Ryan's Blog
It's Been a Rough Year...
The 2011 athletics season has finished and it's been an interesting one to say the least. In a season that promised so much at the...read more
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Welcome to Melbourne Track Club
Birmingham leads the way on the track.
Collis Birmingham has lead the way at the Graeme Briggs Memorial meet in Hobart, recording an A qualier in winning the 5000m in 13.15.57 . The first 7 athletes accross the line in the 5000 where part of Melbourne Track Club, with Ben st Lawerence running away from Nick Mccormick over the last two laps to finish second.
In the Mens 1500, Jordan Williamsz claimed his second win of the domestic season over MTC and Irishmen, Paul Robinson, in 3.43.08. Whilst Zoe Buckman ran away from the field in the womens 1500m to win in 4.11.65. The men's 800m saw James Kaan take victory, whilst Ryan Gregson touched the ground with 350 to go but managed to come home to finish third.
Results:
5000m:
1 Birmingham, Collis VIS 13:15.57
2 St Lawrence, Ben NSWIS 13:24.30
3 McCormick, Nick GBR 13:32.88
4 Summers, Harry NSW 13:34.58
5 Vernon, Andy GBR 13:38.10
6 Abdi, Youcef NSWIS 13:38.41
7 Robinson, Brett ACT 13:40.98
1500m:
1 Williamsz, Jordan VIS 3:43.08
2 Robinson, Paul IRELAND 3:43.96
Women 1500m:
1 Buckman, Zoe VIS 4:11.65
4 Bleasdale, Julia GBR 4:16.56
800m:
1 Kaan, James NSWIS 1:49.22
3 Gregson, Ryan NSWIS 1:49.82
Training Camp at Falls Creek under way.
The annual Melbourne Track Club training camp has been underway for a week now. With Australians Collis Birmingham, Ben StLawerence, Jordy Williamsz, Zoe Buckman, Brett Robinson, Ryan Gregson and Youcef Abdi, English Andy Vernon, Charlotte Browning and Nick McCormack, and Irish men Paul Robinson and David Campbell. With Lachlan Renshaw, Kaila Mcknight and Jeff Riseley all arriving in the next few days. The camp is being supervised by Garry Henry, who is leading the charge as always on his bike.
3 Team Medals at Euro Cross Country
Andy Vernon and Mark Draper helped the British team to silver medal placing 9th and 22nd in European cross country. Julia Bleasdale was on the British gold medal winning team placing 13th in the women’s race. Vernon arrives in Australia to train with his Melbourne Track Club training partners in 3 weeks time and Bleasdale arrives this Thursday.
Good Night at zatopek capped by two national titles.
Ben St Lawerence and Emily Brichacek have won national 10,000m titles. St Lawerence all but booked his spot in the Olympic team with his 2nd consective national 10k crown, in finishing 4th overall, in a time of 28.01.68. Brichacek won her first open track National Title in finishing third in a time of 33.02.55. In other action, fellow MTC athletes Jordan Williamsz followed in the footsteps of MTC athletes Ryan Gregson and Collis Birmingham by winning the DeCastella Junior 3000m in a time of 8.13.75. Whilst Brett Robinson won the 1500m in a time of 3.43.29.
MTC to begin season at Zatopek:10
Brett Robinson, Ben StLawerence, Emily Brichacek and Jordy Wiliamsz will begin the track campaign this Saturday night at the Zatopek:10, at the new Lakeside Stadium. Robinson will be contesing the 1500m, while Williamsz wll be toeing the line in the prestigous DeCastella 3000m for Under 20 athletes. Whilst StLawerence will be aiming to book his place in the Olympic team for the London Olympics with good run in the 10,000m, which also doubles as the national titles and the Olympic Trials. Brichacek will also be running the 10,000m and will be looking to win her first senior national title on the track.
Willis wins on the Vegas Strip
Benita Willis has won the Rock N Roll half marathon in Las Vegas in a time of 1.10.40. "It's probably the best race I've done since 2006, the next goal is to try to make the Olympics and run well in Houston," Willis said. Nex up for Willis now is to run the Chevron Houston Marathon on January 15 to qualify for the Olympic Games. She needs to run at least 2:32 under Athletics Australia guidelines to be considered for the team.
Dent runs PB In Fukuoka
Marty Dent has run a PB of 2.12.23 in finishing eighth in the Fukuoka Marathon. Unfortunately he was 23 seconds short of the olympic qualifyng standard of 2.12.00 set by Athletics Australia. However he was well under the IAAF set qualifying standard of 2.15.00. Dent passed through half-way in 65:39 and was on 2:11:12 pace through 35km before tiring in the last 7 km.
Vernon WIns European XC Trial
Andy Vernon has defeated fellow MTC athletes Mark Draper (2nd) and Ricky Stevenson (17th) to claim the UK Mccain Cross Challenge incorporating theEuropean Cross Country Trials in Liverpool. With the victory he secures his place on the UK team for the Spar European Cross Country Championships in Velenje, Slovenia, on the 11th of December. Whilst in the women's race Julia Bleasedale finished 6th, just 34 seconds behind the winner and only 7 seconds behind 3rd. Full race report can be found here:
www.uka.org.uk/media/news/november-2011/26-11-11-mccain-liverpool-report/
Curtis 4th in US 10,000m
Bobby Curtis has missed a place on the USA team for the World Championships in Daegu when he finished in 4th place in the USA 10,000m Championship in Eugene, Oregon tonight (June 23). In a slow tactical race Curtis ran the last 800m in 1.56 but it was no match for Galen Rupp, Matt Tegenkamp and Scott Bauhs who finished ahead of him in the final 2 lap burn up to get the 3 places on the American team for Daegu event in August, Curtis will come to London next week now and prepare to run the Diamond League 5000m in Birmingham on July 10.
Gregson wins in comeback race
In his first race since a stress fracture ended his season early last August, Ryan Gregson has taken out the International Mile at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene last night. Gregson ran 3.53.86 to win this event for the 2nd year running. Also at the meeting training partner Collis Birmingham bounced back to form after an Achilles tendon injury ruled him out of the World Cross Country in March by placing 7th in a world class 2mile race in a personal best of 8.17.91
Riseley wins in Ostrava with world lead
Australian 1500m champion Jeff Riseley captured his first major European victory winning the 1000m at the Golden Spike meeting in Ostrava earlier today. Riseley ran 2:16.75 just shy of the Australian record bur a meeting record and world leading time to remain undefeated in 2011. His next race is the Dream Mile in Oslo.
Baddeley launches track season with a win
Andy Baddeley got his 2011 track season underway with a win at the Sport City BMC grand prix over 800m. Baddeley won by almost 1 second running 1.48.56 with another Melbourne Track Club athlete Jack Bolas running a personal best to finish second in 1.49.53. Baddeley and Bolas will next compete at the Diamond League meeting in Oslo where Baddeley joins Jeff Riseley in the Dream Mile and Bolas joins Rowdy Miller in the 1500m on June 9.
Rowdy Miller captures first European victory in Nijmegen
American, Rowdy Miller set a new 1500m personal best when he claimed his first ever European victory at the Nijmegen Global Athletics meeting in Holland last night. Miller beat Briton Nick McCormick running 3.37.56 with training partner, fellow American Jack Bolas 5th in 3.39.17. The pair are due to compete again at the Manchester British Milers Club grand prix on Saturday with Miller contesting the 1500m and Bolas the 800m. Andy Baddeley is also set to contest the 800m with Mark Draper will run in the 1500m.
Riseley moves to no.3 all-time Australian 800m man in LA
A late decision for Jeff Riseley to enter Occidental High Performance Meeting in Los Angeles last Saturday has enabled him to improve his personal best to 1.45.02 and move to no.3 all-time Australian behind Ralph Doubell and Peter Bourke. Riseley was only offered a lane in the 3rd division of the 800m but it didn't stop him as he won by almost 1.5secs giving him confidence for 2 races in Europe in Ostrava in Oslo after a tough training camp at Mt Laguna in California.
Nikki Chapple and Marty Dent return with victories in SMH half marathon
In their first race back after injuries, Nikki Chapple and Marty Dent have gone straight back to the winning list with victories in the SMH half marathon in Sydney on Sunday. On the testing hilly course NIkki won by four minutes in 72.55 with Marty taking 65.00 to take the men's prize.
James Kaan 2nd in Japan
Australian 800m champion James Kaan has finished 2nd in the first of his two race Asian tour in the 800m at the Golden Grand Prix in Kawasaki, Japan on Saturday in 1.47.25. Kaan races over 800m again at the Colorful Daegu meeting on Thursday. Also in action there will be Zoe Buckman and Kaila McKnight in the women's 1500m
Ben St Lawrence sets Australian 10,000m record at Stanford
Ben St Lawrence is the new Australian 10,000m record holder after placing 3rd over 10,000m in the Kim McDonald Memorial 10k at Stanford University in California on Sunday night. Ben's time of 27.24.95 eclipsed the two-year-old record set by training partner Collis Birmingham in 2009. It was a 35 second personal best for Ben. A step in front of Ben at Stanford was another Melbourne Track Club athlete Bobby Curtis who ran a personal best of 27.24.67 to move him to no.7 on the USA all-time list.
Australian Championships begin in Melbourne tomorrow.
The final ever athletics event to be held at Melbourne's Olympic Park will get underway tomorrow when the 89th version of the Australian Championships get underway. Among the MTC athletes favoured to win Australian titles are Youcef Abdi (steeple), Lachlan Renshaw (800m) Kaila McKnight (1500m), Victoria Mitchell (steeple) and Jeff Riseley (1500m).
