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Nikki Chapple wins half marathon in Japan

Nikki Chapple reduced her personal best by over a minute to win the Marugame half marathon in Japan today by 74 seconds. After running alone from 7km into the race, Nikki reached the finish line in 1:08.37 moving her to number 4 on the Australian all-time list behind Kerryn McCann, Benita Willis and Susie Power. Also in Japan today Marty Dent ran a personal best in the marathon recording 2:13.32 for 11th place giving him the A selection Standard for the New Delhi Commonwealth Games in October this year.

Gregson, McKnight and St. Lawrence win in Newcastle

Ryan Gregson set a new 800m personal best of 1.47.06 when winning that event at teh Hunter Track Classic last night. Nick Bromley was 4th in 1.48.98. It was also a personal best for Ben St Lawrence winning the 3000m in 7.55.91 from Mitch Kealey also with a personal best of 7.59.78. Youcef Abdi was 3rd in 8.03.40. Kaila McKnight won the women's 1500m in 4.13..97 from Eloise Wellings 2nd in 4.17.81.

Baddeley third in Wannamaker mile

Andy Baddeley has finished 3rd in the Wannamaker mile a the Millrose Games in 3.58.09. Ahead of him were Bernard Lagat who broke the record for most wins in the race claiming his eighth victory and Olympic 1500m champion Asbel Kiprop. Mark Draper finished fifth in 4.02.90. The British duo now head to Australia and to Falls Creek for month of altitude training.

Kealey runs 800m personal best

Mitch Kealey won the 800m at the University of Queensland Allcomers meeting on Friday night (Jan 29) in 1.48.17 setting a new personal best. Kealey will now set himself for the 3000m at the Hunter Valley Track Classic in Newcastle where he meets Youcef Abdi and Ben St Lawrence next Saturday followed by the 1500m at the Briggs Memorial in Hobart on February 6 where he meets Irishman David Campbell and Australian World Championships representative Ryan Gregson.

Riseley back on track

Australian 1500m champion Jeff Riseley enjoyed a low key return to racing last night winning the 1500m at the South East Region Athletics Victoria interclub competition in 3.55.8. It was the first time Riseley has raced since he had to abandon his season in Europe last year due to inflammation of his plantar fascia. He came through the race without any problems and is confident he is fully healthy again and will step up his training by joining British star Andy Baddeley and Australian 5000m and 10,000m champion Collis Birmingham among a big group of Melbourne Track Club athletes at Falls Creek for a stint of high altitude training next week.

Andy Baddeley wins again in New York

Andy Baddeley led a clean sweep by British athletes in the invitational mile at the New Balance Games at the Amory Centre in New York today (Jan 23). Baddeley set a world leading time of 3.55.64 to win from Ricky Stevenson 2nd in a personal best of  3.56.31 and Mark Draper 3rd in 3.56.80 also a personal best. Another Melbourne Track Club athlete Adrian Blincoe was 4th in 3.58.53 with Bobby Curtis 6th in 4.01.73. Baddeley and Draper will compete in the Wannamaker mile at the Millrose Games in New York next Friday before heading to Australia for an 8 week training stint.

 

Kaila McKnight smashes 3000m personal best

Kaila McKnight took over 25 secs off her previous 3000m personal best when she ran 9.06.6 in a mixed Melbourne interclub race at Nunawading last night. (Jan 21) Paced by Olympic 1500m runner Jeff Riseley, Kaila ran home strongly with the last km right on 3min. Her next race will be the 1500m at the Australia Cup meeting in Canberra on January 30 followed by another 1500m at the Hunter Valley Classic in Newcastle on February 6.

Collis and Benita win Australian cross country selection trials

Birmingham, Willis lead world cross country charge

Benita Willis and Collis Birmingham were both winners of the Australian world cross country selection trials at Brimbank Park in Keilor today (Sunday Jan 17). Birmingham looked comfortable while running in the lead group and quickly opened up a 30m gap on the last of the 6 2km circuits to win by 7 secs from Clint Perrett. In the women's 8km race Benita and Nikki Chapple pushed clear of Lara Tamsett as they headed into the final lap. With around 500m to go Benita moved ahead running strongly up the final hill to win her first race in Australia for 4 years by 4 sec from Nikki while Lara held on for 3rd. Eloise Wellings placed 6th and is also likely to be selected in the Australian cross country team for the World Championships in Poland in March. The team will be named on Tuesday.

