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What will NZ look like on the track in Delhi?
By Daniel Wallis.
A preview of New Zealand’s male distance hopes.
A preview of New Zealand’s male distance hopes.
The great thing about the Commonwealth Games is that it is often a chance for the athletes who are on the cuff of Olympic or World Champ’s selection to compete on a truly international stage and make the transition to the next level of competition. Although still a showcase for exciting and competitive athletics, in recent years the Commonwealth Games has served as a sensational launching pad for both Australian and New Zealand athletes. The Games hold an important place in the history of New Zealand, and are fervently supported by the public. As such, they are particularly significant for the publicity of the sport of at athletics – as illustrated in Nick Willis transforming from a practically unknown to national hero after his victory over the metric mile in Melbourne. However, as the Delhi Games draw closer, and with the Australian and New Zealand domestic seasons well under way, it’s time to look at the prospects for New Zealand’s distance contingent on the men’s side.
For next years Games Athletics New Zealand have done anyway with the traditional ‘A’ and ‘B’ standard system of qualification, opting instead for strict ‘Performance Standards’ in each event. The standards are as follows:
800m: 1.47.00
1500m: 3.39.00
3km St: 8.31.00
5000m: 13.30.00
10000m: 28.10.00
Marathon: 2.14.00
800m:In 2006 New Zealand had one representative over the two-lap event; the prodigious Jason Stewart. The Melbourne Games were the final notch in the belt for Stewart, after wearing the Black Singlet at both the Athens Olympics and Helsinki World Champs. Stewart entered the Games as always with high expectations of himself and an aggressive attitude. After finishing 5th in the final, Stewarts first comments were “It’s not first, second, or third”, with the obvious disappointment illustrating his fierce competitive spirit. Unfortunately, Stewart has since retired from international athletics, leaving a large void in New Zealand over the 800m - which looks increasingly unlikely to be filled in time for the Games. The current National Champion; Tim Hawkes, has a personal best of 1.49.21, and is a huge long shot to hit the qualifier of 1.47.00, especially as he appears to be taking a down-year. However, Nick Willis has made public his intentions for the 800/1500 double, which will mean perhaps the best chance for a medal in the event since John Walkers Bronze in 1976. Although few would bet against Willis come October, he is currently lacking the finishing speed that he is going to need to call upon in order to finish amongst the medals in Delhi. Such has been the case recently in both Sydney and Christchurch where Jeff Riseley has had little trouble in pulling ahead of the Olympic Silver medallist in the last fifty-metres. However, Nick will likely be our only and best shot in Delhi – certainly not a terrible situation. Willis will also have the strength advantage, which will benefit him in running the rounds of the 800.
Melbourne 2006: Jason Stewart.
Guaranteed 2010: Nick Willis.
Outside shot: None.
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No country in the Commonwealth has such a glorified history in the metric mile as New Zealand. The Brits have the track cyclists, the Aussie’s have the cheerleading squad, and the Kiwis are the milers. Lovelock, Snell, Walker, Willis – and soon to be Willis again. 2006 was a fantastic race, with all the drama of Mottram going down, and Mark Fountain’s last second dip to prevent Paul Hamblyn making it a New Zealand Gold-Bronze double. 2006 saw three kiwis qualify in the blue-ribbon event: all of which made the final. 2010 however could be a different situation. Only a fool would bet against Willis, but the other two spots appear to be wide open. Paul Hamblyn has not run close to 3.38 since 2006, while Gareth Hyett – the World Champs representative from 2007 over 1500m could not get himself back into sub-3.40 shape last season and is currently on a 6 month hiatus from athletics. However, New Zealand does have a couple of very capable milers working their way through the college system in the states. Hayden McLaren and Carl Mackenzie have mile pb’s of 3.57 and 4.00 respectively, both of which are from indoor tracks. With a solid year of cross under their belts, and indoors to sharpen – I would not be surprised if both of these two guys are in the 3.38-39 range this Spring. Locally there is Richy Olsen, slogging away down South. Olsen ran a 4.00 mile domestically last season, but was struck with a chest infection while chasing fast times in Europe. Sub 3.40 and a crack at selection have to be on his radar in Europe this year.
