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Pearson to lead sprint charge at Brisbane Track Classic
The Brisbane Track Classic will ensure a speedy start to the 2012 National Athletics Series tomorrow night, boasting international relay qualification status and more than one hundred starters in sprint events.
Headlined by IAAF World Athlete of the Year Sally Pearson (QLD), who will run the women’s 100m and 4x100m relay, the meet is the start of an exciting summer of athletics.
Pearson said: “I’ve decided to run the 100m as well on Saturday now, that’s how confident I am in my form and my recovery from my quad scare.
“It only took me a week or so to get back into some good speed work and the way I am feeling I think I am in quicker shape this year than I was before the world championships.
“It’ll be good to run the relay too. We are currently ranked 14th in the world, we need to be top-16, and if we run a solid time here we can look to sure up our chances for a spot on the Olympic team.”
Pearson will be joined in the women’s 4x100m relay by Melissa Breen (ACT), Hayley Butler (NSW) and Charlotte Van Veenendaal (QLD), with the green and gold quartet featuring on the start list alongside Australia’s three other relay teams – the men’s 4x100m, women’s 4x400m and men’s 4x400m.
All four will face off with international starters from Fiji, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, as well as squads from Athletics Australia’s Paralympic Preparation and Junior High Performance Programs.
Sharon Hannan, the coach of Pearson and the women’s 4x100m relay team, added: “Relay times that count for the Olympic Games need to be run at sanctioned meets and there are not too many of those around so it’s great that Athletics Australia have been able to provide this opportunity in Brisbane.
“If the girls run fast I can see them breaking into the top-ten and if they do that we are pretty close to securing a team spot.
“It’s going to be a fast paced night, there are so many sprints events on so if conditions suit it will be a fantastic night of athletics.”
In other highlights:
- Dual world champion Jana Pittman (VIC) and six-time national champion Lauren Boden (ACT) will do battle across 300m, as both continue their quest for 400m hurdles selection to the 2012 Olympic Games team.
- IPC Athletics World Championships medallists Evan O’Hanlon (ACT) and Simon Patmore (QLD) will join their able-bodied counterparts on the start line for the men’s 100m.
- Australian Flame Henry Frayne (QLD) will take to the runway in both the men’s triple jump and long jump.
- The men’s javelin will feature American national javelin champion Mike Hazle who is beginning his London build-up in Australia.
The Brisbane Track Classic will be held at the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre on Saturday, January 14 from 6:30pm. Tickets are available at the gate.
For more information on the Brisbane Track Classic, including the timetable and entry lists, please click here.
For more information on the 2012 National Athletics Series, including the 2012 Qantas Australian Athletics Tour, please click here.
Live results will be available across the meet here.
2012 NATIONAL ATHLETICS SERIES (Australian Athletics Tour in bold)
Brisbane Athletics Classic - Saturday, January 14 – QSAC, Brisbane
Hunter Track Classic – Saturday, January 21 – Hunter Sports Centre, Newcastle
Adelaide Track Classic – Saturday, January 28 – Santos Stadium, Adelaide
Briggs Athletics Classic – Saturday, February 4 – Domain Athletics Centre, Hobart
Perth Track Classic – Saturday, February 11 – WA Athletics Stadium, Perth
Sydney Track Classic – Saturday, February 18 – SOPAC, Sydney
Qantas Melbourne Track Classic – March 2 & 3 – Lakeside Stadium, Melbourne
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