Saturday 14 July 2007

Craig Mottram

Posted by speedygeoff on Saturday, July 14, 2007 with
It must be very challenging to have the distance running hopes of a nation resting on one set of young, though broad, shoulders. But that's the situation our Aussie star Craig Mottram faces as he gears up for challenges of the next twelve months. In this article, Brad Green reports that Craig Mottram will attempt to better his bronze medal performance in the 2005 world championships in Helsinki, in the 5000m at the world championships in Japan next month, before working towards next year's Beijing Olympics.

Brad writes, "in the space of a fortnight last month, Mottram ran a personal best time on his way to winning a two-mile race in America. His performance was the fastest run on US soil and set a new Australian and Oceania record.

"Then, in his final 5000m hit-out before the worlds, Mottram left Ethiopian pair Tariku Bekele and Abreham Feleke in his wake on his way to winning the Emil Zatopek Memorial race over 5000m in the Czech Republic, beating home 14 quality African runners.

"It has ensured Mottram is one of the favourites to stand on the podium at Osaka".

Read the full article here.

Because of the continuing interest in the article by Craig Mottram's coach Nic Bideau that I published some time ago, I will republish it soon in a single post, making access easier. (See side column for links to the article)