mastermulti
Master
.... another athlete who doesn't follow the script; in this case that Africans
always win the 5000m event.
28.06.2007
"Mottram surges to Golden Spike crown
Matching the class of his African counterparts once again, the
indefatigable Craig Mottram has won the Emil Zatopek 5000m against a
star-studded field at the 46th Golden Spike Grand Prix meeting in
Ostrava overnight.
In what Australian athletics fans hope is a sign of things to come at the
IAAF World Championships in Osaka in 66 days time, Mottram stormed
home in 13:04.97 from Ethiopians Tariku Bekele (13:05.42) and Abreham
Feleke (13:05.83), the World Junior gold and silver medallists of 2006.
2007 World Cross Country silver medallist Moses Mosop (Kenya) was
fourth in 13:07.89 with fellow countryman Joseph Ebuya, the World Junior
bronze medallist, fifth in 13:09.01.
Although the pace wasn't as quick as expected, Mottram - who was also
named athlete of the meet - was delighted with his performance in his
only scheduled 5000m hit-out prior to Osaka.
"I didn't run as quick as I would have liked and I believe I could run much
faster but the win was a priority," he said.
"They said the pace was going to be fast, 7:40 into 3km, but then the
pacemaker hurt himself and the pace slowed, so it was more of a tactical
affair mid-race.
"Bekele was on my heels coming into home but I was just too fast."
Mottram put his foot on the gas in the final lap, clocking 53.5 seconds
flying home with 200m to go in 26.5 seconds.
"I'm very happy, (it was a) good race and a good win," he continued.
"Nic (Bideau) and I picked out Ostrava six months ago as a good race to
compete in prior to the world champs.
"It fitted in nicely to the world champs plan and that race gives me
confidence for the main event in two months time.
"I hope that in Osaka the outcome of the race will be the same as here,
where the Africans are looking at my back."
Renowned for his crowd-pleasing antics, Mottram was forced to be a bit
more reserved this time around - blowing a kiss into the stands once
victory was safe.
"There wasn't a big enough gap (from Bekele) to salute the crowd down
the home straight so I had to wait until I crossed the line this time," he
laughed.
Despite his awesome efforts, a lot more work awaits 'The Big Mazungo'
who will return to his training base in London tomorrow for two weeks of
solid ground work before hitting the track again in Sheffield on July 15."
(I had to chuckle... after 3 miles (4,800m) he runs the last 200 in 26.5.
I'm good for only ONE solitary 200 at that pace LOL)
Edited by: mastermulti
always win the 5000m event.
28.06.2007
"Mottram surges to Golden Spike crown
Matching the class of his African counterparts once again, the
indefatigable Craig Mottram has won the Emil Zatopek 5000m against a
star-studded field at the 46th Golden Spike Grand Prix meeting in
Ostrava overnight.
In what Australian athletics fans hope is a sign of things to come at the
IAAF World Championships in Osaka in 66 days time, Mottram stormed
home in 13:04.97 from Ethiopians Tariku Bekele (13:05.42) and Abreham
Feleke (13:05.83), the World Junior gold and silver medallists of 2006.
2007 World Cross Country silver medallist Moses Mosop (Kenya) was
fourth in 13:07.89 with fellow countryman Joseph Ebuya, the World Junior
bronze medallist, fifth in 13:09.01.
Although the pace wasn't as quick as expected, Mottram - who was also
named athlete of the meet - was delighted with his performance in his
only scheduled 5000m hit-out prior to Osaka.
"I didn't run as quick as I would have liked and I believe I could run much
faster but the win was a priority," he said.
"They said the pace was going to be fast, 7:40 into 3km, but then the
pacemaker hurt himself and the pace slowed, so it was more of a tactical
affair mid-race.
"Bekele was on my heels coming into home but I was just too fast."
Mottram put his foot on the gas in the final lap, clocking 53.5 seconds
flying home with 200m to go in 26.5 seconds.
"I'm very happy, (it was a) good race and a good win," he continued.
"Nic (Bideau) and I picked out Ostrava six months ago as a good race to
compete in prior to the world champs.
"It fitted in nicely to the world champs plan and that race gives me
confidence for the main event in two months time.
"I hope that in Osaka the outcome of the race will be the same as here,
where the Africans are looking at my back."
Renowned for his crowd-pleasing antics, Mottram was forced to be a bit
more reserved this time around - blowing a kiss into the stands once
victory was safe.
"There wasn't a big enough gap (from Bekele) to salute the crowd down
the home straight so I had to wait until I crossed the line this time," he
laughed.
Despite his awesome efforts, a lot more work awaits 'The Big Mazungo'
who will return to his training base in London tomorrow for two weeks of
solid ground work before hitting the track again in Sheffield on July 15."
(I had to chuckle... after 3 miles (4,800m) he runs the last 200 in 26.5.
I'm good for only ONE solitary 200 at that pace LOL)
Edited by: mastermulti