19.11.2009

Mottram to headline Chiba Ekiden relay team

To be held in Chiba, Japan this coming Monday (23 November 2009) the Australian team at the Chiba Ekiden Relay will be headlined by returning distance running star Craig Mottram.

The three-time Olympian, three-time World Championships representative and Commonwealth Games silver medallist will return to action following a lengthy absence as a result of injury as he looks towards the Australian athletics season and qualification for next year’s Commonwealth Games.

In his first competitive outing since last year’s Great Australian Run, 29-year-old Mottram will be joined by fellow Australian distance runners Kane Wille, Tim Rowe, Lisa Flint, Clare Geraghty and Nikki Chapple whom together combine to cover varying distances as part of a 42.195km marathon.

Flint and Geragthy enter the team following the withdrawal of Sarah Jamieson and Lara Tamsett, respectively.

Jamieson has been forced out with injury whilst Tamsett is unavailable at the time of the meet.

Geraghty has been elevated from the reserve position to join the team with Flint’s selection resulting from her recent completion of the Melbourne Marathon in both a personal best and Commonwealth Game A-qualifying time (2:34.08).

The meet, also, marks the first international appearance for 20-year-old Victorian Wille who impressed selectors with his performance at the National Cross Country Championships held in August.

Hollie Emery, a 2009 World Junior Cross Country representative, joins Ben St Lawrence as reserves.

Athletics Australia’s National Distance Coordinator Tim O’Shaughnessy is confident in the squad.

“Australia has had a strong history at the Ekiden meet and this year’s team is no exception.”

“Admittedly the changes to the squad in the lead up to the event aren’t ideal, but with Craig (Mottram) returning I couldn’t be more confident in the team’s ability to rally together.”

“Nikki (Chapple) has been in great form overseas in recent months and I have a lot of confidence in new faces to the team like Kane Wille,” he said.

 

 

Although the order is yet to be confirmed, the Australian team lines up in the traditional Ekiden Relay format of:

Leg 1: Craig Mottram (5km Men)

Leg 2: Lisa Flint (5km Women)

Leg 3: Kane Wille (10km Men)

Leg 4: Clare Geraghty (5km Women)

Leg 5: Tim Rowe (10km Men)

Leg 6: Nikki Chapple (7.195km Women)