Mottram to face Bekele test in Melbourne

With 200 days to go until the Beijing Olympics, Craig Mottram's preparations have been given a boost with the news that two of Ethiopia's foremost distance runners will compete in Australia next month.

Tariku Bekele and Abreham Cherkos Feleke have confirmed that they will both contest the 5000m national title against Mottram at Melbourne’s Olympic Park – a feature event on the timetable at the IAAF World Athletic Tour meeting on Thursday, February 21.

Both Bekele and Feleke come to Australia boasting impressive credentials - the Ethiopians have run faster than Mottram over 5000m and possess quality times over 3000m (see statistics below).

Tariku Bekele is the younger brother of Kenenisa Bekele, arguably the world’s finest distance runner; however, the younger Bekele, 21, is starting to carve out his own reputation.

The 2006 World Junior 5000m champion and Mottram have had some epic battles on the track, in particular, last year’s two mile event at the Prefontaine Classic in Oregon and at the Golden Spike meeting in Ostrava when he was out-sprinted by Mottram in the final stages.

Cherkos Feleke, at just 18, was the world’s second fastest junior over 5000m in 2007, with his season's best of 13.05.83 set when finishing third behind Mottram and Bekele at the Golden Spike meeting.

The Ethiopians will be looking to gain a mental advantage over Mottram in this Olympic year by defeating him on his home soil.

"I’ve had some good battles against Bekele and I’m looking forward to racing against him again," Mottram said.

"I'm really pleased that he'll be coming to Melbourne as it gives me yet another opportunity to race against world class opposition in front of a Melbourne crowd.

"It's always a challenge racing against the Ethiopians anywhere in the world but being in Melbourne, where I've had so much support in the past, just brings an extra edge to the competition for me and hopefully for the fans.

"I'd love to see Olympic Park packed out for the Ethiopians and we get another night similar to what we had in Melbourne at the Commonwealth Games when I ran against the Kenyans two years ago."

Mottram has just completed another block of altitude training at Falls Creek and will head to the United States tomorrow, where he will prepare to defend his 3000m title against Commonwealth Games champion Nick Willis at the Boston Indoor Games (January 26), and prevent reigning world 1500m and 5000m champion Bernard Lagat from collecting his sixth Wanamaker Mile victory at the 101st Millrose Games in New York (February 1).

"After my three good blocks of training at Falls Creek, I feel ready now for world class competition," Mottram continued.

"I really enjoyed racing in Boston and Millrose last year against some very good fields, so I've decided to go back there again this year.

"After racing Lagat in New York, and then Bekele in Melbourne, I will get a very good indication as to where my preparations are at."

IAAF WORLD ATHLETICS TOUR - MELBOURNE

Thursday, February 21, 2008
Melbourne Olympic Park
Tickets available from Ticketek on 132 849 or www.ticketek.com.au

Grandstand
Adults: $24.90
Concessions/children 12-16: $16.90
Family (2+2): $64.90

General admission
Adults: $16.90
Concessions/children: $7.90
Children under 12 free

KEY STATISTICS

Tariku Bekele, 21
2006 World Junior 5000m champion
Fifth over 5000m at 2007 IAAF World Championships
3000m PB - 7:29.11 (Rieti 2006)
5000m PB - 12:53.81 (Rome 2006) – three races under 13-minute barrier

Abreham Cherkos Feleke, 18
2006 World Junior 5000m silver medallist
Eighth over 5000m at 2007 IAAF World Championships
3000m PB - 7:32.37 (Lausanne 2006)
5000m PB - 12:54.19 (Rome 2006) – two races under 13-minute barrier

Craig Mottram, 27
2002 and 2006 World Cup 3000m champion
2005 IAAF World Championships 5000m bronze medallist
3000m PB - 7:32.19 NR (Athens 2006)
5000m PB - 12:55.76 NR (London 2004) – three races under 13-minute barrier

WINNERS OF THE 5000m AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP (since 1997-98)

1997-98  Shaun Creighton (ACT) 13:24.84
1998-99  Ben Maiyo (KEN) 13:26.09, Mizan Mehari (ACT) 13:31.02
1999-00  Michael Power (VIC) 13:28.11
2000-01  James Getanda (KEN) 13:29.53, Michael Power (VIC) 13:30.50
2001-02  Stephen Cherono (KEN) 13:11.55, Craig Mottram (VIC) 13:12.04
2002-03  Daniel Komen (KEN) 13:54.48, Michael Power 13:55.99
2003-04  Craig Mottram (VIC) 13:31.74
2004-05  Craig Mottram (VIC) 14:01.38
2005-06  Craig Mottram (VIC) 13:47.44
2006-07  Craig Mottram (VIC) 13:32.67

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