2025 Men Top Picks

Who will take out the inaugural Run The Loop? While anything can happen in a race, read below to hear about our top picks.

1. Adrian Potter (Adelaide Harriers)

It's hard to go past Potter in almost any race he enters. Arguably the most reliable and race-ready middle-distance runner we've had in SA over the last decade. We've lost count of how many state championships he has won on the track over his time. A regular on the national scene from distances 3000, 5000m and 10,000m (PBS of 7.57, 13.46 & 29.04 respectively), Potter never gives anyone an 'easy chance', and he is one of those competitors that to beat him, you have to be more than on your game.

His first race as a dad was an impressive display at the stacked Bay Sheffield 3200m, where he took on the race in the last mile and ended up on the podium! Changing his sleep routine with middle-of-the-night feeds hasn't interrupted his training, as his Strava graph looks ever-consistent. Like Caitlin in the ladies race, it's tough to bet against the class and experience of one of Adelaide Harriers' finest-ever middle-distance runners.

2. Jonathan Harris (Saints)

Getting in front of Adrian Potter on the gravel path on Friday evening won't be easy. Still, Harris's talent is probably the closest challenger. He is an outstanding runner over 1500m (PB 3.47), but his range has grown from 800 to 5000m over the past 18 months. His recent victory at Lakeside in the Decastella 3,000m race in a very patient race with a ferocious kick down saw him take down the best U20 middle distance runners in the nation (8.12 winning time). 

A combination of excellent leg speed and improved strength means Harris is another leading contender. The 2.2km distance and home training surface will definitely suit him, but as said before, he will have to take it from Potter, as it won't be given to him!

3. Torben Roberts (Flinders AC)

2024 saw the rise of Roberts on both the track and cross country. It seemed like his form came out of nowhere. Still, Roberts is an excellent example of a junior athlete being patient and consistent in training! He took 2nd at the U20 national 5,000m in April and, in August, took down a talented U20 field in the National XC in Launceston in what could be described as the most challenging conditions possible. While he has battled a few niggles at the start of summer, there's no doubt Roberts, like Harris, fits in that youth category talent of 'anything is possible' when he toes the line.

His form and confidence appeared to have returned after a well-timed win in the prestigious Select Mile only a fortnight ago at Colley Reserve. The Flinders star also has a great blend of power and strength, and part of me thinks he'll enjoy the challenge of racing his more experienced competitors in a six-minute race. Anything goes here, I think.

4. Thomas Dowd (Adelaide Harriers)

Dowdy is a first-class athlete and competitor from a talented bloodline of distance runners. A young man who started focusing on the sport only late in high school picked up the tactics of racing like it was second nature. A great work ethic, mixed with even better intuition in big races, has seen Dowdy power to competitive PBS of 3.49 (1500m), 8.13 (3,000m), and 14.12 (5000m). 

Dowdy is an athlete that many will agree will continue to improve over the years. He won't be afraid to follow/push the lead pack in this race. Since moving to train on the Uniloop regularly in the past year, he may pick his moment to drive the pace and surprise the field. If the race ends up being a pure strength affair, we could see a Potter/Dowd drop a few of the younger boys and battle it out like last November in the state 5000m titles.

5. Cooper Giles (Adelaide Uni)

Another youthful talent of middle-distance running that goes a little under the radar here in SA. There are few smoother movers on the circuit than Cooper, and the last 12 months have seen a great consistent block of training pay off with great early-season track form. Mixing the demands of studying to be a Paramedic and the demands of distance running has taken time to balance. Still, a healthy and fit Cooper has the right attributes to challenge anyone on his day. He's a big contender for the podium with a PB of 8.22 over 3,000m (2024) and a season-opening 1500m PB (3.52).

Coming down from the Mountain of Falls Creek only the day prior is a small caveat that he may have to overcome, but if his legs feel good Friday evening, who knows? Just keep an eye on the young lad who is smooth as butter over the ground, the one that makes running look really easy!

Written By Michael Nitschke

Men's Elite Field: