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Athletics Australia add marathon and men's 20km walk athletes to nomination list

 

Athletics Australia can today confirm that the following athletes have been identified for nomination to the Australian Olympic Committee in June, subject to them meeting ongoing form and fitness requirements, to compete at the 2012 London Olympic Games in the men’s and women’s marathon, as well as the men’s 20km walk.

 

Marathon nominations are at the discretion of the selectors in accordance with Clause B (4) of the Athletics Australia Nomination Criteria for the 2012 Olympic Games.

 

After considerable discussion, the Athletics Australia Selectors have identified the following six athletes:

-        Jessica Trengove (SA, women’s marathon)

-        Lisa Weightman (Vic, women’s marathon)

-        Benita Willis (Vic, women’s marathon)

-        Michael Shelley (Qld, men’s marathon)

-        Martin Dent (ACT, men’s marathon)

-        Jeff Hunt (NSW, men’s marathon)

 

Dion Russell, Chairman of Selectors, said: “Trengove, Weightman, Willis and Shelley all achieved the Athletics Australia standard for the marathon and as a consequence of theseperformances were added at our discretion to the list of identified athletes for the 2012 Olympic Games.

 

“In exercising our discretion further the Selectors have identified Dent for nomination after taking into account a number of factors including the quality and consistency of his performances during the qualifying period, his performance curve over recent years and his international record.

 

“Similarly in Hunt’s case we took a holistic view when considering his claims against the Nomination Criteria.  This includes the fact that he is a relatively new athlete to the marathon event, with his debut in 2010 the fastest ever by an Australian across the distance.”

 

Nominations for the men’s 20km walk follow the end of the qualifying period on Monday, May 14 2012 and are made at the discretion of selectors in accordance with Clause B (4) of the Athletics Australia Nomination Criteria for the 2012 Olympic Games.

 

Noting that Jared Tallent (Vic) has already been identified in this event by virtue of him winning the Nomination Trial in Hobart (Tas) in February this year, the Selectors have identified the following two additional athletes:

-        Chris Erickson (Vic)

-        Adam Rutter (NSW)

 

Russell continued: “Understanding that Luke Adams was also eligible for this event, the Selectors had to establish which athletes had a stronger case for nomination.

 

“In this instance, we have decided that Erickson and Rutter have stronger claims for nomination for a number of areas listed in Clause B (4) of the Nomination Criteria.”

 

To view and download the Athletics Australia Nomination Criteria for the Olympic Games, please click here.

 

- ENDS -

 

2012 IAAF  WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 10 - July 15, 2012

Barcelona, Spain

For more information, please follow this link to the IAAF website.

 

2012 OLYMPIC GAMES

July 27 - August 12, 2012

London, Great Britain

For more information, please follow this link to the London 2012 website.

 

2012 PARALYMPIC GAMES

August 29 - September 9, 2012

London, Great Britain

For more information, please follow this link to the London 2012 website.

 

ENDS

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The men’s 4x400m relay team has moved one step closer to confirming a lane in London after clocking 3:01.58 for second at the Colorful Daegu Meet in Daegu (KOR) this evening.
 

 

Lead out by national champion Steve Solomon (NSW), the baton was then handed to world championships bronze medallist Ben Offereins (WA) and Olympic nominee Brendan Cole (ACT) before Australian FlameTristan Thomas (Tas) brought the team home.

 

The impressive run sees the aggregate two-time performance of the team improve to 6:03.14 (3:01.56 from the IAAF world championships and 3:01.58 tonight). When compared to the IAAF rankings issued on March 2, 2012, the Australian team sits 10th overall and well within the top-16 countries, who will make up the starters at the Olympic Games.

 

Solomon, who was competing on his 19th birthday, said: “That was awesome, the race couldn’t have gone better. My own 400 was as solid as I wanted it to be, and from what I could see of the other boys’ runs we were strong across the board.

 

“We knew what we had to do here and to come away with a result that essentially sets us up the best we can for London is great, it certainly makes for a great birthday.

