Olympic silver medallist Nick Willis to race in Melbourne
Commonwealth Games champion and Olympic 1500m silver medallist Nick Willis will return to competition in Australia for the first time since the 2006 Commonwealth Games when he races at the Melbourne Track Classic on 4 March.
Willis, who was celebrated in his native New Zealand as continuing the nation's proud miling history when he won gold in the Melbourne Cricket Ground on a night in 2006 remembered by most Australians forCraig Mottram's fall with 700m remaining, is looking forward to continuing the Trans-Tasman rivalry.
"I haven't raced in Australia for nearly four years, so it will be great to come back and try and let the Aussies know that their Trans-Tasman neighbor can still show them a thing or two on the track," said Willis.
"It would be great to run a fast time somewhere in the 3:33 to 3:36 range, but most importantly for me will be to try to win the race.”
The time is certainly not out of question for Willis is in good form, having overcome a year of injuries to recently win the mile at the Boston Indoor Games in 3:55.27 and then setting a New Zealand indoor record of 3:35.80 in Birmingham, UK on the weekend. The 1500m in Melbourne will serve as preparation for a personal best attempt in the 800m, which Willis hopes to double in later in the year at the Commonwealth Games, in March at the International Track Meet in Christchurch.
"I'm gearing up for a fast 800m in New Zealand on March 18th," he said.
By Tim McGrath
Click here to read the full article on InsideAthletics.com.au
Willis, who was celebrated in his native New Zealand as continuing the nation's proud miling history when he won gold in the Melbourne Cricket Ground on a night in 2006 remembered by most Australians forCraig Mottram's fall with 700m remaining, is looking forward to continuing the Trans-Tasman rivalry."I haven't raced in Australia for nearly four years, so it will be great to come back and try and let the Aussies know that their Trans-Tasman neighbor can still show them a thing or two on the track," said Willis.
"It would be great to run a fast time somewhere in the 3:33 to 3:36 range, but most importantly for me will be to try to win the race.”
The time is certainly not out of question for Willis is in good form, having overcome a year of injuries to recently win the mile at the Boston Indoor Games in 3:55.27 and then setting a New Zealand indoor record of 3:35.80 in Birmingham, UK on the weekend. The 1500m in Melbourne will serve as preparation for a personal best attempt in the 800m, which Willis hopes to double in later in the year at the Commonwealth Games, in March at the International Track Meet in Christchurch.
"I'm gearing up for a fast 800m in New Zealand on March 18th," he said.
By Tim McGrath
Click here to read the full article on InsideAthletics.com.au