Women’s 1500 metres to headline Briggs


22 Jan 2014

The college athletic student who caused a national storm when she was initially left out of the team for the London Olympics is one of seven internationally ranked athletes included in the field for the women’s 1500 metres at this year’s Briggs Athletics Classic.

The Classic which this year celebrates its 25th edition at the meet at Hobart’s Domain Athletic Centre on Saturday 1 February has become a mecca for Australian distance runners each season and it is the women who will take centre stage in 2014.

Gen LaCaze was a virtual unknown in 2012 when she surprisingly qualified for the Olympics in the 3000 metres steeplechase just 24 hours after the selection deadline passed. Athletics Australia at first declined her request for inclusion but an unprecedented social media campaign and high profile support including from AOC President, John Coates forced a change of heart.

Also an accomplished 1500 metres runner, with a personal best of 4.10.24, the Queenslander will line up at the Briggs in classy field headed by 2013 World Championships finalists Victorian Zoe Buckman and Dutchwoman Susan Kuijken.

Buckman (PB 4.04.82) was the surprise of the Australian team in Moscow progressing through the heats and semi finals of the 1500 metres with confidence before a strong run for seventh in a high quality final.

Kuijken (PB 4.05.38) ran the 5000 metres in Moscow, finishing eighth but takes on the shorter distance in Hobart against the quality field that has been assembled.

Kaila McKnight (PB 4.05.61) is a four time Australian champion across both distances and showed at the Hunter Classic in Newcastle last weekend during the second leg of the National Athletics Series that she is already in great shape this season - taking victory in a Commonwealth Games qualifying time of 4.09.87.

Irish master-of-science Laura Crowe was one of the big improvers on the international middle distance circuit last year but her third placing in 4.11.49 at the Hunter Classic behind McKnight, has already delivered her a personal best in 2014.

She will join other leading athletes confirmed for the Hobart race including Victoria’s Eliza Curnow (PB 4.11.73) and the rapidly emerging Queenslander Brittany McGowan (PB 4.15.60) who was a big winner over 800 metres in Newcastle.

Such is the strength of the field that not only are Commonwealth Games and World Junior Championships qualifying performances up for grabs but the 14 year old meet record of 4.06.77 set by Georgie Clarke in a superb race in which four athletes qualified for the Sydney Olympics, must also be at risk.

 

Event Facts – Women’s 1500 metres:

Meet Record: Georgie Clarke (Victoria)                     4.06.77 [30 January 2000]

Commonwealth Games A Standard:                          4.07.00

Commonwealth Games B Standard:                          4.10.75

World Junior Championships AUS Standard:               4.20.50

 

The 2014 Briggs Athletics Classic, the third leg of the 2013-14 National Athletics Series will be staged at the Domain Athletic Centre in Hobart on Saturday 1 February with the main program beginning at 6.00pm.

The Meet will be preceded by the Tasmanian Little Athletics Relay Championships from 11.00am to 3.30pm and from 4.45pm onwards the meet pre-program featuring the inaugural Little Athletics Swedish relay championships, the Australian Masters internet 4x400m relay match and the Briggs Classic men’s hammer throw.

Tickets are available via Centertainment, through athletics clubs or at the gate. Adults - $15; Children (under 16) - $5; children under 6, competing athletes and little athletes – free.