 

“I’m so pumped for the team as a whole, this is something that we knew would come but to now have it is oh so sweet. The times seemed to take forever to come up on the screen but its amazing how quickly lactic acid disappears when a result like that pops up.”

 

A second Australian team of Sean Wroe (Vic), Alex Beck (Qld), Matt Lynch (NSW) and Alex Carew (Vic) were third in 3:07.29.

 

Meanwhile in the women's 1500m Kaila McKnight (Vic) and Zoe Buckman (Vic) started, while Jeff Riseley (Vic) lined up in the men's 800m.

 

Eunice Jepkoech Sum (KEN) won the women’s event in a time of 4:05.99, with Meskerem Assefa (4:05.62) second and McKnight third (4:05.64). All three placegetters times were below the previous world lead of 4:07.00. Buckman was fourth in 4:07.25.

 

In the men’s event, Riseley placed sixth in 1:45.98. Mohammed Aman (ETH) won the event in a meet record time of 1:43.51, with Leonard Kirwa Kosencha (KEN, 1:44.74) second and Andreas Bube (DEN, 1:45.27) third.

 

McKnight and Riseley will next start in the women’s 1500m and men’s 800m respectively at Round 2 of the Samsung Diamond League on Saturday night.

 

In other Australian results:

-       Australian championship silver medallist Beck won the men’s 400m ‘B’ Race in 46.73, with Wroe, who raced for the first time since having his appendix removed, was second in 47.21.

-       Vicky Parnov cleared 4.00m in the women’s pole vault, the same height she did at the Doha Diamond League this past weekend. The event was won by Anastasia Savchenko (RUS) with a 4.60m jump.

-       Brandon Starc (NSW) sailed over 2.10m in the men’s high jump to meet his pre-departure standard for the 2011 IAAF world junior championships. He placed 7th overall.

-       Ignisious Gaisah (GHA) won the men’s long jump with a 7.99m leap, with Robbie Crowther (ACT) 11th thanks to a 7.12m best mark.

 

The IAAF is expected to reissue official relay rankings during May, via its website www.iaaf.org.

 

For full results from the Colorful Daegu Meet, please click here.

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Mark Sunday May 27 2012 in the diary for this year’s Humpty Dumpty Balmoral Burn – a fun day out for the entire family that makes a difference to the lives of children across Australia.  With a live performance from dance sensation, Justice Crew, carnival rides and face painting, this year’s Balmoral Burn is fun for young and old.

 

Raising money to buy vital medical equipment that treats and saves the lives of Aussie kids, the Balmoral Burn is now in its 12^th year.  Created by Wallaby great, Phil Kearns, the Balmoral Burn is not just for the elite, entrants can run, walk or crawl up the steep 420 metre stretch of Mosman’s Awaba Street. 

 

Register now as an individual, as a family or as a corporate entry in one of the many events on the day –

9.00am – male/female 60+ and male/female 50-59

9.05am – male/female 40-49

9.10am – male/female 30-39

9.15am – 18 and under

9.20am – Humpty’s Run (for clubs and community groups)

9.25am – open male

9.30am – open female

9.35am – boys/girls 12 and under (includes primary school challenge)

9.45am – girls ‘Head of the Hill’ relay (senior girls’ team event)

10.07am – boys ‘Head of the Hill’ relay (senior boys’ team event)

10.30am – parent and child (12 and under)

10.50am – special burn (special needs)

11.00am – elite invitational female ‘Queen of the Hill’

11.05am – para burn (wheelchair athletes by invitation only)

11.25am – elite invitational male ‘King of the Hill’

11.30am – pet and owner

11.40am – Balmoral ‘No Burn’ walk (hospital challenge)

11.50am – corporate team relay C (4 x 105metre legs – employees only)

12.00pm – corporate team relay B (serious runners, employees and/or non-employees)

12.10pm – corporate team relay A (serious runners/company employees only)

 

The Humpty Dumpty Balmoral Burn continues to make a significant impact on the lives of sick children – to date raising over $12.3 million and purchasing over 720 pieces of medical equipment for children’s hospitals and health services from Liverpool to Blacktown, Armidale to Bingara and 180 other children’s hospitals and wards around the nation.  

