Victorian Steeplechase Champion upstages big names in Southern Cross University 10km race

Budding Olympic steeplechaser Liam Cashin has won in a sprint finish to claim victory in a warm Southern Cross University 10km Run on the Gold Coast.

The 28-year-old from western Victoria claimed victory in a fiercely contested race after powering home over the top of last year’s 10km winner Matthew Buckell (3rd) and 2025 Bridge to Brisbane winner Callum Davies (2nd) in the final 200m of the race.

“I had a bit of an injury at the end of the last season so it kind of derailed the track season,” Cashin explained post-race.

“For the last eight weeks I was able to put in a good training block together so it was my first race of the NC season so I was stoked to get the win today.

“My coach wanted me to race kind of a bit selfish and not do much of the work. So, my tactics were kind of to sit fourth for the first 5km and then kind of get to the front and test the waters.

“I did a couple surges, but the boys were pretty strong and kind of stayed on me. I just thought, all right, let’s leave it to the last late bit and finish off strong.

“It’s an awesome atmosphere. Obviously being from Melbourne, it’s pretty bad weather at the moment so coming up here to get some sunshine and run in that last 2km there’s all that support and it’s awesome to finish with a nice packed out crowd.

Cashin said he was aiming at qualifying for the Australian Steeplechase team ahead of the 2028 Olympics.

“The last two years haven’t worked as well as I want to, but I just want to get some kilometeres in the legs and yeah, that’s sort of goal in 2028.

“Obviously, the standards are pretty hard now, but yeah, I’ve got to aim high so I’ll go for it.”

In the women’s race, Victorian Natalie Rule, who came in as a favourite, claimed victory in a time of 32:57.

Rule, who represented Australia at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, went out fast and couldn’t be caught – holding on to win by seven seconds from fellow Victorian Georgia Hansen.

Rounding out the all-Victorian podium was Amy Robinson, in a time of 33:32.

“Two years ago I came second in 33:43 so it was probably a similar time if not a bit quicker this year.

“The atmosphere was amazing. My name is easy to say and read so everyone was cheering for me and I got a lot of hype off that so it really helped.”

Top 10 – Southern Cross University 10km run
 

Top 10 Women – Southern Cross University 10km run