Full Throttle for Australia's Top Distance Runners
31 Jan 2012
Tasmania’s flagship track and field meeting has attracted a who’s who of Australian distance running stars.
This Saturday’s Briggs Athletics Classic in Hobart could see any number of athletes from around the world attain Olympic qualifying performances.
Australian 1500m record holder Ryan Gregson has firmed as a starter in the men’s 800m. Gregson last raced the distance at the Melbourne Track Classic in 2010, clocking a personal best behind World Record holder David Rudisha. Fresh off winning the 1500m at the Adelaide Track Classic last Saturday, Gregson will go close to breaking the Tasmanian Allcomers record of 1:46.00, set by John Higham back in 1977.
Set to challenge Gregson will be Australian indoor 800m record holder Ryan Foster from Sandy Bay. Foster, who is now based in the USA, will return to Australia on Friday for a series of races in the lead up to the Olympic Trials in Melbourne and starts his campaign on home soil at the Domain.
Adding even more appeal to the race, is Australian champion James Kaan and in form junior Jordan Williamsz. So popular was the interest in the race, that meet director Brian Roe has scheduled 3 national level men’s 800m races.
Every Australian, who currently runs a world class 5000m will also line up over 12 and half laps, with Australia’s three fastest all time Craig Mottram, Ben St Lawrence and Collis Birmingham in acton.
The top Aussie trio will take on World University Champion Andy Vernon (UK), US College Champion Bobby Curtis (USA),European Finalist Nick McCormick and four Japanese internationals.
The men’s 1500m has again assembled a top flight line up. Featuring two time national champion Lachlan Chisholm, New Zealander Hamish Carson, World junior finalist Paul Robinson from Ireland, 2011 Burnie Ten winner James Nipperess, triple Tasmanian champion Sam Ferguson and evergreen local Grant Page.
After climbing to 4 and 5 respectively on the Australian all time list in 2011, Zoe Buckman and Kaila McKnight will continue their healthy rivalry on Saturday night in the women’s 1500m.
It will be the first race in Hobart for national champion Buckman, while McKnight returns after previously racing the 800m. no less than five locals have also earned their place in the field, including Nicole Perry, Jess Morey, Julia Minnucci, Tessa Johns and Jacqui Dalwood.
One of the most interesting events for Tasmanian’s will be the women’s 3000m steeplechase. After making her debut at the event 3 weeks ago, Mel Daniels will line up for the first time in a major race, taking on the nations best.