 

Date - Sunday May 27 2012

Time - 9.00am – (registrations open 8.00am)

Location - Awaba Street, Mosman

Cost - Adult $30, Under 18 $15, Parent & Child $50 per family, Senior School Relay $200, No Burn Walk $25 or register on-line for an early bird discount

Website - www.humpty.com.au

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Shot putter Dale Stevenson (Vic), javelin thrower Kathryn Mitchell (Vic) and walker Chris Erickson (Vic) have joined Steve Hooker (WA) and Ryan Gregson (NSW) on the Olympic qualifiers list this weekend after performances overnight.

 

Stevenson, who also improved his personal best in the process, threw 20.63m at the Clemson Invitational in South Carolina (USA) to stake his claim for nomination to the Australian Olympic Committee for London 2012.

 

A faultless series, Stevenson opened his campaign with 20.48m, before two 19.93m chucks, 19.95m, 20.35m and 20.63m in round six.

 

Bringing his first Olympic Games one step closer, the 23-year-old couldn’t be happier and will now compete twice more in Tucson (USA) before returning to Melbourne to continue his London build-up.

 

Stevenson said: “Obviously I am ecstatic with the result. Even though it was a relatively small competition, it was the most nervous and excited to throw that I havebeen for a while - the reason being that I knew that it could be the day for me to break through.

 

“Almost all of my indicators over the last month of training here at the University of Georgia have been at a lifetime best level. Although getting the qualifier was a shock, I knew that I was in PB shape.

 

“After throwing 20.48 in my first round, I wasn't going to let myself finish 2cm short of the standard needed so I committed to attacking all remaining throws. Inretrospect, I probably tried a bit too hard in rounds two, three and four and only found my rhythm again in round five in time to nail the last one.

 

“I have an awesome support team who I would like to thank. They know who they are and what they mean to me.”

 

Stevenson is the 2010 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist. Eleventh placed at the IAAF world indoor championships in Istanbul (TUR) earlier this year, he across the National Athletics Series threw 19.11m, 19.42m, 19.83m and 20.16m.

 

Mitchell’s qualifier came when she threw 62.46m in the womens javelin at a meet in Saarbucken (GER).

 

Narrowly missing her personal best of 62.51m that she threw at an unsanctioned meet in January, the result is a relief for the Victorian after not matching her early 2012 form until this weekend.

 

Mitchell is a member of the Australian Flame thanks to her selection to the 2010 Commonwealth Games where she placed fifth with a 54.25m throw.

 

On the Australian Athletics Tour this year, Mitchell threw 57.59m to win at the Adelaide Track Classic, before placing second (59.25m) at the Qantas Melbourne Track Classic and Olympic Trial.

 

Meanwhile at the IAAF Race Walking World Cup in Saransk (RUS), Erickson was the first Australian across the line in the men’s 20km race walk in 1:22:20, both a personal best and an Olympic qualifying mark.

 

Erickson and Adam Rutter (NSW) kept pace with each other throughout the race, with Rutter finishing two places behind Erickson in 23rd in a time of 1:22:54. Luke Adams (NSW) was 27th in 1:23:28, Dane Bird-Smith(Qld) was 45th in 1:25:41 and Rhydian Cowley (ACT) was 91st in 1:32:28.

 

The combined results placed Australia fourth overall in the team event behind Russia, China and Ukraine.

 

Dual Olympic and world championship bronze medallist in the 50km race walk Jared Tallent (Vic) will compete in the longer distance today at 2:30pm AEST, before a women’s team including Australian Flame Regan Lamble(Vic) and Claire Tallent (SA) compete in the 20km race walk at 7:20pm AEST.

For a full review of day one from the IAAF World Race Walking Cup, please click here to visit the Athletics Australia website.

