WEEKEND ROUNDUP: Ex Husky Sam Tanner wins third New Zealand 1500m title...
In Wellington, New Zealand, former Husky Sam Tanner (Paul Merca photo) cruised to his third national title at 1500 meters in an unconventional, but convincing fashion Sunday afternoon to highlight the New Zealand national track & field championships.
Happy to lope along at the back for a casual first 800m, within the space of 100 meters, Tanner, the 3:51.70 miler then advanced from the back to the front and just meters before the bell launched a vicious kick for home and rapidly opened a huge lead.
Tanner would not be caught and even turned off the after burners to cruise home to the gold medal in 3:53.03.
In quotes provided by Athletics New Zealand, Tanner said, “I love racing nationals with the boys, the camaraderie in the call room is awesome so that’s what makes it special for me. The plan was to be at the back at 800m, move up the field and then hit it hard with 400m to go.
“I was planning on running sub-50 on the last lap but with 200m to go, I thought I pulled enough lead so backed off. It is awesome to win that title and follow all the great names before me.”
In Istanbul, Türkiye, former Husky Jack Rowe (photo courtesy British Athletics) finished ninth in the 3000 meter finals at the European Athletics Indoor Track & Field Championships at Ataköy Athletics Hall Sunday.
Rowe found himself in the middle of the pack over the duration of the race, as eventual winner Jakob Ingebrigtsen of Norway took matters in his own hands, controlling the pace from the front, and eventually ramping it up as the laps went by, winning his second championship of the meet in 7:40.32.
Rowe crossed the line in a time of 7:48.32.
In quotes provided by British Athletics, Rowe said: “It was solid but unfortunately solid isn’t good enough anymore. I ran a good race but it just hurt the last 30-40m and I lost a few spots, but I put myself in a good position. Jakob’s clever, he winds and winds and winds it and as soon as you think you’ve got a rhythm it is half a second, quicker, half a second quicker.”
Full results of the European Indoor Championships in Istanbul can be found on the European Athletics website here.
NOTE: European Athletics and the media relations department of Athletics New Zealand & British Athletics contributed to this report.
paulmerca.blogspot.com may receive a commission for any purchases made from links clicked. Please support this site and our sponsors by clicking on the links.
Comments