Melbourne 2006: Nick Willis, Paul Hamblyn, Adrian Blincoe.
Guaranteed 2010: Nick Willis.
Outside chance: Richy Olsen, Hayden Mclaren, Carl Mackenzie.
5000m:
In 2006 New Zealand had no runners in this event – you have to think Arthur Lydiard would be turning in his grave. Four years on however there is a slightly different story. Adrian Blincoe is the new National 5000m record holder, while he also has a previous Commy Games and Olympics under his belt. With a 3.35 1500m to his name, Blinks has the tools to finish pretty close to the medals, and certainly as the lead man from Oceania up there alongside Collis Birmingham. Moreover, with a personal best of 13.35 – Jason Woolhouse on paper is close to qualification. Although he has yet to nail a qualifier, he will be an outside chance in the 5k and 10k.
Melbourne 2006: None.
Guaranteed 2010: Adrian Blincoe.
Outside shot: Jason Woolhouse.
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3000m Steeple:In 2007 Kim Hogarth ran 8.29 for the steeple, and was unlucky to not be selected for the Osaka World Champs. This year has however seen a rejuvenated Hogarth, taking 5-National titles last season and qualifying for the New Zealand team to World Cross this year. With potential races in the states lined up for a shot at qualifying, Hogarth will certainly be our best shot at representation over the barriers in Delhi – especially if he can run himself into the shape he was in three years ago.
Melbourne 2006: None.
Melbourne 2006: None.
Guaranteed: None.
Outside shot: Kim Hogarth.
10000m:
Melbourne 2006: Mike Aish.
Guaranteed: None.
Outside shot: Jason Woolhouse.
Since 2000 Mike Aish has been New Zealand’s top runner from the 10k through to the marathon: competing at three Commonwealth Games and two Olympics. It would have been three, but he was shamefully left out of selection for the Beijing Games, leaving New Zealand with no representation in the men’s marathon; a situation which seems to be quickly becoming a trend. Mike Aish is characteristic of the athlete that leaves nothing behind – in races and in training, and as a result has more often than not pushed himself too far. Unfortunately, this has left him largely out of favour with the Athletics NZ selectors, and he looks unlikely to gain selection in the 10km or the Marathon. As with the departure of Stewart, this leaves a significant hole in NZ running, with few prospects to fill the void. Perhaps the best chance is Australian-based Jason Woolhouse. At last years Zatopek:10, Woolhouse could only manage 28.56 –well outside of the Athletics NZ performance standard of 28.10. However, with the European season still to come – one should not rule out an athlete of Woolhouse’s calibre in gaining selection.
Marathon:
Melbourne 2006: None.
Guaranteed: None.
Outside shot: None.
With no representation in the marathon in 2006, Athletics New Zealand increased the standard by 60 seconds – from 2.15.00 to 2.14.00. The only kiwi to have run under 2.14.00 in the last three years is Aish. However, even if Aish were to hit the qualifier, it seems unlikely that he would be selected – based on the fiasco that was the Beijing selection. Moreover, the selection policy was not released until October 30 – less than 9 months until the Games qualification ends. This may not be of particular concern for those competing on the track, but the marathon is not an event you can run every other weekend, thus it seems the policy did not take into consideration the preparation needed for running this event. There is an off chance that something may come out of the woodwork in terms of qualification in the likes of Dale Warrander, Scott Winton, or Matt Dravitski, but chances are the NZ public will have very little to get excited about for the men’s marathon next year.
From the 800 through the marathon, New Zealand may very well only send two athletes on the men’s side to Delhi in October: Adrian Blincoe and Nick Willis. Although thin pickings, these two are also both genuine medal chances – most notably Willis. However, with the Australian season yet to end, and the outdoor season in America on its way – that number could very well change pretty quickly.
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