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Samsung Diamond League Doha

Doha, 11/05/2012

Men's results

100 Metres - Men                                              Wind: +0.4 m/s

    1 Gatlin , Justin                  USA       9.87
    2 Powell , Asafa                   JAM       9.88
    3 Clarke , Lerone                  JAM       9.99
    4 Rodgers , Mike                   USA      10.00
    5 Carter , Nesta                   JAM      10.05
    6 Patton , Darvis                  USA      10.11
    7 Harvey , Jacques                 JAM      10.14
    8 Vicaut , Jimmy                   FRA      10.28

200 Metres - Men                                              Wind: -0.5 m/s
                                                            Pts
    1 Dix , Walter                     USA      20.02          4        
    2 Martina , Churandy               NED      20.26          2        
    3 Saidy Ndure , Jaysuma            NOR      20.34          1        
    4 Anderson , Marvin                JAM      20.42                   
    5 Forsythe , Mario                 JAM      20.53                   
    6 Dwyer , Rasheed                  JAM      20.60                   
    7 Ouhadi , Aziz                    MAR      20.70                   
      Salaam , Rakieem                 USA        DNF                  

400 Metres - Men                                              
                                                            Pts
    1 Merritt , LaShawn                USA      44.19          4        
    2 Santos , Luguelín                DOM      44.88          2        
    3 Taylor , Angelo                  USA      44.97          1        
    4 Rooney , Martyn                  GBR      44.99                   
    5 Henry , Tabarie                  ISV      45.20                   
    6 Yousif , Rabah                   SUD      45.42                   
    7 Smith , Calvin                   USA      45.62                   
    8 Schneider , Thomas               GER      47.12                  

800 Metres - Men Race 1                                      

    1 Bosse , Pierre-Ambroise          FRA    1:45.69
    2 El Manaoui , Amine               MAR    1:45.70
    3 Moradi , Sajad                   IRI    1:45.98
    4 Mohammed , Mukhtar               GBR    1:46.41
    5 Yego , Alfred Kirwa              KEN    1:46.46
    6 Manseur , Nadjim                 ALG    1:47.98
    7 Lastennet , Jeff                 FRA    1:48.60
    8 Layachi , Mohamed Amine          ALG    1:51.19
      Al-Quraini , Obaid Abdullah      OMA        DNF                   
      Ali , Belal Mansoor              BRN        DNS                  

800 Metres - Men Race 2                                      

    1 Rudisha , David Lekuta           KEN    1:43.10
    2 Kinyor , Job Koech               KEN    1:43.76
    3 Osagie , Andrew                  GBR    1:44.64
    4 Reina , Antonio Manuel           ESP    1:44.65
    5 Mutua , David Mutinda            KEN    1:44.66
    6 Rimmer , Michael                 GBR    1:44.86
    7 Bube , Andreas                   DEN    1:44.99
    8 Holuša , Jakub                   CZE    1:45.12
    9 Balla , Musaeb Abdulrahman       QAT    1:45.19
   10 Madi , Nabil                     ALG    1:50.46
      Kosgei , Silah Kipkoech          KEN        DNF                  

1500 Metres - Men                                             
                                                            Pts
    1 Kiplagat , Silas                 KEN    3:29.63          4        
    2 Kiprop , Asbel                   KEN    3:29.78          2        
    3 Birgen , Bethwell                KEN    3:31.17          1        
    4 Chepseba , Nixon Kiplimo         KEN    3:31.32                   
    5 Cheboi , Collins                 KEN    3:32.64                   
    6 Özbilen , Ilham Tanui            TUR    3:33.32                   
    7 Gebremedhin , Mekonnen           ETH    3:33.38                   
    8 Komen , Daniel Kipchirchir       KEN    3:33.43                   
    9 Driouch , Hamza                  QAT    3:33.69                   
   10 Kiptoo , Eliah                   KEN    3:33.81                   
   11 Gregson , Ryan                   AUS    3:33.92                   
   12 Brown , Russell                  USA    3:34.11                   
   13 Kaki , Abubaker                  SUD    3:34.34
   14 Boukensa , Tarek                 ALG    3:42.88
      Kipchirchir , Victor             KEN        DNF                   
      Polonet , Vickson Naran          KEN        DNF                   
      Keitany , Haron                  KEN        DNS                  

