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Aussie & NZ Snap Shot from Heusden
By Lara Nicod for The Runner's Tribe
A good mix of Oceania athletes represented their countries today at Belgium KBC Nacht in Heusden, in weather conditions the can only be described as not conducive for fast times.
In the past the KBC Nacht which is seen as the second biggest athletic competition in Belgium has drawn in big names in the world of athletics. Such as the likes of 1500m World record holder Hicham El Guerrouj who in 2004 ran a 3.29.18 at this meet and Olympic medalist Jolanda Ceplak who in 2002 posted a fast 1.55.19 over the women’s 800m. More remarkable is that four Australian field athletes still hold meet records from the 80s and 90s at this meet.
Lets look at a snap shot of 2011 KBC Nacht results:
1500m Men
Turkish athlete William Tanui Biwott took out the men’s 1500m A race, running a time of 3.35.93. Unfortunately no Australian or New Zealander contenders in this race today.
A good force of oceanic power were seen however in the 1500m B and C races. Malcolm Hicks (NZL) taking out the men’s C 1500m race in 3.47.27, in front of World university games selectee James Nipperess (AUS) in 3rd with a time of 3.48.35. Fresh off the plane this was Nippers first hit out since landing in Europe a week ago.
In the 1500m B race American Ben Blankenship took out the win in 3.37.76. Australian Jeremy Roff who was boxed in 250m to go was able to fight his way out to place 4th in 3.39.54, just in front of New Zealander Hayden McLaren. McLaren just short of his PB (3.40.15) with running a 3.40.83.
400H Men
Russian Cornel Fredericks took out 400 H man in a 49.25 just in front of Jamaican Isa Phillips 50.04. Australian Brendan Cole crossing the line 5th in 50.50, a time short of his 50.40 result posted in Brussels last week. Blogged recently Cole was quoted in saying “ I would love to see the stats on the 400 hurdlers in history who have run between 50.0 and 50.5 more times than me. I'm tipping there would be none.”
(http://brendancole.blogspot.com/)
Triple Jump Men
Australian triple jumpers Henry Frayne and Queensland academy sport team mate Kane Brigg’s were unable to break that 17m barrier today in which both boys have been getting closer to during the Australian season. 21-year-old Frayne jumping his best today in his second jump with a 16.75, which was enough to seal him a win. Team mate Briggs finding only a 16.22 to place him fourth.
800 Men
Kenya’s Anthony Hemut posted over a 2 second PB with a winning time of 1.45.74. In front of American sub 1.45 runner Tyler Mulder in 1.46.05 and Alberto Luis Marco from Spain in 1.47.19.
5000m Men
Albert Rop (KEN) ran away with the win and a huge PB of 13.10.37 with David Bett (KEN) short of his best, posting a 13.13.66 in front of Ugandan Abraham Kiplimo 13.14.33. New Zealander Adrian Blincoe placing 7th running a time of 13:24.82.
In the 5000m B race Australian David Mc Neill capped off his 3000m PB (7.53.41) posted on Wednesday at Liege in Belgium with a 13.36.80 win over Kenyan Isaac Songkok. Songkok a man who holds fine credentials as being the 3rd fastest Kenyan of all time over the 5000m and 6th fastest man ever over this distance.
100m Women
The 100 metres was represented by Australian Melissa Breen placing 7th in 11.44, behind Debbie Ferguson (BAH) who in her ripe age of 35 claimed the win in 11.15 from Barbara Pierre (USA) 11.18 and third Gloria Asumnu (USA) 11.25.
5000m Women
Personal best performance for the winner of the women’s 5000m with Ethiopian Almensch Belete posting a 15.09.71 from Genet Ayalew (ETH) 15.10.45 and Waganesh Mekasha (ETH) 15.11.50. New Zealander Kim Smith claiming 4th position in 15.14.02 in front of American runner Amy Hastings who was just short of a PB with a 15.15.56.
Pole vault Women
Russian Yelena Isinbayeva was the biggest name in Heusden today. The World record holder in the pole vault started her outdoor season today with a 4.60 win. She will continue to compete in the next coming months as she looks to prepare herself for the World Championships in Daegu, South Korea In late August.
Australians Liz Parnov jumped 4.30 placing 5th with Jacinta Boyd 8th with a 4.10 result.
Other results from Australian and New Zealanders who raced in Heusden are as follows:
400 H (National race)
Daniel O’Shea NZL 52.54 (2nd)
James Roff AUS 53.83 (3rd)
Jacob Holt AUS 55.04 (5th)
Mike Cochrane NZL 57.73 (6th)
400m Men
Alex Jordan NZL 47.53 (5th)
800m Women
Holly Noack AUS 2.06. 87 (1st)
5000m Men
Aaron Pulford NZL 14.03.92 (6th NEW PB)
Full results from this meet can be found on http://sport.be.msn.com/kbcnacht/2011/eng/
5000m
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