 

Sonia win's Bells Bash 8k

Bells Bash 2010 - Jan Juc SLSC hosts the Bells Bash 2010

Even at age 40 Sonia O'Sullivan is still a formidable competitor as shown when she took out the 8km Bells Bash in Jan Juc on Friday (Jan 15) evening. The Irish 2km world record holder has a home just a short jog from the start and finish so she was very familiar with the course and when she got within sprinting distance of the finish line within range of the lead, there was no stopping her as sbe found even past her prime her ability to sprint at the end of a race still exists. Her time of 27.55 on a hilly course indicates there may still be more victories for Sonia in 2010.

Benita Willis to be supported by Saucony for next three years

After nine years being supported by Nike Benita Willis will start with a new shoe company in 2010. For the next three years she will be supported by American company Saucony. In other developments for 2010 , Collis Birmingham has switched from New Balance to Nike shoes, Ricky Stevenson will join New Balance, Kaila McKnight will switch from Nike to New Balance, Shawn Forrest will start with Nike, Nikki Chapple will join Brooks and Lisa Flint will be supported by Asics. 

Collis Birmingham, Benita Willis to compete in Australian World Cross Country trials this weekend

Collis Birmingham will start a clear favourite in the Australian World Cross Country trial over 12km at Brimbank Park in Keilor on Sunday morning. In the women's race Benita Willis can expect a strong challenge from Lara Tamsett, Nikki Chapple, Eloise Wellings and Emily Brichacek. Lisa Flint will also be trying to qualify for the Australian team bound for Bydgoscz Poland which will be coached by Sonia O'Sullivan.

Ricky Stevenson wins Edinburgh cross country

Ricky Stevenson took out the biggest win of his career when he won the 4km cross country race in Edinburgh today. The event televised on the BBC gives Stevenson a huge confidence boost ahead of his indoor racing debut at the New Balance Games in New York later this month. Mark Draper was 6th in the race and Andy Baddeley 7th. In the women's race, Hayley Yelling was 4th behind 3 Africans led home by Tirenesh Dibaba.

European Cross Country Champion Hayley Yelling joins Melbourne Track Club

Great Britain's Hayley Yelling who provided the shock of the recent European Cross Country Championships in Dublin by coming out of retirement to win the title for the 2nd time will be managed by Melbourne Track Club in 2010. Hayley's next race will be the Bolzano Classic over 5k in Italy on New Years Eve. Mike Skinner who was 13th in the European Cross Country will run the men's 10k race in Bolzano.

Collis Birmingham named in the Commonwealth Games team Delhi 2010

Australian 10,000m record holder Collis Birmingham has been named in the 10,000m for the Commonwealth Games after winning the Australian title in Melbourne at the Zatopek Classic. Collis will decide on whether he runs the 10,000m if he is able to also win selection in 5000m during the Australian season.

Ricky Stevenson 8th in European under 23 Cross Country race

Great Britain's Ricky Stevenson placed 8th in the European under 23 cross country championship in Dublin earlier this month to help the British team to a silver medal behind the winning French team. Mike Skinner was 13th in the open men's race where the British team also won a silver medal. 

Campbell wins mile race in Stellenbosch, South Africa

Irishman David Campbell interupted his high altitude training camp in South Africa to contest a mile race in Stellenbosch on Friday and proved his training is right on track winning the race in a tick over 4min with a 1.54 final 800m.

Australian titles for Collis and Eloise at Zatopek Classic

After 3 years of battling injury, Eloise Wellings showed the first sign that she is ready to return to the form that saw her lead the Zurich Golden League 5000m with a lap to go in 2006 by winning the Zatopek 10,000m and Australian title in Melbourne last Thursday. Wellings time of 32.19.08 was a personal best by over 2min. Lara Tamsett was 3rd and Nikki Chapple 5th. Collis Birmingham won the men's race from Ben St Lawrence after the pair broke away from the field by running just over 2min for the last 800m. Collis winning time of 28.04 confirms him in the Australian team for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi next year should he decide to contest that event.

