Jeff Riseley and Zoe Buckman both set new personal best times in the 800m and 1500m respectively at the IAAF world challenge meet in Rieti (ITA), while Sally Pearson came second in the 100m. 

World champion Pearson had her sights set on Melinda Gainsford-Taylor’s national record in the 100m and had Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (JAM) started she may well have been driven into such territory.

However, Pearson ran 11.24 to finish second behind Schillonie Calvert (JAM) who won in 11.09. Pearson’s 4x100m relay team member Melissa Breen crossed the line in seventh in 11.74. 

Riseley found himself in a quick 800m, which was won by the world champion David Rudisha (KEN) in a new world-lead time of 1:41.33. Riseley came seventh in 1:44.64, which moved him up to second on the Australian all-time list.

Meanwhile in the women’s 1500m (Race 1), Buckman was one of nine athletes to run faster than the time it took to win gold at the world championships in Daegu. Buckman’s time of 4:05.06 saw her place ninth and move up to third on the Australian all-time list, while Mariem Selsouli (MAR) won in 4:01.04. 

In the second 1500m, world championships semi finalist Kaila McKnight finished third in 4:06.58, which is the second fastest time she has clocked this season. Hellen Obiri (KEN), who won in 4:04.10, and Genzebe Dibaba (ETH), both recorded personal bests.

In the men’s 1500m Collis Birmingham ran a season’s best of 3:36.87 to finish seventh place, while Ryan Gregson came home in 12^th in 3:47.05. World champion Asbel Kiprop (KEN) won the race in a new world-lead time of 3:30.46. 

In other results:

–        Walter Dix (USA), the silver medalist in the 100m at the world championships, won the 100m in 10.02 with compatriot Justin Gatlin inthird.

–        Kaliese Spencer (JAM) followed up her Diamond League title with a win in Rieti and was the only athlete under 55 seconds, in 53.60.

–        Shericka Williams (JAM) won the 400m in 50.81, with Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu (GBR) in fourth place

–        Bernard Lagat (USA) won the 3000m in 7:32.13 ahead of Vincent Chepkok (KEN)

Athletics Australia – News