Athletics Australia – News – Tonight\’s Adelaide Invitational looks set to be the best yet

Tonight's Adelaide Airport Invitational at Santos Stadium is shaping as one of the best meets in the event’s history with more than 80 athletes competing across 11 events.

The event continues to grow in interest and popularity and tonight's meet has attracted a large contingent of Victorian athletes as they prepare for next weekend’s national championships in Melbourne.

The feature event of the night will be the men’s 800m with arguably the most talented field assembled for any event in the history of the Adelaide Airport Invitational. Headlining what promises to be an intriguing battle is 2006 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Mark Fountain. Returning from injury, Fountain showed he is ready to again run fast after posting 3:40 for 1500m to finish second at the Australian Athletics Tour Final in Perth last week. Finishing ahead of Fountain in that meet was Brenton Rowe who will also be lining up in the 800m. Rowe and Fountain will also be joined by fellow Victorians Jordan Williamsz and Lachlan Aspinall who are sure to feature prominently.

Flying the South Australian flag will be Andrew Giam, State Champion Robert Killmier, and the in-form James Boden, who ran 1:49 for 800m in Perth last week. In all, there are 9 runners who have 800m personal best times of 1:51 or better. The question on everyone’s lips will be can James Boden’s meet record of 1:48.92 set last year survive the night. With Michael Nitschke as the designated pace maker, and a race bursting with talent, this promises to be a spectacle of national quality middle distance running.

South Australian distance running has experienced a resurgence of late and the 3000m is sure to be another highlight of the Adelaide Airport Invitational. Newly crowned 1500m state champion Rhys Jones will take on Adelaide Harriers team mate Chris Hartley, with their training partner, national junior champion Luke Hargreaves, electing to take the pace. After impressive performances in the recent National Junior Championships and the open State Championships, brothers Jacob and Riley Cocks will be looking to further challenge their personal bests. Former World Cross Country representative, Duer Yoa will also be one to watch as he returns to fitness.

The women’s 100m promises to be an enthralling battle as state champion Leanne Hodge takes on former national medallist Alicia Wrench-Doody. Hodge prevailed over Wrench-Doody in a closely fought contest at the recent state championships, and Wrench-Doody will be eager to reverse the result on this occasion. In the men’s 100m, Todd Bateman will be looking to sharpen up for the National Championships in Melbourne next week after running a wind-assisted 10.57 to comfortably claim the State Championship.

In the long jump, National Junior Champion, Tim McGuire will take on Victorian, Adam Rabone, and current National Decathlon Champion, Jarrod Sims. A select field has also been assembled in the mixed pole vault with Tim MacDermott and Jana Tankosic the ones to watch, along with national junior medallist Tom McNamara. Athletes With a Disability will also compete over 100m and in the 400m wheelchair.

Kicking off at 6:30pm on Thursday night with pole vault, the Adelaide Airport Invitational will run through until just after 8pm, with the final race and feature event, the men’s 800m commencing at 8:15pm. Entry is free for all spectators.

For more information visit the next Athletics SA website at www.athleticssa.com.au

Athletics Australia – News