Former Hawkeye Nikki Chapple Wins 2009 Great Australian Run

Dec. 1, 2009

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IOWA CITY, IA — Former University of Iowa standout distance runner Nikki Chapple came in as an underdog, and came out a winner in this past weekend’s Great Australian Run, an annual 15-kilometer race through Melbourne, Australia. Chapple crossed the line first at 50:18, edging out favorite Benita Willis by just less than a minute. Chapple, a Melbourne native, is adding to an impressive resume of international races. Just three months ago, Chapple finished fourth in the 2009 BUPA Great North Race with a time of 1:10.03 for the 13 mile run.

Chapple competed for Iowa from 2003 through 2006. She was a three-time letterwinner in both cross country and track and holds six Iowa top-ten records in cross country and track.

Iowa kicks off its indoor track and field season with the 2009 Iowa Intrasquad meet on Sunday, Dec. 6 at 4:00 p.m. at the UI Recreational Building.