Sydney University athletes, Paige Campbell and Joe Burgess claimed gold in the 2018 NSW 3000m Championships at Homebush at the weekend.
Starting the race as favourite following recent strong performances, Paige lived up to expectations and took out the Women’s 3000m State Title. “I was going to sit for the last 500m but there wasn’t much pace on so I just went myself as I had a lot of confidence. The girls hung on well,” recalled Campbell who finished the race with a five second victory in 9:09.69.
In the Men’s 3000m, despite coming up .69 seconds short of Canberra runner, Josh Torley, Sydney University Athletics Club’s Joe Burgess took the title as the leading NSW athlete in 8:15.80 (a six second personal best). “I’ve never had one of those before so I’m happy to do it,” commented Burgess who recorded a six second personal best and signalled good signs ahead for him. “Increasing mileage and tempo” have been keys aspects in his altered training regime following disappointing results in Switzerland at the World University Cross earlier in the year.
Taking Bronze was rising SUAC teen, Harrison Wade in a time of 8:20.90, which was a PB of 11 seconds.