09.03.2008

Weightman and Birmingham take Cross trial

Victorians Lisa-Jane Weightman and Collis Birmingham were the winners of the Australian trial for the World Cross Country held today in Canberra; athletes' last chance to impress the selectors before they choose the team to compete later this month in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Lisa-Jane Weightman caused an upset victory in the women's 8km event against one of the finest fields ever assembled in Australian women's distance running.

Weightman assumed the lead going into the final 2km lap and was unchallenged from that point onwards to complete the course in 27:17 ahead of Melissa Rollison, Victoria Mitchell, Melinda Vernon and Benita Johnson.

"That was the best race I've ever run," said 29 year-old Weightman. "It's rare that we have everyone running in the same race."

After contesting what is one of the world's toughest races in the World Cross Country, Weightman will put herself to an even more challenging test - making her marathon debut in London in April, where she will hope to clock the Olympic A-qualifier of 2 hours, 32 minutes.

In the men's race Collis Birmingham went into the lead with two circuits of the 2km course remaining and ran comfortably to the line for victory in 36:25. His victory secured him automatic selection for the World Cross Country.

He was followed in closely by a fast finishing Liam Adams, who ran through the field on the final lap to pass Michael Shelley and national steeplechase champion Martin Dent.

Birmingham is optimistic, yet cautious, of his chances in Edinburgh.

"I found last year that it is a tough race, that is really deep," said Birmingham.

"I need to finish stronger - if I switch off like I did a bit today on the last lap I will lose a lot of places."

Ryan Gregson won the junior men's 8km event with a controlled front running effort in a time of 24:40.

The 17 year-old New South Welshman, who broke Craig Mottram's Australian under-20 3000m record in November, has focused his training on cross country since.

The warm, dry conditions in Canberra will be in stark contrast to the expected conditions in Edinburgh.

"I think I'll be OK," said Gregson.

"The Kenyans aren't used to the mud either.

"I think it is easier to run in the heat than in the cold."

Elise Clayton won the junior women's 6km event by 11 seconds from local Emily Brichacek.

The team for the world cross country will be announced next week.

Courtesy Tim McGrath (Athletics New South Wales)

Athletics Australia World Cross Country Championships Trial
Mt Stromlo Forest, Canberra

RESULTS

Open women 8km
Lisa-Jane Weightman 27:17
Melissa Rollison 27:41
Victoria Mitchell 27:42
Melinda Vernon 27:47
Benita Johnson 27:49
Eliza Stewart 27:56

Open men 12km
Collis Birmingham 36:25
Liam Adams 36:30
Michael Shelley 36:33
Martin Dent 36:38
Ben St Lawrence 39:40
Scott Westcott 36:53

Under 20 women
Elise Clayton 21:25
Emily Brichacek 21:36
Tamara Carvolth 21:48
Alexis Mckillop 21:55
Grace Thek 22:13
Veronica Wallington 22:22

Under 20 men
Ryan Gregson 24:40
Richard Everest 25:22
Ashley Watson 25:27
Duer Yoa 25:42
Matthew Bayley 25:50
Harry Summers 25:59