Collis Birmingham and Mike Aish to race London Marathon on Sunday.
After an injury set back that forced him to miss the World Cross Country, Collis Birmingham has declared himself fit for his debut at the distance in London marathon on Sunday. Collis will be joined by 2008 Rock N Roll Arizona marathon winner Mike Aish. Weaher forecast for the race is 16 degrees and sunny and as is expected in London an absolutely loaded field Collis and Mike have every chance to run good time.
Bobby Curtis and Ben St Lawrence to run Boston 5k
Bobby Curtis and Ben St Lawrence will contest the 5k road event the day before the Boston marathon in Boston on Sunday April 16. Curtis and St Lawrence are currently training at altitude in Mt Laguna in California with Craig Miller and Eloise Wellings. Miller will join Andy Baddeley in the mile race in Boston also on the day before the marathon. Baddeley won this race last year. Charlotte Browning will run the women's mile race.
Riseley heads to Australian Championships unbeatean in 2011
Jeff Riseley will go to the Australian Championships in Melbourne in two weeks unbeaten this year after winning the 800m at the Australian Athletics Tour final in Perth. Riseley will only contest the 1500m at the final athletics event ever to be held at Olympic Park.
Abdi takes world lead in 3000m steeplechase
Youcef Abdi moves to the top of the world list of the 3000m steeplechase with his win in the New South Wales State Championships in 8.38.23. Abdi joins Jeff Riseley (1500m 3.36.73) and Collis Birmingham (3000m 7.50.07) as other Melbourne Track Club world leaders as 2011 approaches the end of its first quarter.
Riseley and Renshaw to race over 800m in Perth on March 31
Australia's top two performing middle distance runners Jeff Riseley and Lachlan Renshaw will meet over 800m at the Perth meeting of the Australian Athletics Tour next Thursday March 31. Renshaw has improved his personal best to 1.45.66 for 800m this season while Riseley won the 1500m events in Hobart and Melbourne convincingly. James Kaan and Tristan Garrett will also be in the race.
Forrest improves half marathon person best by over a minute in NY
Shawn Forrest beat his best time by 79 seconds when placing 9th in the New York City half marathon in 1:01.25 in New York City today. Forrest kept pace with eventual winner Mo Farah as part of a lead group of 10 and duelled the last 6km with dual New York marathon winner Marlson dos Santos of Brazil. Forrest intends to make his marathon debut later this year.
Birmingham, St Lawrence, Tamsett and McKnight to get expert advice at World Cross Country in Spain Sunday
Two-time World Cross Country champion Sonia O'Sullivan will be on hand to advise the Australian team which Collis Birmingham, Ben St. Lawrence, Lara Tamsett and Kaila McKnight form the backbone of in Punta Umbria, Spain on Sunday. O'Sullivan won both the short and long course world titles in 1998 and was also a member of two bronze medal winning Irish teams at the World Cross Country. In 2004 O'Sullivan coached the Australian team that won a bronze medal.
James Kaan will join chase pack behind Rudisha in Sydney 800m
After running a personal best and his first sub 3.40 time over 1500m in Melbourne James Kaan will turn his attention back to his main event, the 800m when he joins the chase pace behind world record holder David Rudisha from Kenya at the Sydney Traclk Classic on March 19. Kaan and Lachlan Renshaw will both be chasing the 800m standard for the World Championships in Daegu later this year of 1.45.40 in the Sydney race.
Andy Baddeley into final of the European Indoor 3000m
Great Britain's no.1 1500m runner Andy Baddeley will test himself against Europe's best distance runners in the European Indoor 3000m final in Paris tonight. Baddeley qualified by placing 3rd in his heat. He faces a top field which includes Portugals 2004 Olympic 1500m silver medallist Rui Silva and last year's double European 5000m and 10,000m champion Mo Farah from Great Britain.
Riseley and Gregson to team up at Penn Relays in April
An Australian team will again take on the best middle distance nations in the world at the Penn Relays in the Distance Medley Relay in Philadelphia at the end of April. Australian 1500m record holder Ryan Gregson now fully recovered from injury and training hard in the Victorian Alps at Falls Creek will team up with Jeff Riseley again the winner at the Melbourne Track Classic over 1500m last Thursday, Lachlan Renshaw who just set a new 800m personal best in Melbourne and Commonwealth 400m silver medallist Sean Wroe who will run the 1 lap leg.
Riseley aiming for 3rs straight win at Melbourne Track Classic
Jeff Riseley will need to beat 2008 Olympic 1500m champion Asbel Kiprop and silver medallist Nick Willis to take his 3rd straight 1500m race at the 2011 Melbourne Track Classic. It's a tough task but Riseley will be going to the line confident of his fitness and form after a win in his first race of the year in Hobart last week. Also seeking headlines at the final Melbourne international meeting to be held at Olympic Park will be Collis Birmingham and Ben St Lawrence in the 5000m (also the Australian Championship) and Kaila McKnight in the 1500m.
