Athletics Australia – News – DIAMOND LEAGUE in Glasgow

Genevieve LaCaze (Qld) and Madeline Heiner (NSW) have delivered personal best performances in the women’s 3000m steeplechase to headline Australian results on day two of the British Athletics Grand Prix in Glasgow (SCO), as the Olympic champion Sally Pearson (Qld) stormed home for third in the women’s 100m hurdles.

Stopping the clock at 9:33.19, LaCaze’s run ensured 9th place in a stacked field that also saw a world lead from the winner Hiwot Ayalew (ETH, first, 9:10.64) and national records for Emma Coburn (USA, second, 9:11.42), Charlotta Fougberg (SWE, 4th, 9:23.96) and Sandra Eriksson (FIN, 6th, 9:24.70).

The time improves LaCaze’s previous best by just shy of four seconds and highlights her continued form this season after clocking a then PB of 9:37.16 at the IFAM Meeting in Oordegem (BEL) in late May.

Heiner’s entry to compete marked her first as part of the IAAF Diamond League series and what a start it was. Crossing just one spot behind her compatriot in 10th, her performance of 9:36.31 smashes the 9:48.25 she ran to set a then career best time at the Australian Athletics Championships in April.

In the women’s 100m hurdles, Pearson enjoyed a trademark strong start before lunging at the line to record 12.87 (w: +0.2) and edge out her main Commonwealth rival Tiffany Porter (GBR, 4th, 12.88) in a photo finish. Queen Harrison (USA) won the race in 12.59.

Pearson’s performance shows progression for the reigning Commonwealth Games gold medallist after an uncharacteristically slow international season opener in Nivelles (BEL) and 6th place in 12.89 at the IAAF Diamond League in Paris (FRA) last week. She will now race in Lucerne (SUI) on Tuesday 15 July before arriving at the Athletics Team Camp for the Commonwealth Games in Gateshead.

“The stadium is fantastic, and the crowds here are always so supportive which is positive. The concept they have pulled together here with the elevated track is great, it’s a good surface,” Pearson said.

“I’m still undecided on what I will compete in at the Commonwealth Games. I’m hoping that I will be able to start in both the 100m flat and the hurdles but we’ll wait and see. We have a big team coming to Glasgow and it will be fantastic to be back here racing again soon.”

Also competing on day two at the British Athletics Grand Prix were national record holders Melissa Breen (ACT) and Alana Boyd (Qld), and the men’s 4x100m relay team of Jin Su Jung (NSW), Jarrod Geddes (NSW), Jake Hammond (NSW) and Tim Leathart (NSW), who placed 4th in 39.35.

Launching from the blocks in the women’s 100m ‘B’ race, Breen stopped the clock at 11.38 (w: +0.9) to place 5th behind winner Dafne Schippers (NED, first, 11.03), while Boyd finished 8th in the women’s pole vault after soaring over both 4.20m and 4.40m before stumbling at 4.55m.

The close of competition in Glasgow does not mark the close of competition opportunities for Australians headed to the Commonwealth Games, with track and field action set to continue as soon as tomorrow morning AEST in Kortrijk (BEL).

To view competition opportunities for Glasgow 2014 bound athletes, please click here.

The Athletics Team Camp for the Commonwealth Games opens Sunday 14 July, with all athletes expected to arrive by Thursday 17 July. The athletics team will then travel to the Athletes’ Village on Monday 21 July ahead of the Opening Ceremony two days later.

For more information on Round 10 of the IAAF Diamond League, including results, please click here.

Athletics Australia – News