3000 Metres - Men                                             
                                                            Pts
    1 Choge , Augustine Kiprono        KEN    7:30.42          4        
    2 Kipchoge , Eliud                 KEN    7:31.40          2        
    3 Kipsiro , Moses Ndiema           UGA    7:31.88          1        
    4 Koech , Isiah Kiplangat          KEN    7:32.43                   
    5 Longosiwa , Thomas Pkemei        KEN    7:33.68                   
    6 Soi , Edwin Cheruiyot            KEN    7:38.45                   
    7 Bekele , Kenenisa                ETH    7:40.00                   
    8 Kuma , Abera                     ETH    7:40.85                   
    9 Souleiman , Ayanleh              DJI    7:42.22                   
   10 Arikan , Polat Kemboi            TUR    7:42.31                   
   11 Rotich , Lucas Kimeli            KEN    7:49.48                   
   12 C'Kurui , James Kwalia           QAT    7:51.36                   
   13 Zerguelaine , Anter              ALG    8:21.95
      Boulahfane , Kamal               ALG        DNF                   
      Ndiwa , Remmy Limo               KEN        DNF                   
      Simotwo , Suleiman Kipses        KEN        DNF                  

3000 Metres Steeplechase - Men                                
                                                            Pts
    1 Koech , Paul Kipsiele            KEN    7:56.58          4        
    2 Mateelong , Richard Kipkemboi    KEN    7:56.81          2        
    3 Gari , Roba                      ETH    8:06.16          1        
    4 Kipchoge , Jairus Birech         KEN    8:06.72                   
    5 Kipruto , Conseslus              KEN    8:08.92                   
    6 Nganga , Bernard Mbugua          KEN    8:11.00                   
    7 Kirui , Gilbert Kiplangat        KEN    8:11.27                   
    8 Kipterege , Elijah Chelimo       KEN    8:12.84                   
    9 Ndiku , Jonathan Muia            KEN    8:20.96                   
   10 Kiplagat , Benjamin              UGA    8:22.94                   
   11 Ramolefi , Ruben                 RSA    8:24.28                   
   12 Kipruto , Brimin Kiprop          KEN    8:26.59                   
   13 Ayeko , Simon                    UGA    8:27.13
   14 Mesfin , Nahom                   ETH    8:32.97
   15 Taher , Tareq Mubarak            BRN    8:41.42
   16 Akdag , Tarik Langat             TUR    8:42.36
      Kipkosgei , Nelson               KEN        DNF                   
      Kipkoech , Robert                KEN        DNF                  

High Jump - Men                                               
                                                            Pts
    1 Chondrokoúkis , Dimítrios        GRE       2.32          4        
    2 Williams , Jesse                 USA       2.30          2        
    3 Hanany , Mickael                 FRA       2.30          1        
    4 Oni , Samson                     GBR       2.27                   
    5 Barry , Trevor                   BAH       2.27                   
    5 Thomas , Donald                  BAH       2.27                   
    7 Zhang , Guowei                   CHN       2.27                   
    8 Bába , Jaroslav                  CZE       2.24                   
    9 Kgosiemang , Kabelo              BOT       2.24
   10 Dmitrik , Aleksey                RUS       2.20
   11 Barsham , Muamer Aissa           QAT       2.20
   12 Al-Mannai , Rashid Ahmed         QAT       2.20

Long Jump - Men                                               
                                                            Pts               Wind
    1 Menkov , Aleksandr               RUS       8.22          4              +1.6
    2 Mokoena , Godfrey Khotso         RSA       8.10          2              +0.9
    3 Badji , Ndiss Kaba               SEN       8.04          1              +0.9
    4 Rutherford , Greg                GBR       7.98                         +1.0
    5 Evilä , Tommi                    FIN       7.92                         +0.9
    6 Sdiri , Salim                    FRA       7.79                         +0.6
    7 Smith , Tyrone                   BER       7.69                         +1.5
    8 Howe , Andrew                    ITA       7.16                         +0.8
      Tomlinson , Christopher          GBR         NM                  