Shawn Forrest in World's Best 10k in Puerto Rico on Sunday
Shawn Forrest will test his fitness ahead of the New York City half marathon on March 20 in the World's Best 10k in Purero Rico on Sunday (Feb 26). Forrest was in top form winning the Rock N Roll Arizona half marathon in January and is looking to beat as many of world class field as possible on Sunday and challenge his best 10k road performance of 28.16 set at Beach to Becon last August.
Riseley and St Lawrence win in Hobart
Jeff Riseley and Ben St Lawrence had commanding victories at the Hobart leg of the Australia Athletics Tour in Tasmania on Sunday. Riseley won the 1500m by 2 seconds from James Kaan and Brett Robinson in 3.44.44 while Ben St Lawrence won the 5000m by 4 secs from David McNeil and Craig Miller in 13.47.94. Strong winds made fast times near impossible but both runners are confident they can go much faster in better weather when they next race at the Melbourne Track Classic at Olympic Park on March 3.
Baddeley in Aviva Indoor Grand Prix in Birmingham tonight
Great Britain's no.1 1500m runner Andy Baddeley will take on Africa's finest Augustine Choge from Kenya and Deresse Mekkonen from Ethiopia over 1500m at Britain's premier indoor meeting in Birmingham tonight. Baddeley won the UK European Indoor Championships 3000m trial last Sunday and will use this 1500m race to sharpen for the European Indoor 3000m Championship in Paris next month.
Jeff Riseley returns to racing after 10 month absence in Hobart on Sunday
Former Australian 1500m champion Jeff Riseley will make his return to racing following surgery to repair plantar fascia last year when he races over 1500m at the Graeme Briggs Memorial in Hobart on Sunday. Riseley has been training very well at high altitude in Falls Creek and is hoping Sunday's race will take him forward for his big clash against Olympic gold and silver medallists from the Beijing Olympic 1500m Asbel Kiprop of Kenya and Nick Willis of New Zealand in Melbourne on March 3.
Ben St Lawrence to tune up for Melbourne 5k in Hobart on Sunday
Australian 10,000m champion Ben St Lawrence will be looking for a confidence building run against American Rowdy Miller over 5,000m in Hobart on Sunday ahead of the star-studded clash over 5000m at the final international meeting at Olympic Park in Melbourne on March 3. The Melbourne 5k features American stars, Bernard Lagat, Chris Solinsky, Matt Tegenkamp, Chris Nelson, Andrew Bumbalough, Miller plus Australia's best Collis Birmingham, St Lawrence, Craig Mottram, David McNeil and Liam Adams. Also in the field will be Kenyan Isaac Songok who has a personal best of 12.48.66 for the event.
Andrew Letherby returns to elite marathon racing in Beppu-Oita marathon tomorow
2002 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist , Andrew Letherby takes to the start line in fast city marathon for the first time since London marathon in 2008 on Sunday in Japan. Letherby placed 30th in the World Championships marathon in Berlin in 2009 but as purposely held off an assault on a fast time since 2008 with the aim of being in his best condition to chase the Athletics Australia Olympic qualifying time of 2:12 at the Beppu- Oita Mainichi marathon tomorrow. Andrew, now 37 has a best time of 2:11.42 from 2005 and he feels his preparation rates him a chance at repeating that in Japan.
Bobby Curtis out to win US cross country title on Saturday in San Diego
Bobby Curtis goes into tomorrow's USA cross country championship in Mission Bay Park in San Diego aiming to claim his first American title. Curtis place 3rd in the US Cross Country in 2009 and was 5th last year. He was also ranked number 4 in the USA over 5000m and 10,000m in 2010 but plans to take a step up in 2011 to build on his aim of representing the US in the 2012 Olympics. He faces a tough test tomorrow with a quality field that includes 2008 US Olympians Matt Tegenkamp, Jorge Torres and Abdi Abdirahman in Saturday's race.
Mike Aish wins Rock N Roll marathon in Denver
After considering retirement from the sport this year Mike Aish was able to make triumphant return to competition on the weekend claiming the 3rd marathon victory of his career when he took out the Rock N Roll marathon in Denver in 2hr.30.37 to win by 12 minutes. Aish has previously won marathons in Arizona and Christchurch, NZ.
Eloise Wellings prepared to give everything in medal chase tonight in Delhi
Eloise Wellings is now focussed on fighting as hard as he possibly can to win a medal in tonight's 10,000m final at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi. Initially Wellings was relieved just to be getting on the plane after overcoming some injury problems during her preparation but after some promising workouts on the track in Delhi in the last week she now feels she is able to challenge for a podium spot tonight.
