Archive for August, 2008
Craig Mottram in 5000m semis
Australia’s great distance hope, Craig Mottram, is out of the Olympic Games after failing to qualify for the 5000m final last night. Considered by many to be in the medal mix, Mottram struggled over the final lap of last night’s heat to finish fifth, with his time not quick enough to make into the field for Saturday night’s final. It is second major championships in a row that the 28-year-old has struggled to have an impact but he offered no excuses afterwards despite the humid conditions turning the Bird’s Nest into a sweltering sauna.
Add your comment hereQueensland Trails Forum - Meeting Two
At our second meeting the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service presented an analysis of three Queensland permit applications, two declined (Rainbow Beach, Mapleton) and one accepted (Lamington Classic 2008). This was very interesting as it included the detailed rationale behind the decisions. We certainly have our work cut out, as there were many different reasons sited for the declines, some we’d seen in the formal decisions and some new from the internal documents.
Add your comment here
Tough Bloke / Tough Chick Challenge – Time to harden up!
In the summer of 2008, men and women will rise from their comfortable armchairs and flock to the outskirts of Sydney where a challenge will determine the toughest of them all. Unlike any other endurance event in Australia, there will be no place for designer shorts or a pair of flashy runners! You will rely solely on the guts and determination that lies deep within as you take on a race that is likely to be the toughest thing you’ll ever do. Welcome to Tough Bloke Challenge! It’s time to harden up!
Add your comment hereHaile Gebrselassie’s 10,000m final
Haile Gebrselassie is the greatest ever distance runner the world has ever seen. Sunday’s 10000m final confirmed that for me. Forget that Kenenisa Bekele broke the Olympic record, and clocked a 53 second final lap to win in just over 27 minutes. Haile was the star of the night, and his sixth place was the highlight (comment from The Runner’s Tribe website)
Add your comment hereRogaining Australian Champs - Results
Eighty teams competed in the Australian 24 Hour Rogaining champs over the weekend starting 15 August. Three teams achieved maximum points of 2120, with the mixed team of David Baldwin, Julie Quinn, Phil Whitten first home in just over 22 hours. The event was held near Inverell in northern NSW.
Results here
About the event here
Olympic Events Schedule & Mottram Update
Craig Mottram is chilled out and ready to go at his third Olympic Games. In the foyer of a hotel in Hong Kong, the distance-running star eased into a velvet lounge chair and said everything had gone to plan in the past six months. Mottram has not missed a training session since December, and is in high spirits. “I’m good, I can’t complain. I’ve had fun getting ready for this, it’s good to finally be here,” he said. “I’ve been trying to keep it normal. I haven’t been doing anything different.
Link to full Olymics and separate Athletics schedule here
Add your comment hereMadeira Island Ultra Trail Race
Check out the inspiring pics from this race on the island of Madeira, via the Coolrunning post - too many to add here, so just a few samples below.
Coolrunning link: www.coolrunning.com.au
Race site: www.madeiraultratrail.com
Wagga Wagga Trail Marathon - 2008
Pressure from statutory bodies put an end to the popular Junee to Wagga marathon after 26 years, but organisers have come back with a new event set to reignite the sport in Riverina (Wagga Wagga is 160km west of Canberra).
