Olympic Milers Coming to Briggs Athletics Classic
23 Jan 2009
At the 2008 edition of the Briggs Athletics Classic, fans witnessed the fastest ever 1500m race in Tasmania. With the quality of athletes entered for next Friday’s metric mile, the scenario could be repeated, in both men’s and women’s races.
International distance running superstar Donna MacFarlane, is used to running, and winning, at the Domain Athletics Centre, but this year will be her toughest yet. Joining her on the start line will be Australian Mile record holder Lisa Corrigan, who ran the 1500m at the Beijing Olympics. Corrigan has a strong history in Hobart, winning the Australian All Schools 800/1500/3000m treble in 1999, then defeating Tamsyn Lewis over 800m in 2007. With a personal best of 4:05.25, if the race goes to plan, the Tasmanian Allcomers record of 4:06.77, set by Georgie Clarke back in 2000, will be under threat.
Chances are victory will be the thing first on Corrigan’s mind, given the competition she will be up against.
Without a doubt, the sentimental favourite on the night will be MacFarlane. In her first serious race in months, the TIS athlete will be dropping down a distance from her preferred 3000m steeplechase, but will no doubt draw a massive interest from the crowd.
Following the success of last years race, the men’s field has again attracted some serious quality. In 2007, former high jumper Jeff Riseley ran the 800m at the Briggs Athletics Classic. He won the race, wearing his club uniform and dropped a full second from his lifetime best. He continued climbing the success escalator, to represent
Giving Riseley a run for his money will be 2 time Australian 1500m champion Lachlan Chisholm. 28 year old Chisholm was the 2008 Burnie Mile winner and recently placed second in the Devonport 1600m over Christmas. The New South Welshman placed third at last years Briggs Athletics Classic and will be heading into the race with confidence of going near his personal best of 3:37.03.
Three time national 800m champion and Commonwealth Games finalist Nick Bromley will also be returning to
Tasmanian Champion Grant Page had a stellar 2008 and is in great shape. In recent years, he has built a strong rivalry with Philo Saunders of
Young Victorian guns Matt Coloe and Craig Huffer will be looking to add big name scalps to their growing list. Richard Olsen of
The Briggs Athletics Classic is the flagship event of Track & Field in
Men – 100, 200, 800, 1500, 5000, 400m Hurdles, 4 x 100m Triple, High, Shot, Discus, Javelin
Women – 100, 200, 800, 1500, 400m Hurdles, 4 x 100m Triple, High, Shot and Hammer
The meet is on Friday January 30 from 6pm.
Tickets available from Centertainment and Athletics Tasmania.