NSW:Champ runner Liam Adams wins City2Surf

AAP General News (Australia)
08-14-2011
NSW:Champ runner Liam Adams wins City2Surf

SYDNEY, Aug 14 AAP - Cross country champion Liam Adams has crushed Michael Shelley's
dream of winning the 2011 City2Surf by putting in a sprint finish at Bondi Beach to defeat
the race favourite by two seconds.

Raw from the pain of Heartbreak Hill, the nickname given to part of New South Head
Road as it ascends above Rose Bay, Adams was first over the line in a time of 41 minutes
and 11 seconds.

Shelley, who was at his side for most of the race, looked stronger against a rapidly
tiring Adams five metres away from the finish line, but had to settle for second position.

Martin Dent was third.

It's the second year in a row Shelley has been forced to settle for second position,
after he was pipped by the post by Ben St Lawrence last year.

He won the event in 2009.

For Adams, 24, from Moonee Ponds in Victoria, it was his first City2Surf event.

The five times Australian world cross country champion appeared genuinely surprised
he had defeated the race favourite.

"I never thought I was going to win it," he said.

"He's [Shelley] won it before and he knows how to win this race.

"I was hurting from about Heartbreak Hill.

"I thought he was going to drop me many times during that race."

Jessica Trengove, 23, from South Australia, was the first woman across the line in
a time of 47 minutes and 29 seconds.

Emily Brichacek was the second female to finish the 14km event.

Claire Geraghty was the third.

Race favourite Cassie Fien shook her head with disappointment as she came in behind
them in just over 50 minutes.

Paralympic champion Kurt Fearnley was the first wheelchair athlete to cross the finish line.

His jubilant smile belied the fact he was suffering from a cold.

"I've lost my voice," he said.

"But good day, mate, good race.

"I can't wait to come back next year and do it in the sunshine."

It was the first time wheelchair athletes have taken part in the event.

As he held a huge trophy above his neck he joked, "It's bigger than me."

AAP bc/jfm/nb

KEYWORD: CITY2SURF UPDATE

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