Tara Murray, with AAP
Western Athletics star Jack Rayner has joined some famous names after snaring his fourth consecutive 10,000 metre national title with victory at the Zatopek:10 track challenge in Melbourne.
Rayner won Saturday night’s event in a time of 28 minutes 26.12 seconds to claim his fourth straight national crown.
The legendary Ron Clarke holds the overall record with five national men’s 10,000 metre titles, ahead of Steve Moneghetti, Andrew Lloyd and Rayner with four apiece.
Last year, Rayner was overtaken by Irishman Andrew Coscoran on the final bend, but the Victorian still took the national title as the first home runner over the line in 27:57.87.
On Saturday night, Rayner finished first out of all runners, and held up four fingers shortly after crossing the line.
Tasmanian Samuel Clifford finished second, while Kiwi Oliver Chignell was third.
Marathoner and 2020 winner Brett Robinson set the pace for most of the race but faded to finish fourth.
Fellow Western Athletics runner Liam Cashin finished 14th, while another teammate Ben Chamberlain failed to finish.
“They don’t come easy, so very stoked to get another one,” Rayner said.
“Last year was bittersweet coming second but winning the Australian title, so it is nice to win the whole race. Hopefully I can add another one next year to make it five, I will do it for as long as I can.
“This event has gone to another level worldwide and it just means we have to get better as well.”
It capped off a topsy-turvy year for Rayner, whose hopes of competing at the Paris Olympics were dashed when he missed selection.
Rayner had broken his own national record competing in California in March, crossing in 27:09.57, but injury meant he was unable to crack the Paris qualifying mark for the 10,000m.
In October, he won the Melbourne Marathon at his first attempt having previously won the past three half marathons.
He told Star Weekly after that win that his focus was on winning the 10,000 metres national championship and then he would decide which direction his career would take.
In the women’s 10,000m race, Rose Davies won her third Zatopek:10 title after producing an excellent late kick.
Paris Olympian and Australian record-holder Lauren Ryan took the lead with 300m to go, but Davies hit back with a huge sprint finish to win in a time of 32:21.71.
Ryan finished second in 32:23.30, while Leanne Pompeani was third in 32:32.51.
In other races, Western Athletics’ Alexander Cameron-Smith finished fourth in the male under-20 3000 metres de Castella race.
Lucy Cleveland finished fifth in the under-20 3000 Ondieki race, while Zayd Al Sayd finished ninth and Matthew Hussey in the male open 3000 metre race.
Leanne Ellis finished seventh in the female under-17 nationals all schools event.
