Bateup collects beach run gold

HAYLEY Bateup may have to wait another 12 months for a shot at winning another Aussie ironwoman title but the 31-year-old Kurrawa star has found another event to try and dominate after clinching the Queensland 2km beach run gold on the weekend.

Sidelined all summer as she recovered from major shoulder surgery, a hit to the ribs in a training accident forced Bateup to forgo her shot at the ironwoman title.

But her efforts on the sand now have her considered a genuine threat of ending City of Perth star Alison O’Toole’s six-year Australian championship domination, as she bolted to the gold from Northcliffe’s Alyce McKenzie.

Kurrawa clubmate Stephanie Ballantine was third.

While the priority was in defending her Aussie board title, Bateup was yesterday excited to have a chance to end O’Toole’s reign, and also turn the tables after finishing second to the West Australian at the 2008 titles in Perth.

But on the sands of Kurrawa, the sands she had spent plenty of hours sweating, Bateup believes she was in a great position to capture another elusive gold.

“I’m focusing on the board and I’ve been paddling well but it’s nice to have the 2km run to focus on as well,” said Bateup, who had no luck in the board final

“(The beach run) is tough because it’s a flat-out sprint for 2km but I’m definitely going to try and knock (Alison) off.”

“I know I’m a good runner and I know I’m capable and I thought this year was a good chance for me to focus on the Aussies and give it a go.”

With Kurrawa dominating the beach events, Bateup’s winning efforts and those of Andrew Grimshaw ensured Kurrawa made a clean sweep of the open competition.

Patrick Hagan (Point Lookout) and Michael Evans (Northcliffe) rounded out the placings.

Source:  Gold Coast Bulletin