Nikki and Benita 1 & 2 in Great Australian Run. Birmingham also 2nd

Nikki Chapple and Benita Willis were first and 2nd in the Great Australian Run 15k in Melbourne on Sunday while Collis Birmingham broke the Australian record although he had to be content with finishing 18 secs behind Austrian Gunther Weidlinger. Nikki set a course record of 50.18 with 
Benita taking 51.15. Birmingham's time of 43.19 broke his own national record by 16 secs. Another Melbourne Track Club athlete Marty Dent was 3rd in 44.00.

Gregson wins NSW state 3k title, Wellings 2nd

Ryan Gregson clinched his first open New South Wales title on Saturday taking out the 3000m championship at Homebush in 8.00.85 after a 58 second final circuit to win by almost 3 seconds from Brenton Rowe. Eloise Wellings was 2nd in the women's championship in 8.16.50 after being outsprinted by Bridey Delaney in the final 100m.

Marty Dent dominates Run4Fun 10k at Homebush, Sydney

Marty Dent continued his good form since he led the Australian team home at the World Championships marathon in Berlin by winning the Run4Fun 10k at Homebush by a minute from his Australian World Cup marathon team mate Mark Tucker. Dent's time was 29.10. 

Mitch Kealey wins Simon Doyle 1500m in Brisbane

Beijing Olympian Mitch Kealey opened his Australian summer season by winning the Simon Doyle 1500m race at University of Queensland in Brisbane last Thursday in 3.44.43. Behind Kaan having his first track race for 16 months was 2008 World Junior Championships 800m finalist James Kaan showing he right back on track with personal best of 3.47.72. Kealey has now joined Collis Birmingham, Benita Johnson, Paul Hoffman and Bobby Curtis and the Melbourne Track Club high altitude training camp at Fall Creek.

Benita 3rd in Great South Run

Benita Willis finished a succesful European season with a 3rd place in the Great South Run 10miles Portsmouth on Sunday in 54.40. Benita came from 6th place at half way to finish 3rd behind Portunguese Ines Monteiro and Ana Dulce Felix. Olympic marathon silver medalist Catherine Ndereba was 4th. It was Benita's 6th top 3 placing from her last 7 races.

Benita 2nd in 39a Giro Podistico di Pettinengo in Italy

Benita Willis has continued her consistent run of form placing 2nd in a 4km race in Italy behind Ethiopia's Sule Utura. Benita ran the 4km event in 12.32, one of the fastest times ever run on the course. It was her 6th top 3 placing from 7 races since the start of September.

 

 
WOMEN'S WINNER: Lara Tamsett makes it two in a row in the women's race. Picture: Kate Jowett.

 

Lara leads sweep in Burnie Ten

Lara Tamsett led a Melbourne Track Club sweep of the women's event at the Burnie Ten 10k in Tasmania today (Sunday October 18). Lara's winning time was 32.55 with Nikki Chapple 2nd in 33.15 and Eloise Wellings in her best run for the year 3rd in 34.35. Ben St Lawrence was 2nd in the men's race in 30.03 won by Mark Tucker in 30.01.

 

 
 

 

 

Shane Nankervis 2nd in Melbourne Half Marathon

Shane Nankervis was again succesful in the Melbourne half marathon placing 2nd to Clint Perret in 64.50 narrowly missing a repeat of his victory in this event last year in Melbourne yesterday. In Holland Benita Willis had to overcome a fall at the start of the race to place 3rd in the Groningen 4 mile race in 20.38. In the men's race Pete Nowill was 9th in 18.45.

Benita Willis to run Groningen 4mile in Holland

Coming off a win in the Lidingo Loppet 10km cross country in Sweden Benita Willis will now travel to Holland for the Groningen 4mile road race on Sunday. Also competing will be training partner Nicole Aish of the USA and Australian Olympic steeplechaser Peter Nowill.

