It’s springtime in Melbourne and we arrive at our 1^st open championship event of the 2013-14 Victorian track and field season.

I speak of none other than the Victorian 5k Championships that will determine the best man and woman in the state over twelve and a half laps on Thursday the 14 of November.

Women’s A Race Preview:

In the spirit of chivalry we will start with the women first and for me there is one out and out favourite for the title in Sophie Barker.

Here’s why she can win: As defending champ and holder of the fastest recent PB for the distance in the field by the proverbial length of the straight should tell you all you really need to know. Add to that other high credentials such as Australian international representative and good form leading into the race with 35:00 in the Burnie 10k last month and a 12:45 tan in September and I really can’t see anyone beating her.

Except maybe Sarah Klein.

Here’s why she can win: The 2011 Victorian 5k champ has had some great results herself recently most notably her 2:42:51 marathon debut at Melbourne in October for the 4^th overall female in the race. If the all knowing race conversion charts are correct this equates to a mid 16:30’s to high 40’s for a 5k which should make her more than competitive in this race.

And if any further evidence is required, she ran down the afore mentioned Sophie Barker’s huge lead in the 2011 edition of this race with a blistering last 600m to take out that title.

Why she may not win: As mentioned above, she’s coming off a marathon less than a month ago.

For the places:

I’ve given you the favourites for the win and I think that it will come from one of the 2 mentioned but that still leaves the race for a medal placing wide open and that means that there are a number of athletes who could place in the medals or better if any of the above 2 have a bad day.

Among them are the evergreen Julia Edwards and Kate Seibold, resident Kiwi Sarah McSweeney, and the ultra consistent Tracey Austin and Karinna Fyfe.

Some of these names mentioned are regular racers and their results would indicate that they are well capable of putting the cat amongst the pigeons.