Sydney 10: Fast times, record depth and quality racing feature at 2025 event

Published Sun 18 May 2025

18 May 2025

Sydney 10: Fast times, record depth and quality racing feature at 2025 event

A record 2400 athletes lined up across the four events at the 17th Sydney 10 held in light rain this morning around Sydney Olympic Park. In the women’s 10km event Holly Campbell recorded the 4th fastest time in the races history, while in the men’s Victorian Aiden Velten led home a quality field with Run Crew’s Ciaran Rushton claiming the State title. But the feature of the event was the dramatic increase in depth with 50% more athletes dipping under 31 and 32 minutes in comparison to the 2024 race.

MEN’S 10km

On paper the men’s event looked fascinating, with previous winner, Ed Goddard, the favourite, but as many as 10 others capable of finishing on the podium.

At about the 8km mark, it was still anyone race, as the lead pack still numbers seven athletes. The pack comprised Goddard, teenagers Aiden Velten (VIC) and John Maguire (ACT), Canberra-based Paralympian Michael Roeger, NSW World junior XC representative Ciaran Rushton, NSW 5000m champion Luke Hince and ACT’s Shaun Harris.

Victorian Velten would prevail in the long sprint to the line, in 29:34 minutes, from Maguire (29:37) and Roeger (29:38). In fourth, Ciaran Rushton with 29:41, claimed the 94th NSW 10km title, just one second ahead of Luke Hince (29:42) and Ed Goddard (29:49).

Velten reflected on his race and how it unfolded late.

“Honestly, I felt pretty comfortable throughout the race. I was sitting at the front with Ed (Goddard). I thought Ed and Johnny Maguire were going to be the two guys to beat.

“So I was sitting in front with Ed trying to dictate as much as I could but yeah, that pack was so large. And Ed and I even said to each other at one point, "Hey, let's work together, let's gap these guys on this turnaround.”

“So did work together, but they were still there.

“It was Johnny Maguire's move, with probably 1200 to go, that was really, really good. And definitely helped me, but it was plenty tough.”

It was a five seconds PB for the 19-year-old ANU Science student Velten, who is based in Canberra and has two coaches Tim O’Shaughnessy (in Melbourne) and Dick Telford.

“I’m happy with the win and the time is not too bad either. I’d had an average finish to the track season.

“I am in decent shape, so I really just wanted this to see what my fitness was like.”

Little did they know but Run Crew’s Ciaran Rushton and Kembla Joggers’ Luke Hince were battling out for the State title.

“I was just kind of trying to get comfortable for as long as possible,” said Ciran Rushton.

“I've raced Aiden (Velten) and John (Maguire) before in the 5k so I know they're quick and have got a quick close, so I was just kind of waiting for them to make the move and then just trying to respond when I could. We stayed together longer than I thought we would.

“It was probably around 8k where there was a bit of a breakup. I knew it was going to be tough to try and close the gap. They got a decent break of about 9-10 metres, and I was just struggling to close it towards the end.”

The third place by Paralympian Michael Roeger was outstanding, especially considering his leadup.

“I was happy with that. I knew the legs were in good nick and just needed to trust the process.

“The hamstrings were starting to tighten up, but I knew if I just hung in for another couple of minutes that I'd be strong in that last bit, I just backed my fitness and came away with a third, which I'm stoked with. I love running on the road and I don't get a chance much over the last few years, so this is so much fun.”

He has had big news over the last month.

“It's been a great last four weeks as my partner Lauren and I had a baby girl Violet.”

WOMEN’S 10km

Randwick Botany’s Holly Campbell was untroubled in winning the 45th NSW women’s 10km conducted as part of the Sydney 10. The race was one of the deepest in the history of the race with five athletes under 34 minutes. Holly’s time was a slick 32:18, the fourth fastest in the race’s history. Leading the women’s race from the gun, she build up over a minute by the finish from Sydney Uni’s dual Olympian Jenny Blundell, who ran 33:20 and ACT’s Zoe Melhuish with 33:32. In fourth, and third NSW, was Kate Spencer (UTN, 33:45), ahead of previous winner Lauren Reid (Delta, 33:47).

Holly was reasonably please with her performance.

“I haven't really done a lot of road 10k so it's a good experience for me. I probably still went out a little bit too quick and I did fade a little bit in the second half. It's a little bit off my track time.”

She also reflected on the last time she ran the Sydney 10 and the incredible progress she has made since.

“I ran this race in 2018 and ran about 35.30 (actually 35:20 for 9th). So obviously I've had a massive improvement since then, but it's been a long road.”

What has been the key to this progress?

“I think I just managed to stay healthy for a couple of years and I think that that's really helped me.”

Holly’s focus now switches back to the track with a 10,000m race in the US, before a racing stint in Europe.

DEPTH IN MEN’S RACE

There was a significant jump in depth of the event in 2025. In less-than-ideal conditions, with a wet surface and light rain, there was an increase in athletes under 31, 32 and 33 minutes, compared to 2024.

Number of athletes:

Sub 31 minutes: 2024 - 17, 2025 - 24

Sub 32 minutes: 2024 – 41, 2025 - 56

Sub 33 minutes: 2024 – 67, 2025 - 81

LEADING RESULTS

Men 10km

1 Aidan Velten VIC 29:34 (U20)

2 John Maguire ACT 29:37 (U20)

3 Michael Roeger SA 29:38

4 Ciaran Rushton RCR 29:41 (1st NSW)

5 Luke Hince KEJ 29:42 (2nd NSW)

6 Ed Goddard UTN 29:49 (3rd NSW)