The King of King Island, Stewart McSweyn says “I’m in” for Tassie Carnivals
Fresh off an Olympic 5000m Final appearance at the Paris Games, where he finished a gutsy 18th on top of an admirable 12th in the 1500, Stewart McSweyne will run at the Christmas Carnivals in Devonport and Burnie.
McSeweyn won an appeal to ensure he was part of the Olympic 5000m final, after getting impeded by several falls in the finishing straight of his heat.
McSweyn was either at the front of the lead pack or within the lead pack for most of the 5000 metres before losing touch with just 1500m to run. The 29-year-old battled on bravely, but this was his fourth tough race of the Games, after also contesting the 1500m and it was always going to be a big ask.
McSweyn will run the mile at the Devonport and Burnie Carnivals where he’ll run from the back mark, attempting to do the seemingly impossible. He’ll likely have clear air in front of him with a big gap to run down and one possible companion, Sam Clifford.
Recent Burnie10 winner Sam Clifford is also expected to start near the back, setting up an interesting duel.
Sam, who has been in extraordinary form recently, ran the second fastest time ever at for the Burnie Ten just weeks ago in a time beaten only by 10,000 metre Australian Record Holder Jack Rayner in 2022.
Clifford convincingly bested road and track star, and previous Burnie Ten winner (2021) Isaac Heyne and he’s keen to test himself against McSweyn
“It’s going to be a mighty dual between Stew and I, and can promise the crowd that I’ll be doing everything I can to make it worth watching” said Clifford. “I’m looking forward to showing what I can do, and mixing it with arguably one of the greatest distance runners of this generation”
McSweyn will run at Devonport and Burnie Carnivals while Clifford is yet to decide which two Carnivals he’ll tackle. Whatever he decides, he and Stewie will clash at one of the three major Carnivals (that feature our runners)… and possibly two.
The 'King' is ready. Be there.
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