Queensland’s Flynn Pumpa taking the tape in the Garmin 4km Junior Dash.

BRISBANE 14-year-old Flynn Pumpa (AUS/QLD) shrugged off difficult conditions to just fall short of a record result in the 2019 Garmin 4km Junior Dash.

The Brisbane Boys College student sent a buzz through the enthusiastic finish-line crowd when he turned into the finish line chute with the clock still well short of the 12:29 record, set by Riley Cocks in 2010.

However the battle with the elements took its toll over the last 100m with Flynn crossing the line in 12:35.

Close behind was Matthew Hansen (AUS/QLD) in 12:40 with Thomas Prole (AUS/QLD) third in 13:23.

The win was Flynn’s second in the event, taking the honours last year in 12:54, making him only the second male runner to have recorded multiple wins in the Garmin 4km Junior Dash. Jaxon Paterson-Wright won the event in 2016-17.

Sayla Donnelley taking out the Garmin 4km Junior Dash.

Gold Coaster Sayla Donnelley (AUS/QLD) was the first female home in the 2019 Garmin 4km Junior Dash, recording a time of 14:07.

Second was Denielle Hills (AUS/NSW) in 14:14 and third was Kingscliff’s Ruby Hughes (AUS/NSW) in 14:27.

There were 638 entries in the Garmin 4km Junior Dash.

Flash Quotes

Boys

1^st – Flynn Pumpa (AUS) – 12:35

On his performance:

“The last 2km were tough from the wind but the first 2km were easy and quite cruisy to begin with.”

On other race targets this year:

“I’ve got the States (state championships) and hopefully Nationals (Australian Championships) and Cross Country in a few weeks’ time.”

2^nd – Matthew Hansen (AUS) – 12:39

On his performance today:

“It was pretty tough today. The wind on the way back was really bad but, no excuses. Next time I promise I’ll be better.”

On his competitors:

“Flynn had me in the end. He trains hard and he deserves it.”

On whether he will return next year:

“Definitely. Maybe the 10km race next year. I definitely want to get into the longer stuff.”

Girls

1^st – Sayla Donnelley (AUS) – 14:06

On her performance:

“I was pretty happy with my performance. I love running and the freedom it gives me. It was a tough race and I faced new challenges. I wasn’t expecting to win but I knew it was possible.”

On the wind:

“It was windy on the way back so I tucked behind the boys but they ended up tucking behind me. I was their wind shield.”