02.11.2009

Birmingham, Corrigan bolt to victory in Noosa

Australian Flame athlete Collis Birmingham has defended his Noosa Bolt title and Olympic Games 1500m runner Lisa Corrigan has broken through for her first win in five attempts on the annual race in Queensland at the weekend.
 
Birmingham, who contested the finals of both the 5000m and 10,000m at this year's world track and field titles in Berlin, covered the 5km course in 14:02 to finish ahead of fellow Flame representative Martin Dent and some-time training partner Bobby Curtis.
 
"It's really great racing here and it's just so well supported,'' Birmingham said of the estimated 25,000-strong crowd lining the Noosa course.
 
Despite concerns he had gone out too hard in the early stages of the race, the 24-year-old Ballarat athlete came home strong to pip Dent, a three-time winner of the Noosa Bolt and marathon contender at this year's world championships.
 
"I thought I might have started racing too quickly too early but it was okay,'' Birmingham said.
 
While Birmingham defended the title he won a year ago, a delighted Lisa Corrigan claimed her maiden win in a race she has contested on four previous occasions.
 
"I've got a third, a did not finish, a second, a did not finish and now a first,'' said the Queenslander and well-known 1500m runner who, like Birmingham, is aiming for a berth on the Australian team to contest next year's Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.
 
In one of the closest finishes in the history of the Bolt Corrigan just edged out national 1500m champion Sarah Jamieson, crossing the line in 16:11 to claim line honours by just a second over her Victorian rival.

Chiba-bound Ekiden relay representative Nikki Chapple was third in 16:17 followed by two-time winner and defending champion Lara Tamsett (16:29) and Lisa Flint (16:37).

Results

Men 
1. Collis Birmingham 14:02
2. Martin Dent 14:06
3. Bobby Curtis 14:11
4. Grant Page 14:13
5. Jason Woolhouse 14:21
 
Women
1. Lisa Corrigan 16:11
2. Sarah Jamieson 16.12
3. Nikki Chapple 16:17
4. Lara Tamsett 16:29
5. Lisa Flint 16:37