With the pacing help of training partner and best mate Ryan Gregson (Vic), Luke Mathews (Vic) has run a world championships qualifier in the 1500m over the weekend.
In the race at Nijmegen, The Netherlands, Mathews clocked a personal best with 3:35.60 to ensure his name is in the mix for Australian team selection to London 2017.
“Running the qualifier was certainly a monkey off the back,†Mathews said.
“At this point in my career, I know the qualifier is possible in any race, but it's a huge relief once you finally get it done. Now I can go out and chase wins instead of times.â€
Mathews was pipped at the line by Brazilian Thiago Do Rosario Andre who ran 3:35.28. Melbourne Track Club training partners Jordy Williamsz (Vic) finished 5th in 3:37.57 with Matthew Ramsden (WA) coming in 13th with 3:43.42.
In other races in Nijmegen, Jack Rayner (Vic) stretched his winning streak to three races, taking out the 5000m in 13:41.35, Zoe Buckman (Vic) won the women’s 800m in 2:05.18 and Australian world Under 20 championships representative Lachlan Barber (Vic) won his 800m race in 1:49.42.
Elsewhere in the men’s 800m, Rio Olympian Peter Bol (Vic) opened up his European racing season with a strong victory in Pfungstadt, Germany. The Justin Rinaldi coached athlete recorded a season’s best of 1:46.08, a time just 0.67 seconds outside his personal best.
In other overseas competitions, London-bound hurdler Sally Pearson (Qld) continued her strong run of form, running 12.74 (+0.6) in the heat and 12.79 (+0.6) in the final for 4th place at the
In the long jump, Fabrice Lapierre (NSW) jumped 8.03m (-0.1) for second place just behind 4th placegetter at the Rio Olympics, Jarrion Lawson (USA) with 8.06m (+1.0). The jump is Lapierre’s first legal distance over eight metres this year. Lapierre produced a massive windy 8.50m (+4.4) at the Austin Longhorn Invitational (USA) in late April.
In Boston, Sam McEntee (Vic) finished fourth in a field of seven in the men’s 5000m finishing in 13:27.56.
