Sydney University distance runner Lara Tamsett is now ranked 14 in the world following her strong showing in the World Half Marathon Championships at Kavarna, Bulgaria, at the weekend.
The two-time City to Surf winner finished 14th in a star-studded field and beat home a number of very well credentialled rivals, including 2008 Olympic 10,000m bronze medallist Shalane Flanagan of the US, who finished 25th.
Ethiopian outsider Meseret Hailu, 22, won the 20th edition of the World Half Marathon in 1:08.55, slicing two minutes off her previous best time for the distance.
Countrywomen, Feyse Tadese, finished second in 1:08.56, with Kenyan, Paskalia Chepkorir Kipkoech, third in 1:09.04.
Tamsett’s time of 1:12.58 was her best at international level. She ran 1:12.19 at the Gold Coast Half Marathon in 2011, but conditions in Kavarna were much tougher with temperatures rising to 30C and high humidity in the Black Sea city.
Tamsett, a Bachelor of Arts (Media and Communications) student, is a Sydney Uni Sport & Fitness Elite Athlete Program (EAP) scholarship holder.
