13.11.2007

Kealey dominates 1500m Classic

Previous personal bests fell by the wayside as a number of athletes scorched the track in the Bank of Queensland 1500m Classic at the University of Queensland (UQ) on Thursday (November 8).

In its fourth year, the Bank of Queensland 1500m Classic attracted a record number of competitors, with cool, calm conditions a catalyst for fast running.

Mitch Kealey took out the Simon Doyle Men’s Classic for the second successive year.

After a successful winter campaign in Europe, a third placing in New Zealand’s Mayoral Mile and Australian representation at the World University Games in August, the 24 year-old stormed the track to finish almost eight seconds ahead of his opponents in a time of 3.41.40.

Competitor Ashley Bacon was in the race to set up a sub-3.40 pace with Nick Lorenz hot on his heels, but through the 800 metre mark Kealey came into his own as Lorenz began to drop off the pace.

At the bell, Kealey was on target for a sub-3.40 time, and as he came off the bend with the clock showing 3.25 it looked like spectators would be treated to the first sub-3.40 at the UQ track.

With the crowd yelling their support he fell just shy at 3.41.40, still improving on last year’s finish by over four seconds.

In the ABN AMRO Morgans Women’s Classic event Ballarat runner Anna Worland took the spoils to finish first and set a new personal best time of 4.21.96.

The Victorian runner made her third appearance at this meet and fought off the fast finishing sisters Courtney and Jessica Gilfillan to improve on her second placing last year.

However, the run of the evening belonged to thirteen-year-old Jade Brandt in the open women/secondary school girls race.

Last year’s winner Megan O’Hare did much of the front running, but on the last lap Brandt took the lead.

Down the home stretch O’Hare moved out wide to make a run for home, but Brandt held on to win in 4.32.57 to O’Hare’s 4.34.08 – significant personal bests for both girls which would have placed them third and fifth in the main women’s event.

The main school boys race also lived up to high expectations as a number of young athletes looked for a sub 4.05 time to qualify for nationals.

It was a tight knit bunch for two-and-a-half laps, but a group of six broke away with a lap to go clocking three minutes. With 150 metres to go Harry Wilson of the Sunshine Coast found an extra gear and put a gap on the rest of the pack to win in a time of 4.03.43, a personal best by 12 seconds.

The next three runners, John Athian, Ryan Isaac and Matthew Reeves all went under the 4.05 qualifying time.

It was a great night of middle distance running with some outstanding results, especially in the younger ages which bodes well for the future of distance running in Queensland.

Courtesy James Rigby/UQ Sport