Australian Masters Athletics Championships 2025

The AMA was held this year in Adelaide over the Easter weekend.

Starting on Friday with the 10,000m track. All runners were in for a surprise, the weather was unseasonably hot. The temperature reached 30 degrees and that challenged everyone on the track. Most runners were dripping like a water fountain after the race.

Despite the conditions, the men’s race was fast with all runners in every age group, except two, finishing under 50 minutes. For Casey, we had Craig (gold and 2nd overal), Mesh (silver) and Vikramjit (silver) at the start.

In the afternoon, the 800m ( Albin 8th with SB) and the 1500m (Albin silver & Mesh gold) race walk did close the day.

Everyone was checking the weather forecast for the next few days, and were relieved that cooler temperatures were expected.

Day 2 did start, quite cool and overcast, with the 5000m race walk.

Mesh and I were the only representatives of our club. Mesh finished in gold position and I managed to secure silver. I was happy with the result, especially as Terry was walking a fast pace for 1st place, and I didn’t take the risk to get any red card or even ending up with a DQ.

Next up was Tracey for the 1500m, producing a solid run with 6:17.18 giving her Silver.

After the ladies, the 1500m men’s were the next event. It was Andrew’s first start at the Championship, and Craig showing us how to recover after yesterday’s hot day 10,000m run. Craig finished with gold (overall 2nd), Andrew gold and Vikramjit in 4th place. Well done!

The afternoon was reserved for the steeplechase. The event started with the girls’ 2000m and from the start Laura meant business, leading the race and finishing in 7:30.33 (gold medal) and overall winner.

Men 60 and over were the next group to start and the obstacle height is the same for both events. A season best awarded me silver in my age group.

After that the 3000m steeplechase was on. Again, Craig was the winner in his age group (overall 2nd) and Mesh finished in gold position. Meanwhile, the weather changed, slightt rain and a cold wind. Luckily we were finished for the day and it was time to go back to our accommodation and meet for dinner later.

Day 3 started with unfavourable weather conditions as the cold wind and rain had settled in overnight. So what events were on?

The girls started with the 5000m where Tracey crossed the finish line in 3rd place. How did the men perform? Vikramjit finished with a bronze position recording a good time. Maybe slower as planned, but very respectable in the conditions, and let’s not forget still having the 10,000m race in the legs from 2 days before.

It was a long day for pentathlon, starting long jump at 10:30am and finishing with 1500m at 5pm. Continued rain and cold wind weren’t the best conditions for anyone. I managed to finish with a fourth place in my age group.

Afterwards we arranged to meet with Jen & David in Chinatown. It was nice to catch up over dinner.

One more sleep would bring the last day of events of this year’s national championships.

Day 4 also meant that we had to split up and moved to different locations, as the cross country and race walking events were outside the stadium.

Mesh and I went to the 10km race walking event. The course was a two km flat loop. As expected, Mesh did win in his age group with a time under one hour. I was a little bit slower, but finished silver in my age group, with Terry winning gold. Karyn joined her husband winning her age group.

In a different location a bit further away was the 8 km cross country course. Craig, Andrew and Laura were at the start. Needless to say that Craig did get gold in his age group (4th overall). Andrew also walked away with gold in his age group.

Last but not least was the women’s cross country, running the same course.

Laura did win gold in the strongest age group, seven competitors at the start, and 2nd overall, out of a field of over 30 starters.

Then it was time to pack up and start the long journey back home. Luckily Mesh did stay a day longer than the rest of us, so that we could have a shower back at the hotel before hitting the road.

Jen and David stayed on in Adelaide and did meet with Mesh for a coffee to celebrate his birthday. Thank you for looking after the lonely man. 😉😄

I would like to congratulate all participants and their families to make the effort to come to Adelaide for the 2025 Masters Athletics Championships.