Discus Throw - Men                                            
                                                            Pts
    1 Malachowski , Piotr              POL      67.53          4        
    2 Hadadi , Ehsan                   IRI      66.32          2        
    3 Kövágó , Zoltán                  HUN      65.77          1        
    4 Kanter , Gerd                    EST      65.57                   
    5 Harradine , Benn                 AUS      64.29                   
    6 Gowda , Vikas                    IND      64.10                   
    7 Alekna , Virgilijus              LTU      63.99                   
    8 Israel , Märt                    EST      62.82                   
    9 Olgundeniz , Ercüment            TUR      61.84
   10 Casañas , Yennifer Frank         ESP      61.55
   11 Gudžius , Andrius                LTU      60.27

Women's results

100 Metres - Women                                            Wind: +0.7 m/s
                                                            Pts
    1 Felix , Allyson                  USA      10.92          4        
    2 Campbell-Brown , Veronica        JAM      10.94          2        
    3 Fraser-Pryce , Shelly-Ann        JAM      11.00          1        
    4 Okagbare , Blessing              NGR      11.01                   
    5 Moore , LaShauntea               USA      11.13                   
    6 Barber , Mikele                  USA      11.13                   
    7 Stewart , Kerron                 JAM      11.16                   
    8 Simpson , Sherone                JAM      11.22                  

800 Metres - Women                                            
                                                            Pts
    1 Jelimo , Pamela                  KEN    1:56.94          4        
    2 Magiso , Fantu                   ETH    1:57.90          2        
    3 Busienei , Janeth Jepkosgei      KEN    1:58.50          1        
    4 Santiusty , Yuneisy              CUB    1:59.26                   
    5 Jackson , Emma                   GBR    1:59.37                   
    6 Beckwith , Molly                 USA    1:59.51                   
    7 Sum , Eunice Jepkoech            KEN    1:59.94                   
    8 Luka , Tintu                     IND    2:01.09                   
    9 Koech , Cherono                  KEN    2:01.20
   10 Manou , Tamsyn                   AUS    2:02.75
      Kupina , Yekaterina              RUS        DNF                  

3000 Metres - Women                                           
                                                            Pts
    1 Cheruiyot , Vivian Jepkemoi      KEN    8:46.44          4        
    2 Defar , Meseret                  ETH    8:46.49          2        
    3 Kibet , Sylvia Jebiwott          KEN    8:47.49          1        
    4 Burka , Gelete                   ETH    8:48.92                   
    5 Cherono , Priscah Jepleting      KEN    8:50.04                   
    6 Kibiwot , Viola Jelagat          KEN    8:50.63                   
    7 Kisa , Janeth                    KEN    8:51.63                   
    8 Korikwiang , Pauline Chemning    KEN    8:52.04                   
    9 Jamal , Maryam Yusuf             BRN    8:54.51                   
   10 Chepkwemoi , Nancy               KEN    8:56.52                   
   11 Muriuki , Margaret Wangari       KEN    8:57.43                   
   12 Gebreslase , Gotytom             ETH    9:00.97                   
   13 Twell , Stephanie                GBR    9:01.64
   14 Måkestad Bovim , Ingvill         NOR    9:10.45
   15 Weldu , Nazret                   ERI    9:11.32
      Luchkina , Anna                  RUS        DNF                   
      Feyisa , Bertukan                ETH        DNS                   
      Desalegn , Betlhem               UAE        DNS                   
      Mohammed , Alia Saeed            UAE        DNS                  

100 Metres Hurdles - Women                                    Wind: +0.1 m/s
                                                            Pts
    1 Foster-Hylton , Brigitte         JAM      12.60          4        
    2 Wells , Kellie                   USA      12.72          2        
    3 George , Phylicia                CAN      12.79          1        
    4 Ali , Nia                        USA      12.93                   
    5 Felicien , Perdita               CAN      12.95                   
    6 Lopes-Schliep , Priscilla        CAN      12.95                   
    7 Lewis , Yvette                   USA      13.08                   
    8 Holder , Nikkita                 CAN      20.81                  