Ryan Gregson wins Australian Universities 800m title

Ryan Gregson dominated the Australian Universities 800m title today to win comfortably in 1.51.79 on the Gold Coast today. It was well outside Gregson's personal best set in Rieti this year but a satisfyin performance as he has only just resumed training after a break following his first European season this year.

Benita wins Lidingo Loppet 10k cross country in Sweden

 

Benita Willis clawed back an 80m deficit at the halfway point to Kenyan born Swede Isabellah Andersson and Kenya's Gladys Kwambai to win the famous Lidingo Loppet 10k cross country by over a minute in 34.19 near Stockholm today. The time was 5 seconds under the course record. Willis hit the lead with 4km to run and powered home on her favourite surface for her biggest win of the year.

Andy Baddeley wins 5th Ave mile

 

Andy Baddeley has finished strongly to win the Continental 5th Ave mile in New York City. It was some consolation after an unusual foot injury ruined his World Championships preparation causing him to spend the time between heat and semi-final on crutches. Baddeley took 3min.51.8secs for the win from Kenyan Boaz Lalang while Collis Birmingham place 6th in 3.53.9

Benita Willis to contest famous Swedish cross country race

Benita Willis will return to her best surface, cross country running when she competes in the Lidingo Loppet 10k cross country in Stockholm on Sunday. This will be the 2004 world cross champion's first appearance in the famous Swedish cross country race and she will be hoping to turn a run of close seconds in road races into a victory on the undulating course.

Baddeley and Birmingham to run 5th Ave Mile in NY

Andy Baddeley and Collis Birmingham will finish their 2009 season on Saturday when they compete in the world's most famous road mile down 5th Ave. in New York City. Baddeley will be attempting to win his third race in three weeks while Bimingham will be trying to end a run of four straight losses to Baddeley.

Andy Baddeley wins Ashes Road Mile

Running for England Andy Baddeley won a hard fought battle on Newcastle's Quayside in the Ashes street athletics match road mile. Helped by Mitch Kealey pushing the pace Collis Birmingham was able to open up an 8m gap on Baddeley. But in the last 100m Baddeley and Mo Farah were able to close with Baddeley going on to take his 2nd victory in two weeks.

Benita to return to Great North Run

Benita Willis returns to scene of one of her best ever wins when she lines up in the Great North Run half marathon in Newcastle, England on Sunday. Benita won this event in 2004 and was 2nd in 2006. This time she will be competing a day after she runs in the 2mile event in the England vs Australia street athletics match on Newcastle's Quayside.

Andy Baddeley wins Great Capital Run 5k

In a thrilling race that went right to line Andy Baddeley just held out training partner Collis Birmingham to win Great Capital Run 5k in London's Regents Park on Sunday. In the women's race Benita Willis was again very competitive finishing 2nd to Freya Murray in another sprint finish.

Return to form for Benita Willis

Benita Willis had her most competitive performance for over a year when she was 2nd by 1 second to Scotland's Freya Murray in the Great Yorkshire Run 10k in Sheffield today in 32.29. Nikki Chapple had an excellent first up race in the UK after arriving from Melbourne on Tuesday placing 3rd in 32.40. Shawn Forrest also ran very well placing 3rd in the men's race 13 secs behind Kenyan star Eliud Kipchoge in 28.43.

Australian 4x1500m relay record set in Brussels

A Melbourne Track Club quartet led by World Championship 5000m finalist  Collis Birmingham set a new 4x1500m relay Australian record at the prestigious Memorial Van Damme meeting in Brussels on Friday September 4. Ryan Gregson, Mitch Kealey and Nick Bromley completed the team which placed 3rd behind a Kenyan team that set  World Record of 14.36.23. The Australians new record time was 14.46.92 breaking the previous mark by over 30 seconds.

Shane Nankervis wins Perth City to Surf half marathon

Following on his strong 2nd placing in this year's Gold Coast Marathon, Shane Nankervis has won the Perth City to Surf half marathon today in his first appearance at Western Australia's biggest running event. Shane ran 1:05.49 on a dificult course to win comfortably.

