byLarry EderMichael Shelley improved on his silver medal from New Dehli and upset the form charts in the marathon. Shelley is coached by Dick Telford. Dick worked with Rob De Castella back in the 1980s. (I remember quite a memorable workout with Dick, 8 x 400 meters in 72s as Rob was doing 8 x 400 in 62s in front of us, with 40 second 200 meter jogs in between).
Shelley and Cheyech
GLASGOW (GBR, Jul 27): Michael Shelley became the fourth Australian to win the men’s marathon title at the Commonwealth Games, in the first athletics event of Glasgow 2014. The 30 year old improved on his silver medal from Delhi 2010, running a PB of 2:11:15. Shelley is coached by Dick Telford, who also coached two time Commonwealth marathon winner Rob De Castella. Kenya’s Stephen Chemlany surged before 2 hours, but couldn’t break Shelley, who took the lead soon after. Chemlany held on for silver (2:11:58) while Abraham Kiplimo of Uganda won bronze, just ahead of his compatriot Solomon Mutai (2:12:23 to 2:12:26). Defending champion John Kelai of Kenya was 5th. There was also a PB (2:30:12) for Australia’s Jess Trengrove in the women’s race, who finished strong, moving into 3rd in the latter stages. But, it was the Kenyans that finished on top; Paris marathon winner Filomena Cheyech (2:26:45) kicked away from Caroline Kilel (2:27:10) just after 40km in a decisive move. Cheyech time is the second fastest recorded in July.
Ndiku wins 5k
GLASGOW (GBR, Jul 27): In the track action World Indoor champion Caleb Ndiku, running with his hair dyed gold, confirmed his billing as favourite in the men’s 5000m final, controlling the race from the front in the closing stages and sprinting to a clear win in 13:12.07, clocking 1:54 for the last 800m. Isiah Koech made it a 1-2 for Kenya, recording a time of 13:14.06. Zane Robertson of New Zealand was in contention until 200m to go, winning New Zealand’s first medal in the Commonwealth 5000m, clocking 13:16.52. Best European Andy Vernon 13:22.31 as 6th. Top 1500m runner, Nick Willis couldn’t hang with the pace, which was strong from the start, finishing 10th. Defending champion Moses Kipsiro of Uganda was 8th. England’s Adam Gemili was the fastest in the men’s 100m first round with 10.15 (-0.8). Jamaica’s Kemar Bailey-Cole and Trinidad and Tobago’s Keston Bledman both clocked 10.16 (+0.6 and +0.2). Only by time advanced Richard Thompson (10.33) and Harry Aikines-Aryeetey (10.33). New Zealand’s Tom Walsh recorded a new Commonwealth Games record of 21.24 with his first round throw in shot qualifying, also his outdoor PB. Jamaica’s O’Dayne Richards was also impressive with 20.24. Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare (11.20 +0.5) was better than the three Jamaican’s in the women 100 m heats. Trinidad and Tobago’s Michelle-Lee Ahye might not be recovered, she clocked 11.52 for 2nd in heat 4. It is reported that Okagbare will focus on the sprints, rather than the long jump. Canada’s Sultana Frizell broke the Commonwealth Games hammer throw record with a first round throw of 68.57m in qualifying. Defending champion Amantle Montsho was fastest in the women’s 400 m heats with 51.88.