400 Metres Hurdles - Women                                    
                                                            Pts
    1 Walker , Melaine                 JAM      54.62          4        
    2 Spencer , Kaliese                JAM      54.99          2        
    3 Shakes-Drayton , Perri           GBR      55.25          1        
    4 Boden , Lauren                   AUS      55.75                   
    5 Lambarki , Hayat                 MAR      56.29                   
    6 Chaney , Jasmine                 USA      56.55                   
    7 Jesien , Anna                    POL      56.89                   
    8 McPherson , Stephanie            JAM      58.61                  

Pole Vault - Women                                            
                                                            Pts
    1 Savchenko , Anastasia            RUS       4.57          4        
    2 Spiegelburg , Silke              GER       4.57          2        
    3 Kiriakopoúlou , Nikoléta         GRE       4.50          1        
    4 Boslak , Vanessa                 FRA       4.50                   
    4 Dennison , Kate                  GBR       4.50                   
    6 Janson , Lacy                    USA       4.40                   
    7 Golubchikova , Yuliya            RUS       4.30                   
    8 Saxer , Mary                     USA       4.30                   
    9 Peake , Sally                    GBR       4.20
    9 Kiryashova , Aleksandra          RUS       4.20
   11 Parnov , Vicky                   AUS       4.00
   11 Larsåsen , Cathrine              NOR       4.00
      Pyrek , Monika                   POL         NM                  

Triple Jump - Women                                           
                                                            Pts               Wind
    1 Rypakova , Olga                  KAZ      14.33          4              +0.5
    2 Costa , Keila                    BRA      14.31          2              +0.5
    3 Mbango Etone , Françoise         FRA      14.09          1              +0.3
    4 Veldáková , Dana                 SVK  &n

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On a wet, wintry Sunday morning recently I found myself in a little café having brunch with my cousins and discussing (of all things) Descartes. One of them had been studying the film Blade Runner and the conversation turned to what makes us, well, us. Although far too philosophical for my brain to deal with at that time of morning, it did get me thinking.

As someone who has run all my life, I wonder sometimes when we classify ourselves as a ‘runner’ and not just ‘someone who runs’. How much is what we do part of our identity? And then what happens when it’s taken away?

Despite having a reasonably injury-free year so far, I got a flare-up of Tibialis Anterior tendonitis in early April and have had two weeks off running to try to thoroughly get rid of it. Nothing serious, and not a huge recovery period, but yet it has had an impact on my life. I’ve actually kind of enjoyed finding new sets to do in cross-training, and rocking up to the gym with all its hustle and bustle rather than the lonely roads of a morning. But I’ve noticed how instinctively determined I am to hold on to that ‘runner’ identity – to differentiate myself from the gym junkies or swimmers at the pool.

A few weeks ago I ran the Newcastle Hill2Harbour 10km race, a punishing course around the hilly headland of Bar Beach and Newcastle foreshore. After the monotony of the track season, I was thrilled to be back in this style of racing and, had I not been pushing so hard, would have been able to enjoy a stunning view of the coastline. To top it off, I was really pleased with my time of 33:14 and caught a glimpse of Scott Westcott smashing the 30min barrier as I looped past the finish line. Plus, my dad made the trip up to Newcastle to have a run too, the first time in a year or so that we’ve competed at the same event like old times!  A lot of locals knew about the race, so recently at uni a few people have asked me “Are you the runner?” I don’t know. Am I?

When I do get the go-ahead to pull on the joggers again, I’ll be aiming to get my running legs back in time for the Sydney Morning Herald half marathon. This is a distance I’ve only raced once but the longer mileage seems to suit me better (except perhaps my one “cranky” tendon). In the meantime, mum and I will take on the Mother’s Day Classic 4km in Sydney together for a bit of fun.

I think I my lesson for the moment is to be patient, although it is unlikely I will ever master that! There are only so many episodes of Gilmore Girls you can watch to get through sessions on the stationary bike and I’m seriously not a fan of diving into the pool on winter mornings. Maybe Descartes did have it right – I am injured and thinking about running…therefore I must be a runner!

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 Usain Bolt has marked his form with a lightning fast opening run in Jamaica.

 

In his first individual sprint of 2012, the 100m and 200m world record holder blitzed the field as he crossed the line in a dazzling 9.82 seconds, fellow Jamaican Michael Frater his closest rival - a distant 0.18sec behind.

