Athletics Australia – News – Pearson wins in Linz

A number of Australians, including the Olympic champion Sally Pearson (Qld) in the 100m hurdles, competed overnight in the Gugl Games in Linz (AUT).

Other Australians competing included Australian Flame Collis Birmingham (Vic) and Ben St. Lawrence as well as IAAF World Championships finalist Brett Robinson in the 3000m, and Ryan Gregson (NSW) in the 1000m.

Coming off her IAAF World Championships silver medal performance, Pearson won her race convincingly in a time of 12.82. She was more than a quarter of a second clear of her nearest rival, Okori Reina-Flor, from France.

In the 3000m, a tactical race was won by 2007 World Champion Bernard Lagat (USA) in 7:46.39. St. Lawrence was the best placed Australian, finishing in third place less than a second back in 7:47.16 and Birmingham was fifth in 7:49.63. Robinson finished further back in 12th position in 8:02.60.

Gregson, coming off injury that kept him out of the World Championships in Moscow, competed in the 1000m finishing in 17th place in a time of 2:27.86. His ‘Ballarat Project’ teammate Paul Robinson from Ireland won the race from Andrew Wheating (USA) in 2:18.29.

With thanks to Alex Howard

Athletics Australia – News