A 6km sprint isn't something you come across too often, but for Lauren Kerwick and Brandon Martin, that's exactly what Sunday's Orange Running Festival turned out to be.
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The pair were each crowned champions over the weekend, in what was a smaller event due to COVID restrictions.
Kerwick moved from Orange to the Gold Coast a year ago and had one thought in mind when she took to the Gosling Creek Reserve course.
"Just run as hard as I could," she said after the race.
"I love Gosling Creek. They've done an amazing job renovating it for all the triathlon and running community."
Kerwick finished the 6km race in 21 minutes and 47 seconds, more than two minutes in front of her closest challengers Jodie Martin and Mercede Cornelius-Feltus, who finished second and third respectively.
It was the first time Kerwick had managed to win at the festival and was glad to see it was still able to go ahead.
"I've been doing this festival all through high school and it's just so good and I love it," she added.
"I came back for the week from the Gold Coast and I was like I have to stay this extra day to do this festival before I leave."
Martin wasn't even planning on taking part after he rolled his ankle at the NSW 5,000 metre Championships last month.
"My ankle is a bit tender but it's not too bad on the flat stuff," he said.
"My mum and dad were doing it and managed to convince me in the end to race."
For the first 4km, Martin, Mitch Williamson (second) and Jack Bilton (third) were on each other's heels.
"We all pretty much came in at the same time for the last lap and I knew that if I was feeling good I could pick it up again," the Bathurst runner said.
"It was my first win in a long time.
"Sometimes you get a bit low on motivation and you start questioning why you do all the hard work when you don't really get anywhere with it, so I think this will be a good boost for me."
He finished the race in 19 minutes and 12 seconds.
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Riley Krause
I am a senior journalist for the Central Western Daily. A jack of all trades, I cover everything from sport, to human interest stories and crime. Drop me an email at riley.krause@austcommunitymedia.com.au
I am a senior journalist for the Central Western Daily. A jack of all trades, I cover everything from sport, to human interest stories and crime. Drop me an email at riley.krause@austcommunitymedia.com.au