Birmingham and St Lawrence to double back in the 10,000m in Delhi
Collis Birmingham and Ben St Lawrence will be back on the track for the Commonwealth Games 10.000m in Delhi on Monday after their brave runs in the 5000m on the opening night of athletics at the Games where they placed 6th and 7th. Both are looking forward to a 2nd opportunity to return to Australia with medals from Delhi.
Andy Baddeley 3rd in 5th Ave mile
England's Andy Baddeley tuned up for next months Commonwealth Games in Delhi by placing 3rd in the 5th Ave mile on the streets of New York City. Baddeley won this race last year when it was his major late season focus but this year the big race for him is still nearly 3 weeks away. His time of 3.53.34 had him just 0.04 behind American Bernard Lagat with the winner Morrocco's Amine Laalou finishing in 3.52.83. Adrian Blincoe who will run the 5000m for New Zealand in Delhi felt good about his performance in NY placing 10th in 3.56.07. Blincoe also intends to contest the 1500m after the 5000m.
Shawn Forrest runs new half marathon best in Philadelphia
Shawn Forrest improved his half marathon best by almost 1minute when he placed 8th in the ING Rock N Roll half marathon in Philadelphia on Sunday in 62.44. Forrest beat several stars of the sport including American marathon record holder Ryan Hall in the race. The North Carolina based Victorian is planning on making his debut at the full marathon in 2011.
Birmingham and St Lawrence to lead Aussies against Baddeley over 2 miles in Great North City Games on Saturday.
Australian Commonwealth Games 5000m runners Collis Birmingham and Ben St Lawrence will lead the Australian team in the 2mile event in Saturday's England vs Australia Great North City Games street athletics match. Andy Baddeley will be the top man in the English team in what is sure to be an interesting race. Baddeley will be joined by England Commonwealth Games team mates, Andy Vernon (10,000m) Stuart Stokes (3000m steeplechase) and Chris Thompson (5000m and 10,000m) while Birmingham and St Lawrence will be supported by Melbourne Track Club colleague Mitch Kealey who is preparing for the 1500m at the Commnwealth Gams in Delhi and former Melbourne Track Club team mate Craig Mottram.
Shawn Forrest ready for Rock N Roll half marathon in Philadelphia on Sunday
Shawn Forrest is looking to make a statement in Philadelphia when he contests the Rock N Roll half marathon on Sunday. Forrest was disappointed when Athletics Australia decided not to select him for the Commonwealth Games 10,000m despite the fact that he had run the selection standard. But rather than moan about it, Forrest had directed his energy toward this race on Sunday. His training has been outstanding over the last month and he's looking to show Australian athletics fans the level of performance he would like to have delivered in an Australian uniform had he been selected for the Games in Delhi.
Ben St Lawrence sets New South Wales 3000m record in Milan
Australian 5000m champion slashed 7 seconds of his personal best and took 3 seconds of Andrew Lloyd's New South Wales 3000m record when at the Noturno di Milan meeting last Thursday night (Sept 9). St Lawrence's time was 7.42.94 to place 7th just a step behind training partner Andy Baddeley who also ran a personal best placing 6th in 7.42.75.
Kealey, McKnight and Abdi added to Australian Commonwealth Games team
Mitch Kealey (1500m) Kaila McKnight (1500m) and Youcef Abdi (3000m steeplechase) have been added to the Australian Commonwealth Games team for Delhi when the final team was announced today. They join other Melbourne Track Club athletes Collis Birmingham (5000m and 10,000m), Ryan Gregson (800m and 1500m), Ben St Lawrence (5000m), Eloise Wellings (5000m and 10,000m), Marty Dent (marathon) and Lisa Flint (marathon) on the Australian team in Delhi.
Andy Baddeley and Hayley Yelling selected for England for Commonwealth Games in Delhi
Andy Baddeley will get another shot at 1500m gold medal this year when he represents England in the Commonwealth Games in Delhi. Baddeley was disappointed with his result at the European Championships in Barcelona this year when he went from 2nd to 6th in the final 50m. He will be joined on the England team by European Cross Country champion Hayley Yelling who will run the 10,000m.
Ryan Gregson sets national 1500m record
Still only 20 years of age, Ryan Gregson has improved his 1500m best time by over 4 secs to break Simon Doyle's Oceania and Australian 1500m record in Monaco (July 22), Gregson's time of 3.31.06 placed him 5th in the Diamond League 1500m event making him the 5th fastest in the world this year.
