18.05.2009

Tucker on track in Sydney

Berlin-bound marathon runner Mark Tucker has continued his build-up to the world championships with a podium finish in the Sydney Half Marathon on Sunday.

The 29-year-old Victorian crossed the line in 65.09, completing the CBD course behind Kenyan race winner Reuben Kosgei (64.18) and three-time winner of the event Brett Cartwright (64.47).

Tucker will contest the World Marathon Cup, to be held in conjunction with the marathon at the world championships on August 22, alongside countrymen Martin Dent, Andrew Letherby and Scott Westcott.

Kosgei, the gold medalist in the 3000m steeplechase at the Sydney Olympic Games, claimed victory over the 21.1km run just two days after jetting in from Kenya.

Profoundly deaf Blue Mountains athlete Melinda Vernon took out the inaugural Kerryn McCann Trophy, winning in a personal best time of 75.26.

Western Australian Lauren Shelley was runner-up to Vernon in 76.01, just three seconds ahead of Victorian Susan Michelsson.

In overseas action Lee Troop has finished 24th in the 10km Great Manchester Run.

Troop crossed the line in 30.22 behind Ethiopian distance star Haile Gebrsellasie (27.39), Ali Mabrouk El Zaidi (28.13) and Sergiy Lebid (28.36), who took out podium honours in the event.

Image courtesy of the Sydney Morning Herald.