Australian runners Izzi Batt-Doyle and Leanne Pompeani showcased their talent at the Nagoya Women’s Marathon in Japan, further bolstering Australia’s presence in the marathon scene. Batt-Doyle’s impressive performance secured her a spot in this year’s world championships, finishing sixth with a time of 2:23.29, just one second over the qualifying mark. Pompeani, in her marathon debut, crossed the line in 2:24.53, establishing herself as the fastest Australian woman on debut, surpassing Batt-Doyle’s previous record by over three minutes.
Having won the Melbourne and Gold Coast half-marathons in the past year, Pompeani strategically transitioned to the full marathon distance to make her mark. At 28 years old, she now ranks eighth on the all-time Australian list, positioning herself as a rising star among the country’s elite marathon runners challenging the status quo.
Batt-Doyle, who narrowly missed the selection for the Paris Olympics marathon, demonstrated her prowess by clocking 2:22.59 at the Valencia Marathon, becoming the third fastest Australian woman in history. However, her ranking was quickly surpassed by Jess Stenson’s remarkable 2:22.56 run at the Tokyo Marathon, earning her a spot in the world championships alongside Batt-Doyle.
Just five weeks after breaking the national half-marathon record, Batt-Doyle and Pompeani tackled the Nagoya Marathon with determination. Overcoming challenges around the 34km mark, they displayed resilience and strategic racing, moving up in the ranks to finish sixth and eighth, respectively, after starting at 10th and 15th.
Pompeani highlighted the camaraderie between her and Batt-Doyle, emphasizing their slightly different goals for the race. While Pompeani aimed for a solid debut experience, Batt-Doyle pursued loftier objectives given her experience in marathons. Their mutual support and shared racing experience added a layer of comfort and motivation during the intense competition.
Their performances at the Nagoya Women’s Marathon not only showcased their individual talents but also hinted at a promising future for Australian women in the marathon discipline. With strong showings on the international stage, Batt-Doyle and Pompeani have set a high bar for themselves and their competitors, signaling a new era of Australian dominance in long-distance running.
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