MacFarlane, Thomas Win, plus Peacocks record
22 Feb 2008
Hobart’s Donna MacFarlane tonight took out the 3000m Steeplechase at the Melbourne Athletics Grand Prix.
The winning time of 9.29.93 was her third A-qualifier for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. All she has to do in order to guarantee selection, is win the Australian title in Brisbane next weekend.
“I was hoping to win and expecting to win and run a good time, because I’ve been doing some good training. I think that is the best I have ever run in terms of my technique, so that’s a real bonus for me.”
By the time she entered the final lap, MacFarlane had a 100m lead over Victoria Mitchell, Zhenzhu Li and Yanmei Zhu. “It didn’t feel fast which is a good sign and I didn’t have anyone pushing me which is a really good indication going into next week and especially this early in the season.”
Brendan Cole lead for 399.5m before Tasmanian born Tristan Thomas (AIS) stormed through at the finish, as Cole had a disagreement with the final barrier. “I’m really pleased with that run, I nailed my plan to perfection,” Thomas said post event.
Cole has won the Australian title for the past 3 years and now a week out from the 2008 Australian Championships, Thomas’s victory tonight has added extra interest to the 400m sticks. “Brendan and I both know that for the 400m Hurdles to progress in Australia, having two of us battle it out is better than the one.”
TIS World Youth Silver medalist Hamish Peacock produced yet another personal best in the Men’s Javelin. This time, he eclipsed the Open Men’s state record with a launching throw of 71.36m. The previous record of 71.06 was held by OVA athlete Brian Pook, set in 2001.
Melissa Kay ran 11.94 (+0.7) to place 7th in the Women’s 100m, behind Andrea Miller of New Zealand who ran 11.69sec.
Grant Page was caught up in a muddling Men’s 1500m, where pacemaking was sporadic and played on many of the athlete’s rhythm. The Northern Suburbs athlete faded on the final lap to run 3.48.60.
The Men’s Shot Put was dominated by Scott Martin who broke the Australian record, with a 21.27m heave. Todd Hodgett’s threw 16.22m to place sixth.
All athletes will now head to Brisbane next weekend for the 86th Australian Track & Field Championships and Olympic Selection Trials.