Posted: October 20, 2005

Athletics: Asics Bolt Shapes Up As Showdown – Under Lights

Queensland’s top two distance runners over the last five years, Alastair Stevenson and Peter Nowill will take on two of Australia's biggest name athletes, Victorian’s Steve Moneghetti and Lee Troop as they prepare for the Melbourne Commonwealth Games by competing in the Asics Noosa Bolt on Saturday November 5.

Joining them, fellow Victorian and last year's winner, Mark Tucker who is keen to defend his title.

Stevenson and Nowill both former Australian Track Champions have never won the prestigious Asics Noosa Bolt street race but both are currently in their best shape ever to take out the 2005 title. In 2003 Stevenson and Nowill finished second and third respectively behind the great Craig Mottram.

The Asics Bolt will get underway from 6:30pm and the cooler conditions and exceptional talent in the field could finally see the race records fall. They are currently held by Joseph Waweru (14:41 – 1999) and Benita Johnson (15:22 – 2002).

In the women's race two previous winners, 2003 champion, Ireland's Sydney Olympic 5000m silver medallist Sonia O'Sullivan and last years winner Eloise Wellings from Sydney face a challenge from Australia's Commonwealth marathon champion Kerryn McCann.

This year McCann from Wollongong has dominated the Australian road race scene with wins in Sydney, Adelaide and Burnie and is competing in the Asics Bolt for the first time and expected to be very difficult to beat.

The Noosa Bolt was introduced to the festival program in 1991 as the Streets Magnum 5km Run and over the past 15 years is now officially recognised as the premier 5km Road Race in Australia. It has seen a couple of name changes over the years but Asics were thrilled to be able to secure sponsorship for 2005. The winners list includes some of the world’s best runners – Steve Moneghetti, Sonia O’Sullivan, Susie Power and the fastest white man in the world at the moment, Craig Mottram just some of names to claim victories.

For the first time ever the Asics Bolt will be held under lights due to the expansion of the Super Saturday program and the introduction of the Aussie Football Legends Triathlon featuring six of the AFL’s glamour teams. This could mean that in the cooler conditions the race records could fall. The Asics Bolt is one of the ‘blue ribbon’ events of the festival and huge crowds are again expected to line Noosa Parade to be entertained and cheer on their favourites.

The 2005 Noosa Multi Sport Festival will be held from Sunday 30 October to Sunday 6 November.

For further information visit www.usmevents.com.au.