 

As far as ominous warnings go it doesn’t get any better than this, however, the ‘Lightning Bolt’ was adamant there’s plenty more to come as he looks to peak for London in less than three months’ time.

 

In his first individual sprint of 2012, Bolt blitzed the field as he crossed the line in a dazzling 9.82 seconds

“It’s a good start, I would say,” said Bolt, who erased the previous season-leading time of 9.90sec by world champion Yohan Blake. “I feel better than last year, so

 

I’m definitely happy with myself. I don’t think my execution was perfect, but I think for my first race it was good.”

 

The 25-year-old exploded out of the blocks to take control by the 40m-mark, although he was far from happy with his start as he strives to break his world record of 9.58 seconds at the summer showpiece.

 

“I always try to work on my first 40 metres because the last 40 metres is always the best part of my race,” he said. “So over the season as I get more fit and get more fluent it will definitely get better.”

 

Indeed, injury and false starts, which saw him disqualified from last year’s 100m final at the world championships, are shaping as Bolt’s biggest obstacle to repeating his Beijing heroics.

 

While there was no jumping the gun on this occasion, the same can’t be said for the rest of the field with two of his rivals caught leaving early.

 

But despite the disruptions, Bolt kept his cool (as always) to put on a show for a delighted Kingston crowd.

 

Meanwhile, Bolt’s biggest rival in London, compatriot Blake, benefitted by focusing his attention on the 200m as he too posted the fastest time of the year, finishing in 19.91sec.

 

No doubt Bolt was taking notice, though, and the world awaits his response when he returns to the track in Rome later this month.

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The men’s 4x100m relay team has moved closer to securing a lane in London after clocking 38.84 at the Shizuoka International Track & Field Meet in Shizuoka (JPN) this afternoon.

 

Anthony Alozie (Vic) burst out of the blocks for the men’s team, before the baton moved through Isaac Ntiamoah (NSW), Andrew McCabe (Qld) and Tim Leathart (NSW).

 

Their performance sees the aggregate two-time performance for the team improve to 77.53 (38.84 in Shizuoka plus 38.69 at IAAF world championships), which when compared to IAAF rankings issued on March 2, 2012, sees the Australian team sit 11th overall and well within the top-16 countries, who will make up the starters at the Olympic Games.

 

Paul Hallam, the men’s 4x100m relay team coach, said: “The boys ran very well with the time close to the target we were chasing. I haven’t had a chance to look at individual splits or the changes on film yet but as a team they ran great and should be proud.

 

“To be honest, I thought they were a little conservative so in Kawasaki we hope to stretch them out a little more and improve our aggregate again. Josh Ross will join the boys there and he will add some experience which I am sure they will benefit from.”

 

The event was won by Japan in 38.69, with China second 38.71.

 

In other Australian highlights in Shizuoka:

-       The women’s 4x100m team (in running order of) Melissa Breen (ACT), Charlotte Van Veenendaal (Vic), Hayley Butler (NSW) and Jessica Knox (NSW) finished 4th in 45.00. Their international ranking of 14th remains unchanged.

-       Breen clocked 23.52 (w: 0.0) for third in the women’s individual 200m, while Alex Carew (Vic) crossed in a personal best 21.27 (w: +1.5) for fifth in the men’s event.

-       Lauren Boden (ACT) made her 2012 international debut with a 55.85 to win the women’s 400m hurdles, while Brendan Cole (ACT, 50.23) and Tristan Thomas (Tas, 50.39) were 4th and 7th respectively in the men’s race.

-       James Gurr (NSW) placed 4th in the men’s 800m in a time of 1:49.58.

-       Craig Burns (Qld) was 7th in the men’s 400m after crossing the line in 47.34.

-     A men's 4x400m relay team of Burns, Carew, Kurt Mulcahy (NSW) and Cole placed second in 3:07.97 behind host nation Japan (3:05.52).

 

The men’s 4x100m relay team will next start at the Golden Grand Prix in Kawasaki (JPN) this Sunday, May 6.

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