Adrian Blincoe named in 2 events in New Zealand Commonwealth Games team
New Zealand 5000m record holder Adrian Blincoe will contest both the 5000m and the 1500m after being named in both those events for New Zealand at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi. Blincoe has also been selected to represent Asia Pacific in the 3000m at the Continental Cup in Split in September. He will be joined in that event by Ben St Lawrence. Other Australians in the Asia Pacific team for the Continental Cup are Collis Birminham (5000m), Ryan Gregson (800m and 1500m), Kaila McKnight (1500m and 3000m) and Youcef Abdi (3000m steeplechase)
Kaila McKnight wins in France
Kaila McKnigth followed her 1500m personal best in Sotteville, France last Saturday with her first win of her 2010 European season when she took out the 1500m in Herouville north of Paris last night (June 16). After running a Commonwealth Games A standard of 4.08.78 for 3rd in Sotteville Kaila had the confidence to finish strongly over her rivals and take the win on a windy evening in Herouville in 4.17.39. Her next race will be over 1500m in Nancy, France on June 25.
Melbourne Track Club athletes 1,2,3 in Balmoral Burn
Lachlan Renshaw led a one podium sweep by Melbourne Track Club atheltes in Mosman's Balmoral Burn 600m sprint race uphill today (May 30). Renshaw fell over the line and just managed to beat Ryan Gregson by a millimetres in a photo finish to claim the $3000 1st prize. James Kaan was another 2metres back in 3rd place.
Birmingham 2nd in Dessau
Collis Birmingham has begun his European season on the track by placing 2nd to Kenyan Nicholas Kemboi in the 1500m in at Anhalt 2010 in Dessau in northern Germany on Friday (May 28). Collis ran 3.38.63 to finish 2m behind the Kenyan. Bobby Curtis was 11th in 3.42.60. Collis races next over 5000m in Turin, Italy on June 12 and Bobby will contest a 5000m in Montreuil, France with Ben St Lawrence on June 8.
Hayley Yelling and Mike Skinner to represent Great Britain in Euro Challenge 10,000m
European cross country champion Hayley Yelling and Mike Skinner have been selected on the Great Britain team for the Euro Challenge 10,000m in Marseilles, France on June 5. Hayley will be looking to run faster than 33.00 and Mike to beat 28.50.00 which are the selection standards for the English Commonwealth Games team going to India this October.
Ben St Lawrence sets personal best in first European track race
Australian 5000m champion Ben St Lawrence set a a six second personal best of 7.49.28 to place 10th in the 3000m at the Ostrava Golden Spike meeting in the Czech Republic last night in his first ever European track race. Andy Baddeley sharpened up for next week's Olso Dream mile by placing 9th in the 800m in 1.47.46
Lisa Flint and Marty Dent confirmed for Commonwealth Games marathons in Delhi
Australian marathon champion Lisa Flint and Australia's best place male marathon runner at last year's World Championships in Berlin, Marty Dent have been added to the Australian Commonwealth Games marathon team headed to India in October. Lisa will test her preparations with the Christchurch half marathon in New Zealand next month while Marty is focussed on the Gold Coast half marathon in July ahead of the Commonwealth Games marathon.
Kaila McKnight 2nd in Daegu 1500m
Kaila McKnight has opened her northern hemisphere season with a strong 2nd placing in the 1500m at the Daegu IAAF World Challenge meeting in South Korea today. Kaila ran 4.15.90 to finish half a meter behind New Zealand's Nikki Hamblin. Kaila will now travel to London to prepare for a series of races in Europe.
Melissa Rollison wins Gateway Bridge Bolt
Commonwealth Games steeplechase silver medallist Melissa Rollison took another step toward full fitness when she the Gateway Bridge Bolt over 4km in Brisbane on Sunday beating Queensland 1500m champion Lucy Kennedy by 7 seconds n 13.02. Melissa will run a 3000m track race at University of Queensland this Friday night.
Marty Dent wins Sydney Morning Herald half marathon
Marty Dent proved he is on track for the Commonwealth Games marathon later this year with a victory in the Sydney Morning Herald Half marathon in 64.28 today (Sunday May 16). Dent is awaiting news from the Australian Commonwealth Games Association that he has indeed been selected for the marathon in Delhi in October this year.
Ben St Lawrence 7th in Healthy Kidney 10k
Ben St Lawrence has ran his best ever road race finishing 7th in the Healthy Kidney 10k in NY city in 28.37. Collis Birmingham was 14th in 29.16 well below his best but back moving forward after losing almost 2 weeks training with severe blisters when losing a shoe running the first leg of the Distance Medley Relay at the Penn Relays last month. Ben and Collis now move to London to prepare for some racing on the track.
Eloise Wellings 2nd in Osaka 5000m
Eloise Wellings recorded her best time for almost 4 years when she was 2nd in the Osaka Grand Prix 5000m to Kenyan Ann Mwangi in 15.16.87. Eloise ran just over 6min for the final 2km to be too strong for Japanese record holder Kayoko Fukishi but unable to hold out the Japanese based Kenyan. Eloise will race over 5000m again in Shanghai on May 23 before moving to Europe for the European summer. Also in Osaka James Kaan took over 2 seconds off his 1500m personal best placing 2nd in 3.40.80.