Mitch Kealey returns to track in Europe

Australian Olympic 1500m runner Mitch Kealey will make his return to track racing after almost 12 months absent due to a foot injury when he competes in the 1500m at the British Grand Prix in Gateshead next Monday. It will be Kealey's first race on the track since he competed in a 1500m race in Zagreb after the Olympic Games in Beijing last year. Kealey feels he is in good shape and believes he won't be far off his personal best of 3.36.20.

Collis Birmingham in 5000m final at World Championships in Berlin

 Collis Birmingham showed his true character after a disappointing performance in the 10,000m in Berlin by qualifying for the final of the 5000m at the World Championships in Berlin. He is only the 2nd Australian to achieve this feat and is now very much looking forward to beating as many runners as possible in today's final.

 

Marty Dent leads Aussie team to 8th best marathon nation in the world in Berlin

On a warm day with the marathon held around noon, Marty Dent ran the best marathon of his life to place 21st and lead the Australian team to 8th place in the World Marathon Cup at the World Championships in Berlin. Andrew Letherby also ran a great race placing 30th with the other Aussies in the race, Mark Tucker 47th and Scott Westcott 58th.

 

Ben St. Lawrence and Emily Brichacek both 2nd in City to Surf

Ben St.Lawrence closed the last km out strongly but was unable to catch Michael Shelley as he finished 2nd in the Sydney City to Surf on Sunday. Emily Brichacek having her first race since May was also a strong finishing 2nd to Melinda Vernon.

Abdi confirms place in World Champs team

Olympic steeplechase finalist Youcef Abdi confirmed his place in the Australian team for the Berlin World Championships with a 2nd placing inside the IAAF B qualifying standard in Cottbus on Saturday. Abdi was just over a second behind Kenyan Collins Kosgei in 8.31.85. Great Britain's top middle distance runner Andy Baddeley also proved his fitness running 2.21.48 for 3rd place in the 1000m at Cottbus.

Riseley runs personal best in last race before World Championships

Jeff Riseley will now move into his final training phase for the World Championships in Berlin after a personal best over 1000m at the DN Galan meeting in Stockholm on Friday night. Riseley ran 2.17.35 to place 4th but ahead of several of his 1500m opponents for Berlin. Kaila McKnight ended her European season with her 2nd fastest ever 1500m runing 4.11.57 for 12th place.

Benita Willis wins Wedding Day 7k in London

Benita Willis beat training partner Lara Tamsett by 9 seconds to take out the annual Wedding Day 7k in London's Bushy Park on Friday (July 31). Benita's time was 23.10. Dave McNeil won the men's race in record time 20.27. The race which marks the anniversary of the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana has been won by several world class athletes including Sonia O'Sullivan, Richard Nerurkar, Gary Staines and Jon Solly with the two Australian winners in 2009 now joining that list.

Letherby confirms fitness

Andrew Letherby confirmed his fitness for the World Championships marathon next month by placing 3rd in the Wharf to Wharf 6 mile race in Santa Cruz, California today. Letherby ran 27.52 to show the Australian selectors he is on track for a strong result in Berlin.

Melissa Rollison wins return race

Melissa Rollison returned to racing after more than a year with injury problems in 
the Park 2 Park 5k in Ipswich, Queensland on Sunday. Rollison won the race in just over 18mins - nowhere near her normal level but she was very pleased to finally back competing and hope to back to her best for this coming Australian track season.

Birmingham set mile best in London

Collis Birmingham set a personal best for the mile finishing 4th to Bernard Lagat in the Emsley Carr mile in London on Saturday in 3.54.30. It was Birmingham's final race before he runs the 5000m at the World Championships in Berlin next month. Ryan Gregson also set a personal best in London clocking 3.58.90 for 11th place.

Gregson selected for World Championships

Ryan Gregson has been added to the Australian team for the World Championships in Berlin in the 1500m. This weekend he continues his preparation for his Australia senior team debut with the Emsley Carr mile at Crystal Palace.

