Athletics Australia – News – WEEKEND UPDATE: Personal bests to McNeill and Crowther

The Australian road show on the European athletics circuit has continued across the weekend, with Victorian David McNeill arguably the highlight thanks to a personal best across 3000m at the 60th Cork City Sports in Cork (GBR).

Taking line honours in a time of 7:58.55, only his second time below eight minutes, Australian Flame McNeill was joined on the start line by Zoe Buckman (4th, 4:11.99), James Kaan (10th, 3:45.10) and Brett Robinson (12th, 3:46.90) who all competed across 1500m.

Meanwhile in Uden (NED), Craig Mottram continued the middle distance theme with victory across 1500m in a time of 3:37.53. Mark Fountain, who was also expected to compete, unfortunately did not start.

This race was Mottram’s first hit-out at this distance in Europe this year and he will next compete in the 5000m at the Birmingham instalment of the Samsung Diamond League where he will look to stake his claim for 2011 IAAF world championships selection.

Across the border in Sotteville (FRA), 2007 World University Games champion Robbie Crowther claimed victory in the men’s long jump ahead of local Kafetein Gomis. Crowther recorded an impressive new personal best of 8.09m (w: +1.5) after arriving in Europe only 5 days ago. He will continue his campaign for the 8.20m world championshiops qualifier in Kortrijk (BEL) next Saturday, July 9, with jumps squad coach Gary Bourne confident of his ability to deliver the result.

Commonwealth champion Fabrice Lapierre took the runway alongside Crowther, with the world indoor champion leaping 8.02m just days before his Diamond League return in Paris this Friday. 

In other Sotteville results, Ben Offereins clocked 46.71 for 7th in the men’s 400m, Henry Frayne won the silver medal in the triple jump with a 16.82m best effort and Jeremy Roff stopped the clock at 3:38.71 (7th) in the men’s 1500m.

On the same day, in extremely difficult, bitterly cold (12 degrees), blustery and rainy conditions in Bad Langansalza (GER), Mitchell Watt opened his European campaign with a best jump of 8.20m to finish 3rd on a count-back in the men’s long jump.

Watt, who is a world and world indoor championships bronze medallist, currently lays claim to the two longest jumps in the world this year and has set himself a tough competition schedule in Europe in preparation for his assault on the IAAF world championships.

Unfortunately  his plans to win were thwarted when he bruised his heel on take-off in his first attempt. After his third round 8.20m leap, Watt withdrew from competition, planning instead to focus on recovery as the Paris Diamond League approaches.

Domestically, Laura Whaler and Charlotte Van Veenendaal led the charge, with the duo clocking 11.78 and 11.84 for second and third respectively at the Down Under Championships on the Gold Coast.

For more information on where Australians are competing in the coming week, please click here.

Athletics Australia – News