Dent chasing three-peat in Noosa

Although many punters will endeavour to back the trifecta at Flemington Racecourse on Saturday, Commonwealth Games representative Martin Dent will pound the pavement in Noosa - firmly fixated on the number three for another reason.

The 28 year-old will be chasing his third title in a row at Australia’s premier 5km road race, the Asics 5km Bolt, an event which attracts a talented field of male and female distance runners.

After taking out the Skilled Burnie Ten two weeks ago, the Canberra-based athlete is in solid form and is confident of taking home the coveted title.

But Dent will not have it all his own way. Rising star Collis Birmingham will be seeking revenge after his opportunity for back-to-back Burnie Ten titles was taken away by Dent in one fell swoop.

After finishing on the podium in his last three attempts at Noosa, Brisbane steeplechase specialist Peter Nowill will be determined to go one better in 2007. Geelong’s Mark Tucker, winner of the 2004 edition, will also be in the mix as will three-time national 800m champion Nick Bromley.

In the absence of Victoria Mitchell, who has had to withdraw from the women’s field due to an Achilles injury, fellow Osaka World Championships team member Lisa Corrigan will start as outright favourite.

Second to Eloise Wellings at Noosa last year in 16:24, Corrigan may encounter some close attention from Haley Field, the two-time winner of the City to Surf.

A long time Noosa tradition, the Asics Bolt will be played out in front of thousands of sports fans and curious onlookers who line the hot and noisy Noosa Parade. The event is just one of the many attractions of the Noosa Triathlon Multisport Festival which celebrates its 25th birthday in 2007.

Results, when available, will be published here

With thanks to USM Events