Riseley in London 800m

Jeff Riseley continues the best European season of his career when he contests the 800m at the London Grand Prix at Crystal Palace on Friday night. The next day Collis Birmingham and Ryan Gregson will compete at the famous south London venue in the Emsley Carr mile where they will be joined on the start line by world 1500m champion Bernard Lagat.

St. Lawrence and Dent to do battle in Launceston 10k

Ben St Lawrence and Marty Dent are all set for an intriguing battel over 10k in the Launcestron 10k this Sunday.  Dent is using the event as part of their preparations for the World Championships marathon in Berlin next month while St.Lawrence is making a last ditch effort to convince selectors to add him to the Australian team for Berlin in the 5000m with the final selection meeting due that afternoon. Eloise Wellings will take another step on her pathway back to top form by contesting the women's race in Launceston.

Campbell entered in Paris Golden League

Irishman David Campbell will back up after his duel with Australian champion Nick Bromley over 800m in Luzern on Wednesday night with his 2nd Golden League meeting of the season in Paris on Friday night. Campbell will race the 800m and be looking to improve on his personal best  of 1.45.59 set when placing 4th in Oslo's Bislett Games.

Riseley runs 3.32.93 in Rome

Jeff Riseley is now Australia's 2nd fastest ever 1500m after improving his personal best again to place 8th at the Golden Gala meeting in Rome last night. The 21-year-old is now withing 1 second of Simon Doyle's 18-year-old Australian and Oceania 1500m record.

Gregson 4th in World University Games 1500m

Ryan Gregson has placed 4th in a slow and difficlut roughly run race at the World University Games in Belgrade. The Australian junior star was boxed in until 400m to go and looked a winning chance until his run to the line was interupted by a fall in the home straight. He finished just half a second from the winner. He will now run a 1500m in Huesden next Saturday (June 18)

Next up for Riseley is Rome

Jeff Riseley returns to the Golden Gala in Rome this Friday night for his next race, this time over 1500m - his first in Europe this campaign. Rome is the venue where Riseley qualified for the Beijing Olympics last year but in 2010 he hope to run quite a bit faster than the the 3.36.03 he ran there last year.

Lisa Weightman wins Gold Coast half marathon, Shane Nankervis 2nd in the marathon

Lisa Weightman smashed her best time by over a minute to record a commanding victory in the Gold Coast half marathon proving she is well on track for the World Championships marathon in Berlin next month. Marty Dent did likewise with a personal best of 62.16 to place 3rd in the men's event. Both runners are looking for marathon personal bests in Berlin.  In the marathon Shane Nankervis had a terrific run to place 2nd to Kenyan William Chebon in a time of 2:16.48. In the 10k event  youngster Harry Summers placed 2nd in 30.00min wihile Mitch Kealey showed he is building fitness after a long injury lay-off with a personal best of 30.18 in 3rd place.

Riseley and Birmingham climb Aussie all-time lists in Olso

Jeff Riseley moved to no.3 on the Australian all-time list with his 5th place in the Dream MIle at the Bislett Games in 3.51.25 while Collis Birmingham stepped into no.2 in the 5000m with his 13.14.53 cloccking for 13th place behind a troupe of Africans in the 5000m. Riseley also improved his personal best en route in the 1500m with 3.35.26. In the men's 800m Irishman David Campbell recorded a new personal best in the 800m of.14.5.59 for 5th placing while in the 1500m youngser Ryan Gregson made the evening a total success by running 3.37.76 for 6th place in the 1500m.

Nick Bromley 3rd in Velenje, Kaila McKnight 4th

Nick Bromley has bounced back from a bad run when ill in the 1500m in Sollentuna with a 3rd placing in the 800m in Velenje in 1.48.94. At the same meeting Kaila McKnight tuned up for the World University Games this week with a 4th placing in the women's 800m in 2.05.83.

 

Mitch Kealey takes another step forward after long period injured

Beijing Olympic 1500m runner Mitch Kealey will take another step back toward full fitness by competing in the Gold Coast 10k this weekend which is part of the Gold Coast marathon festival in Queensland this weekend. Kealey missed the whole Australian season with a foot injury but is now training pain free and looking forward to testing himself in competition on Sunday.

