Sydney University Athletic Club’s 800m marvel Lachlan Renshaw put another notch in his push for a London Olympic Games berth with a strong showing at the Melbourne IAAF World Challenge and Selection Trials at Melbourne’s Lakeside Stadium yesterday.
Renshaw posted 1:46.06 in running third in the Open 800m final, which was won by world record-holder David Rudisha, of Kenya, in 1:44.33, with Australian Jeff Riseley second in 1:45.62.
Renshaw, a Beijing Olympian, ran a spirited race making a bold move with 200m to go only to fade in the final 50m. He narrowly missed the Olympic qualifying time, but is on target to do that in a series of races in the US in April.
SUAC had some other top performers at the selection trials, including James Nipperess, who ran third in the men’s 3000m steeplechase in just his fifth crack at the event. Nipperess’s time of 8:41.94 was just outside his personal best.
The event was won by Australian Olympic representative Yousef Abdi in 8:35.29, with Peter Nowill running second in 8:35.76.
Sydney University female Blue of the Year for 2011, Lara Tamsett, ran second in the women’s 5000m at the selection trials, run in terrible conditions on Friday night.
Tamsett, who is on the comeback trail after a long injury lay-off, ran 16:04.40 to finish behind Emily Brichacek (15:43.86), with Sophie Barker third in 16:40.87.
The Sydney University Elite Athlete Program (EAP) scholarship holder hopes to post an Olympic qualifying time during competition in the US in the coming months.
Newcomers to SUAC, Milly Clarke and Nic Hough, also put in solid performances at the Melbourne meet.
Clarke finished third in the women’s 3000m open steeplechase in 10:17.63, behind Victoria Mitchell (9:57.85) and Genevieve LaCaze (10:14.86), while Hough finished ninth in the men’s 100m and sixth in the 200m.
Scoreboard
IAAF World Challenge and Olympic Selection Trials – Lakeside Stadium, Melbourne
Men:
800m Open: 1 David Rudisha, Kenya (1:44.33), 2, Jeff Riseley, Aust (1:45.62), 3 Lachlan Renshaw, SUAC, Aust (1:46.06).
3000m Steeplechase Open: 1 Youcef Abdi, Aust (8:35.29), 2 Peter Nowill, Aust (8:35.76), 3 James Nipperess, SUAC, Aust (8:41.94).
Women:
5000m Open: 1 Emily Brichacek, Aust (15:43.86), 2 Lara Tamsett, SUAC, Aust (16:04.40), 3 Sophie Barker, Aust (16:40.87).
3000m Steeplechase Open: 1 Victoria Mitchell, Aust (9:57.85), 2 Genevieve LaCaze, Aust (10:14.86), 3, Milly Clark, SUAC Aust (10:17.63)