Kaila McKnight wins Vic 4k cross country
Australian 1500m champion Kaila McKnight claimed a comfortable 27 second victory in the Victorian 4km cross country championship at Warragul on Saturday. McKnights used the race as part of her preparation for an international track tour beginning with a 1500m in Daegu, South Korea on May 19. McKnight hopes to push her case for selection in the Commonwealth Games team bound for Delhi in October.
Curtis slashes 10,000m best at Stanford
Bobby Curtis moved to no.11 on the US all-time list for 10,000m when he took over 30 seconds off his personal best running 27.33.38 for 8th place in the Kim McDonald Memorial 10,000m at Stanford University on May 1. Curtis who has returned to the MTC training camp in Mt Laguna in California where he prepared for the Stanford 10,000m with Ben St Lawrence, Andy Baddeley, Mitch Kealey, Collis Birmingham, Mark Draper and Ryan Gregson will look to improve his 5000m best on the track in Europe in June. Shawn Forrest pushed for a place in the Australian Commonwealth Games team by running his 2nd fastest 10,000m of 28.12.48 for 18th place in the race that saw Chris Solinsky become the first American to run the distance in under 27minutes.
Misfortune mars bid for famous victory at Penn Relays
Collis Birmingham had to run most of the 1st 1200m with only one shoe after a Canadian athlete stepped on his shoe at the beginning of the Penn Relays distance medley relay on Saturday robbing the Australian team of it's best chance of victory. Collis kicked off the shoe completely after 120m as he took up the lead and tried to hand over the baton by running from the front. He still ran 2.54 but with severe blisters developing, he began to falter passing the baton to Sean Wroe in 4th place. Wroe ran very well recording 44.8 to slightly close the gap. On the 800m leg Ryan Gregson ran 1.47.28 got back in touch with the field before losing ground in the last 200m. Jeff Riseley ran the 1600m leg in 3.59.63 and was able to join the leaders with 2 laps to run and actually hit the lead with 250m to go before the effort began to tell and he faded to 5th in the home straight. The final time of 9.26.61 was just 1.7 secs behind the winning Kenyan team and the fastest every run by an Australian quartet.
Baddeley wins Boston road mile
Andy Baddeley has won a cold and slippery road mile in Boston on Sunday kicking over the top of Ethiopian Marcos Geneti in the final 20m of the tight Boston circuit. Baddeley's training partner Mark Draper was 4th. Both are now out in California at the Melbourne Track Club training camp in Mt Laguna. They are joined by Mitch Kealey, Ben St Lawrence, Mike Skinner, Neil Gamester and Bobby Curtis with Ryan Gregson, Collis Birmingham and Nick Bromley due to join them on Sunday
Ryan Gregson takes the title from Riseley
Just a few days shy of his 20th birthday Ryan Gregson became the new national 1500m champion when he was able to just edge past Jeff Riseley in last few metres of the race. Both are now selected for this event at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi but Mitch Kealey misses a spot after finishing 4th.
Ben St Lawrence reels in Collis Birmingham in a thriller to take Australian 5k title
With 400m to run Collis Birmingham had a 20m margin over Ben St Lawrence who clinched doggedly to his slim chance of victory. Birmingham had run 4.02 for the previous 4 laps after an opening 3k of 8.36 and immediately had Dave McNeil out of contention but St Lawrence to contend with. Birmingham had been brave but in the end too aggressive as he faltered on the last lap with St Lawrence going past to claim his 1st national title in 13.40 with Birmingham 2nd in 13.42. McNeil was 3rd in 14min.
Rollison returns with a national title and Kaila McKnight wins her first Australian championship
After almost 2 years out of the event with several injuries, Melissa Rollison made her return to the steeplechase by taking out the Australian title in Perth on Saturday. Rollison now hopes to continue to build her fitness and be ready to do better than the Commonwealth Games she won in Melbourne in Delhi at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in October. In the women's 1500m Kaila McKnight ran a brilliant last lap to take her first national 1500m title. Both women will need to run qualifying times before August this year to confirm their selection.
Wellings and Abdi win titles on opening night of Australian Championships
Elosie Wellings is now the Australian 5000m and 10,000m champion after adding the national 5000m title in Perth on Friday night to the 10,000m she won in Melbourne in December. Wellings ran the last km in 2.50 to run away from Lara Tamsett and win in 15.23. In the 3000m steeple Youcef Abdi was pressured until 600m to go by young South Australian Richie Everest but Abdi had too much experience and went on to win in 8.36 with Everest running a huge personal best for 2nd in 8.41.
