<16.06.07> - MacFarlane 2nd in Oslo Golden League
16 Jun 2007
Media Release
Saturday 16 June 2007
In her first IAAF Golden League outing, Donna MacFarlane has run out of her skin overnight in Oslo, coming second in the 3000m steeplechase.
The 29 year old MacFarlane was the best performed Australian at the meeting, clocking 9.26.63. It was her second fastest time ever, previously only bettered by her performance at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games. MacFarlane now sits at number three in the world rankings, with the European season now well under way.
After the race, MacFarlane, who broke 9:30 for just the second time in her career, said she was unable to go with the early pace, but fought back strongly over the last two laps.
“The first kilometre was too fast, 3:03, and I didn’t go with the pace. I actually found it easier to run with a bit of space around me. I probably went past four or five in the last two laps as they were all dying.”
“I feel like I’ve got lots of room for improvement, especially technically.”
MacFarlane will next race on Monday June 18 in Karlfkorna, Sweden over 1500m. She plans for the race to be extra special, with an attempt at her personal best, given the race is on her 30th birthday.
The meet was highlighted by a stunning world record to Meseret Defar of Ethiopia, who smashed her own world record in the 5000m producing 14:16.63 – taking almost 8 seconds off her previous best.
Full results from the Oslo Golden League can be found at http://www.iaaf.org/GLE07/results/eventCode=3794/gender=M/discipline=100/roundCode=r/index.html.