Birmingham Bolsters Briggs 5000m
21 Feb 2013
Collis Birmingham is one of the Australia’s top distance runners, he’s in the prime of his career and he’s racing in Hobart this Saturday night.
Adual Olympian, world championship finalist and former 10,000m record holder, Birmingham last month bettered the Australian record for the half marathon ahead of Saturday’s race.
“The half marathon was really good the other week and since then training has been going well.
The Ballarat distance runner, dubbed ‘The Colonel’ is gearing himself up for what is widely regarded as the toughest athletics event in the world, the IAAF World Cross Country Championships, due to the fact that each country can send sixathletes.
“World cross is my focus this year, on March 24 in Poland. It’s such a grueling event, that I’ll wait until I’ve recovered before deciding what I’ll focus on for the rest of the year. I’m trying not to make decisions too far in advance,” the world championship 5000m finalist said.
Birmingham has made the Briggs Athletics Classic 5000m his own, winning on each occasion he toed the line, dating back to 2007. This year however the depth is stronger than ever.
“We’ve got six of the guys from our Ballarat training camp coming over to race. I want to come down and have a good race. If I have a good race, then we can run quick,” Birmingham stated.
Among the field will be the first and second placegetters from last weekend B&E Hobart Run The Bridge.
Winner Liam Adams and second placegetter Nick McCormick were involved in one of the most thrilling ever fun run finishers and both will be looking to run fast on Saturday night.
McCormick represented Great Britain at last years Olympics, missing a birth in the Olympic final by just 3 seconds. While Adams is also priming himself for the World Cross Country Championships, along with another member of the Ballarat training group, Brett Robinson.
“Nick last week had a good race with Liam, we all know we’re in good shape like him, so its likely to be a quick race. Liam is showing he is going really well also.” Birmingham added.
While the Melbourne Track Classic 5000m often boasts the big drawcard names, the Briggs Athletics Classic 5000m has consistently had the deepest field, with no less than 13 men breaking the 14minute barrier last year.
With Australian 1500m record holder Ryan Gregson coming down to be the pacemaker, there is certain to be plenty of new personal best times set for the countries top distance men.
“There is always huge depth in this race, which is what makes it the best 5k in the country. Unlike Melbourne, there is usually a conservative early pace, so the guys who aren’t up to running 13:20 or so can still keep contact with the lead group and run a fast time,” Birmingham explained.
Adding to the depth, is London Olympians Jeff Hunt and Youcef Abdi, along with 2011 Burnie 10 winner James Nipperess.
On a local note, four Tasmanian’s are in the field. Grant Page will be making his first appearance in a major 5000m race, stepping up from his favoured 1500m distance. While state 5000m champion Josh Harris, will be joined by state 3000m champion Pat Smith and state half marathon champion Dejen Gebreselassie.
The race starts at 7:50pm and will bring the curtain down on the 2013 Briggs Athletics Classic.
What: Briggs Athletics Classic When: Saturday February 23. 5pm-8pm Where: Domain Athletics Centre Who: 200 of the best athletes from eight different countries, around the world and Tasmania
Tickets: Available from Centretainment, Athletics Tasmania, Athletics Tasmania Clubs or at the gate.