Riseley and Gregson to meet for the first time since 2008 in Australian 1500m in Perth on Sunday
Australian 1500m champion Jeff Riseley will need beat an in-form Ryan Gregson to defend his national title in Perth today. The two brightest 1500m stars Australia has had for many years have not raced since Gregson was a junior and Riseley was out of form when they were both out of the minor placings at the 2008 Sydney Track Classic 1500m. Last year Riseley emerged as a challenger to Simon Doyle's Australian record when he recorded the 2nd fastest 1500m by an Australian of 3.32.93 in Rome. This summer Gregson showed his capacity to get to that level too by winning the Sydney Track Classic 1500m in 3.35.47 to become the 5th fastest Australian ever. Both athletes should confirm their selection for the Delhi Commonwealth Games in Perth on Sunday where both expect to be medal contenders. Who will win on Sunday?
Abdi ready to defend national steeple title
Australia's best performed runner at the Beijing Olympics, Youcef Abdi is ready to defend his national steeplechase title in Perth tomorrow with the strongest challenge coming from South Australian Richie Everest. Recently Abdi was an easy winner for the New South Wales state title and Everest easily won the Victorian title. Also tomorrow on the opening night of the nationals championships Eloise Wellings and Lara Tamsett look set to fight out the women's 5000m title. Wellings won the national 10,000m title in December with Tamsett getting 3rd on that occassion but in their last 2 meetings at the Melbourne Track Classic and the World Cross Country, Tamsett has finished ahead of Wellings.
Kaan and Bromley tune up for Australian Championships
James Kaan and Nick Bromley sharpened up for next weekend's Australian Championships and Commonwealth Games selection trials in Perth by placing 1st and 2nd in the 800m at the Warratah Invitational in Sydney yesterday (April10). Kaan recorded a season's best of 1.47.57 to win narrowly from Bromley 2nd in 1.47.60.
Forrest returns to racing with a win
Shawn Forrest made his return to racing by winning the 5000m at the Duke Invitational in North Carolina in Good Friday in 14.09.82. Forrest missed the Australian Commonwealth Games 10,000m selection trial last December while recovering from a stress fracture but hopes to prove his fitness and be selected for the Delhi Games by running well at the 10,000m at the Paynton Jordan Inviational at Stanford in California on May 1.
Benita Willis leads Australians home again at World Cross Country
For the eighth time in as many starts Benita Willis has led the Australian team home at the World Cross Country this time placing 17th in Poland overnight. It was also the eighth time Benita has placed in the top 20 in the world at these championships proving to herself that after some moderate form on the track she can still compete with the best in the world. Lara Tamsett was 32nd and Eloise Wellings was 48th as the Australian team placed 8th. In the men's race Collis Birmingham didn't have a good day placing 88th, well down on his 28th placing from last year.
Athletes from 3 countries to represent MTC at World Cross Country in Poland on Sunday
Melbourne Track Club athletes from Australia, Great Britain and the USA will line up at the World Cross Country in Poland on Sunday. 2004 world champion Benita Willis will lead a strong Australian women's team where she will be joined by Lara Tamsett and Eloise Wellings. Collis Birmingham is expected to be the leading competitor for the Australian men's team. European cross country champion Hayley Yelling and Mike Skinner will compete for Great Britain and Bobby Curtis will represent the USA.
Riseley beats Willis again
Jeff Riseley has beaten New Zealand's Olympic 1500m silver medallist for the 2nd time this month this time over 800m in front of his home crowd at the International Track Meeting in Christchurch on Thursday (March 18). This follows Riseley's win over 1500m at the Melbourne Track Classic where he also left the Olympic 1500m champion from Beijing, Asbel Kiprop from Kenya behind him. Other winners in Christchurch included Ryan Gregson in the 1500m and Ben St Lawrence in the 5000m
Curtis qualifies for USA cross country team
Bobby Curtis qualified for his 2nd USA cross country team by finishing 5th in the USA cross country championship in Spokane, Washington on Sunday. Curtis will now join Australian training partner Collis Birmingham on the start line of the 12km World Cross Country Championship in Bydgoszcz, Poland on March 28.
Gregson and Birmingham win big in Tasmania
Ryan Gregson and Collis Birmingham were the stars of the Briggs Memorial Track Classic in Hobart last night with convincing victories that were both inside the Commonwealth A selection standards.Gregson was brilliant winning the 1500m in 3.37.35 to beat Mitch Kealey by over 2 seconds and this in a race he lead from the 500m mark, before giving up the lead to Kealey just before 600m to go and regaining it again with 300m to run. Birmingham was also outstanding running away from Ben St. Lawrence in the last 2km which he covered in 5.12 to record 13.24.62. Both winning times were Tasmanian Allcomers records. Eloise Wellings also recorded a win beating Benita Willis in the 5000m in 15.35.37. Kaila McKnight closed hard in the 800m but just failed to catch Holly Noack and finished 2nd in 2.04.62
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
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
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.
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