Athletics Australia – News – Sprint to the finish for Australian Athletics Tour crown

Now only six days away, the Go for 2&5 Australian Athletics Tour Final is fast approaching and, similar to the distance division we previewed yesterday, the anticipation surrounding the sprints/hurdles crown is mouth watering.

Currently led by Sally Pearson, Tamsyn Lewis and Lauren Boden on 20 points, the trio look set to battle it out for the $10,000 winner's cheque with fellow Australian Flame athletes Ben Offereins, Aaron Rouge-Serret and Brendan Cole.

Arguably the strongest contender, Pearson is unbeaten domestically in 2011 and heads to Perth in blistering form. Set to start in the 100m and 200m, the Beijing Olympics silver medallist and Commonwealth hurdles champion can take her total to 24 points by winning both events in a time faster than 11.40 (100m) and 23.27 (200m) – well within her reach.

Lewis, unbelievably also in contention for the distance title, will once again burst out of the blocks in the women's 400m. If her Hunter (first, 52.15) and Sydney (first Australian, 52.26) Track Classic form continues, the 15-time national champion could win and clock sub-52.52 to walk away with 12 points (10 + 2 bonus points) from the Tour Final.  This would ensure a 22 point total from her two best performances and almost guarantee a minor placing.

Taking to the start line for the women's 400m hurdles, Boden, who set a then personal best of 55.86 at the Australian Athletics Championships in Perth last year, faces a similar equation. Two previous victories (Sydney, Briggs) for a 20 point total can be improved to a final point score of 22 if the Commonwealth Games representative can again cross the line first in a time below 57.22.

The most obvious challenge to our current leaders comes from Brendan Cole, Ben Offereins, currently equal 4^th, and Aaron Rouge-Serret.

Cole currently sits on 18 points, with his season best performance of 50.25 for 10 points (8 + 2 bonus points) at the IAAF Melbourne Track Classic again required for title contention. To ensure a point score of 12 (10 + 2 bonus points), bringing his total to 22, Cole needs to win the men's 400m hurdles in under 50.41. The Commonwealth Games 4x400m relay gold medallist can score 23 points if he takes line honours in a personal best of 49.35 (10 + 3 bonus points).

Competing on his home track, Offereins' best performance to date scored the national 400m champion 9 points (8 + 1 bonus point). At the Go for 2&5 Australian Athletics Tour Final, the West Australian can make a play for a minor placing if he takes his point score to 21 points by winning in a time of 45.92 (10 + 2 points).

Winner of the 100m and 200m double at the IAAF Melbourne Track Classic, Rouge-Serret looks set to score his first bonus points based on previous form at the Western Australian Athletics Centre. Once again starting in the short sprints double, the 23-year-old can finish with a total of 22 points, ironically with his best two performances occurring in Perth,  if he clocks 10.35 (100m) and 20.89 (200m).

Adding spice to an already exciting scenario is dual world champion Jana Rawlinson. Possibly competing for the first time domestically since 2006 and currently listed in the women's 400m and 400m hurdles, her times and performances ensure an intriguing effect on the point scores of so many athletes.

Prize money for the Australian Athletics Tour, including the sprint/hurdles title, is as follows:
1^st – $10,000
2^nd – $7000
3^rd – $4000
4^th – $2500
5^th – $1000
6^th – $500

Current standings in the race for the sprints/hurdles crown are as follows:

Athlete	Current Ranking	Current Points Total
Lauren Boden	Equal 1st*	20
Tamsyn Lewis	Equal 1st*	20
Sally Pearson	Equal 1st*	20
Brendan Cole	Equal 4th*	18
Ben Offereins	Equal 4th*	18

*Please note that a tie break based on world rankings will take place if  scores remain the same at the conclusion of competition in Perth.

The Go for 2&5 Australian Athletics Tour Final will be held in Perth on Thursday, March 31 and Friday, April 1.

Tickets are available through Ticketmaster or at the gate.

To download and view the current Australian Athletics Tour leader boards, please click here.

To find out more about the Go for 2&5 Australian Athletics Tour Final, please click here.

Go for 2&5 Australian Athletics Tour Final
Thursday, March 31 & Friday, April 1
5:30pm (8:30pm AEDST)
Western Australian Athletics Centre

In a first for Australian athletics, the Go for 2&5 Australian Athletics Tour Final in Perth will be streamed live onwww.wcsn.com.au

Athletics Australia – News