01.05.2009

Birmingham back to where it all began

Just days after setting a new national benchmark in the 10,000m, Collis Birmingham will this weekend return to where it all began when he lines up in the Ballarat Lake Relays.

The annual run around Ballarat’s Lake Wendouree is a far cry from the bright lights of last weekend’s record-breaking run in the USA, but for Ballarat-born Birmingham, his return to the local relay event marks one of the highlights of his hometown athletics calendar.

The 24-year-old Victorian and long-time member of Eureka Athletics Club will race the six-kilometre event alongside some of his longest-standing running mates, including father Gerry.

Birmingham’s father will be keeping a close eye on his son in tomorrow’s run, last week forced to rely on live updates from a track marshall as he ran laps of the track at a local competition. 

Now a major player on the world stage, Collis will this weekend line up for a more relaxed outing in his hometown.

“It’s a lot more relaxed this weekend but I’ll be wanting to have a good run,” Birmingham said.

“I haven’t raced the event for the last couple of years but before that I did six or seven of them and it will be good to get out and have a run with some of the guys I’ve been running around with for years.”

Entering the race in record-breaking form all eyes will be on the clock when Birmingham crosses the line, a second record in seven days not out of the question for the unassuming distance star.

Not since 1992 has a new record been set, when fellow Ballarat local and national icon Steve Moneghetti circled the lake in 16:10 to set the longstanding benchmark.
 
Birmingham, who in 24 years has run more laps around Lake Wendouree than most will in a lifetime, said news of his record-breaking run had been quick to make its way back to Ballarat and the local pub.

And while the result has taken few in his hometown by surprise, Birmingham himself can hardly believe the feat days after etching his name into the record books.

“I was hoping to run an A-qualifier and a personal best but to get the national record is a bonus,” he said.

“I was in good shape and hopeful of getting the qualifier but the record was really good and it gives me a lot of confidence leading into Berlin.”

“Shaun Creighton had the record before me and before that it was Ron Clarke and they’re both people I have a lot of respect for so it means a lot to add my name to the list.”

Birmingham, who in California slashed a massive 40 seconds off his previous best to stop the clock at 27:29.73 and claim the national record, will soon return overseas to continue his charge towards the Berlin world championships.  

“I still haven’t decided on the events I’ll be doing so I guess I have to work that out over the next few weeks,” he said.

“I’m at home for another few weeks and then I’ll be heading to Europe to start the build-up to Berlin.”