Riseley and Birmingham head group for Oslo's Bislett Games

Australian champions Jeff Riseley and Collis Birmingham will be joined by rising junior star Ryan Gregson and Irish star Dave Campbell in Friday (July 3) night's Bislett Games in Oslo. Both Riseley (mile) and Birmingham (5000m) are coming off some outstanding training of late and are looking to translate this in to top class results. Gregson races the 1500m while Campbell lines up in the 800,.

Kaila McKnight in 800m race as final tune up for World University Games

Fresh of her maiden victory in Europe, Kaila McKnight heads to Slovenia with Nick Bromley and Peter Nowill for the 13th international meeting in Velenje on Thursday (July 2). Kaila runs in the 800m as does Bromley while Nowill will contest the 3000m steeplechase.

Shane Nankervis returns to the marathon at Gold Coast this weekend

Australian half marathon champion will contest his first marathon in over 12 months when he lines up on the Gold Coast next Sunday (July 5) morning. Nankervis heads into the race confident of his form after finishing 2nd to World Championships marathon team member, Scott Westcott in Christchurch in May. Nankervis has a personal best of 2:12.33 set in Berlin in 2005 and should he run up to that form he should be in contention for victory on Sunday.

Kaila McKnight win's in Sweden

Kaila McKnight gave herself some confidence as she approaches the World University Games in Belgrade next month with a 5 second victory in the 1500m at the Swedish Grand Prix in Sollentuna last night (June 25) in a new personal best of 4.10.01. At the same meeting Dave Campbell went within a stride of beating Sudanese 800m star when he was 2nd in the 1500m in 3.40.10. In the men's 3000m Mark Draper was 4th in 7.57.93

Melbourne Track Club treble at Scottish Championships

Benita Willis, Collis Birmingham and Nick Bromley were all dominant winners at the Scottish Championships at Pitreavie near Edinburgh today (June 21). Benita ran alone for the last 3000m of the 5000m to win by almost 300m, Collis ran the last 1km in 2.25 to win the 1500m by 4 secs and Bromley was too strong over the final 100m for the field after a pedestrian first lap. Details will appear in the results section tomorrow.

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Andy Baddeley sets European mile lead

Olympic 1500m finalist Andy Baddeley set Europe's fastest mile time when he recorded 3.51.83 to place 2nd at the Golden Spike meeting in Ostrava on June 17. Baddeley's next race will be the Dream mile in Oslo on July 3, the venue he notched a famous victory last year setting 2008's fastest mile time.

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Jeff Riseley sets 800m personal best

Australian 1500m champion Jeff Riseley set a new 800m personal best of 1.45.48 in placing 3rd in the B heat of the (8th overall at the meeting) at the Golden Spike meeting in Ostrava on June 17. It was almost a whole second faster than Riseley's previous best and it now ranks him no.7 all-time amongst Australians. His next race will be the Dream Mile in Oslo on July 3.

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Ryan Gregson runs first sub 4 minute mile in Ostrava

Competing is his first open European grand prix race, 19-year-old Ryan Gregson became the 45th Australian and the 3rd Australian junior to run a sub 4-minute-mile. Gregson placed 12th behind a slew of Africans and Briton Andy Baddeley racing only 5 days after he had arrived in Europe.

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Benita Willis, Collis Birmingham and Nick Bromley in Scotland this weekend.

Benita Willis (5000m), Coilis Birmingham (1500m) and Nick Bromley (800m) are the headline names at this weekend's (June 20-21) Scottish Athletics Championshionships at Pitreavie near Edinburgh. It will be Benita's first race on the track since 2007 and for Birmingham an attempt to win his 3rd straight Scottish 1500m title.

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Scott Westcott 2nd in NSW cross country championship

Scott Westcott has placed 2nd in NSW 12km cross country championship in Nowra today (June 20), an event he was using as part of his preparation for the World Championships marathon in Berlin in August. Today he was 2nd to former national cross country championship Jeff Hunt running 39.35 on the tough Nowa course. In the women's 8km championship Eloise Wellings place 4th in in 31.28 with the race won by former Australian 10,000m champion Melinda Vernon.

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