Donna does the Doha double
10 May 2008
Donna MacFarlane defended her title in Doha early this morning in the 3000m Steeplechase.
The IAAF Super Grand Prix has proved a great hunting ground for the TIS athlete, early in the International athletics season.
The most impressive element to the victory, she defeated the two Kenyan’s who came third and fourth in last years World Championships in Osaka. While the winning time of 9.31.47 wasn’t one of the Beijing bounds fastest times, the win proves she can race with the best of them and win.
"This was not an easy win- with 2 laps remaining there was a group of 7 athletes still in contention. I kept my focus and was able to increase my speed over the last lap. ,” she explained from Doha.
It brings a thrilling close to what has been a tough couple of weeks for the current Female Tasmanian Athlete of the year. Clearly in the shape of her life, MacFarlane remembered one of the most important pieces of advice her late coach Max Cherry told her about running right through the line. “I approached the final water jump at the same time as Nyangau (World Junior record holder and fourth in Osaka), and used everything I had left to sprint to the line.”
The ever improving MacFarlane was also pleased with her technical side of her race "I am pleased with my technique and in particular, the way I pushed out of the water jump.”
It sets her up for what will be a grueling and potential rewarding 6 week racing campaign in Europe, beginning later this month. Her next race will be the prestigious Bislett Games Golden League event in Oslo.