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Australia’s female middle distance runners took the spotlight at the Sydney Track Classic on Thursday night with the women’s 3000m steeple, 5000m, 1500m and 800m producing a total of nine (9) Commonwealth Games qualifying performances.
A quality field in the women’s 3000m steeplechase created an amazing four (4) Commonwealth Games ‘A’ qualifying performances with Queenslander Mellisa Rollison leading the field home in 9:31.30 and smashing the qualifying mark by 34 seconds. Following Rollison and also posting ‘A’ qualifying performances were Tasmanian Donna McFarlane (PB - (9:34.76), Sydney University’s Madeline Heiner (PB - 9:56.54and New Zealander Rebecca Furlong (9:57.74).
Only seven athletes in the world in 2005 ran faster than Rollison's performance, and McFarlane's run has her inside the top ten. Kenya's world championships bronze medallist Jeruto Kiptum (9:26.95) and Jamaican duo Mardrae Hyman (9:27.21) and Korine Hinds (9:30.12) head the list of expected challengers in Melbourne. World champion Dorcus Inzikuru of Uganda (9:15.04) remains in doubt for the Games after being overlooked for selection by her Federation.
The women continued to show their class in the NSW State 5000m Championship event with former World University Games champion Eloise Wellings ( 15:28.53) achieving the Commonwealth Games ‘B’ qualifying time to defeat Victoria Mitchell (VIC, 15:36.15) and defending Commonwealth Games marathon champion finalist Kerryn McCann (15:43.46). Both Mitchell and McCann also achieved Commonwealth Games "B" qualifiers.
The men ‘s and women’s 800m brought the crowd to their feet with exciting racing all round. Stalwart Suzy Walsham lead the women home with a ‘B’ qualifier (2:02.34) whilst the men’s event witnessed a breakthrough from Sydney teenager Lachlan Renshaw (1:47.97) who upset National champion and training partner Nick Bromley. Bromley finished 3rd (1:48.54) behind a fast finishing Werna Botha (1:48.07).
The rivalry in the women’s high jump continued with Petrina Price, Sophia Begg and Claire Mallett raising the bar. Price jumped to the win, posting a ‘B" qualifying performance of 1.86cm.
Other results saw Matt Shirvington win a depleted 100m field in a fast 10.44, and Dani Samuels taking the shot put (15.24m) and discus double (53.34m).
The athletics action continues to build in the lead up to the Commonwealth Games Trials on 2nd-5th February with the Telstra A-Series in Canberra on Thursday January 26th
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