Doig blitzes field to take out Albany run

Two-time winner of the former Port to Point Nathan Doig became the inaugural winner of the Verve Energy Albany Fun Run after running a blistering time of 33min. 54sec. over the 10km course to blow away his rivals.

Doig was followed by 2007 and 2008 Port to Point winner Callum Dowell on 36.05, with Glen Gibson running in not that far behind in third with a time of 38.18.

Dowell broke Doig’s 800m State record when he was 17, but the past counted for little with Doig entering the fun run as favourite.

It was Dowell’s first competitive race in four years, while Doig, who is an AFL boundary umpire, competes in similar events across the State year-round.

“I won the (Port to Point) event in 2007 and 2008, then I moved up north and my routine just fell through and I didn’t run for two-and-a-half years,” Dowell said.

“I moved back to Perth at the start of the year and lost 10kg and started doing long distances again.

“I just found myself again … it was like I kind of needed that step away because I’ve been doing it since in was 11.”

Also a former City of Albany sportsperson of the year, Dowell said he felt refreshed after his extended break from the sport, but could not run down the impressive Doig who he said accelerated away.

Doig described Sunday’s conditions as perfect for long-distance running after struggling through the sweltering heat to win last year’s Port to Point.

“Today was much nicer conditions, much more conducive to run good times,” he said.

“It really was a perfect day for running … even the light drizzle kept it cool and it was perfect.”

Doig’s time of 33.54 was slightly improved on his 34.29 from last year, and he said he was hoping for a quicker time but was pleased with the finish.

“I was just trying to focus on myself … I was just looking to try and knock off the times I was trying to achieve,” he said.

“It’s a tough course around the bottom of the mount there.”

Andrea Campbell took out the female category, winning at 42.51 and just 30 seconds ahead of Sarah Howarth.