Kara Patterson takes victory in Sydney; Thurmond third, while Lagat fourth in Birmingham...

SYDNEY, Australia--Kara Patterson (left/photo by Mike Scott) easily won the javelin Saturday night at the Sydney Track Classic at the Sydney Olympic Park with a toss of 191-10 (58.47m).

Competing against a domestic field, the Skyview/Vancouver graduate put it away in the opening round, throwing 187-2 (57.05m), with all six throws good enough to win.

The three time US national champion, competing in her second meet of this Australian tour, improved to 191-8 (58.42m) in round two, before getting her best toss of 191-10 in the fifth round.

In a very competitive event, University of Washington alum Aretha Thurmond finished third in the discus with a toss of 197-3 (60.12m).

Reigning Olympic champion Stephanie Brown-Trafton took the victory, spinning the platter 207-5 (63.23m), with local hero and 2009 world champion Dani Samuels taking second in 199-1 (60.68m).

Complete results from the Sydney Track Classic are available here.

At the Aviva Birmingham Grand Prix in Birmingham, England, Bernard Lagat, fresh off his American record in the 5000, finished fourth in the 1500, running a season best 3:36.20.

Lagat said before the race that he was aiming for a time around 3:33-3:34ish.

The WSU alum tucked in behind Augustine Choge and the pacemaker Justin Koech, as they went through 400 in 56.4. The pack then ran 1:54.6 at 800, then picked up to 2:52.6 through 1200 meters, as a group of three opened up a gap on Lagat.

Kenya's Nixon Chepseba took the win in 3:34.70, followed by countryman Bethwel Birgen in 3:34.88.

Ethiopia's Gebremedhin Mekonnen took third in 3:34.89.

Complete results from the Aviva Birrmingham Grand Prix are available here.