a conclusion with Athletics Essendon taking out Division 1 for Women and Glenhuntly producing a three-peat in the top men’s division. We also summarise results from the Warburton Up & Running event and Wangaratta Marathon and Half Marathon results.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Lots of good stories once again in this episode of Down the Track.</p>
