Posted: November 5, 2005

Athletics: Australian's On Track For Commonwealth Games

Australia's Sarah Jamieson tonight confirmed she is on track to secure a medal at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne next year. The current National 1500m champion beat home a world class field to claim her first Asics Bolt win.

Canberra based Michael Dent claimed his first Asics Bolt win out sprinting former track champion Peter Nowill who finished third here last year.

After injury ruled out his marathon aspirations Dent is now focussed on the 10km, his preferred distance and the Steeplechase.

With the addition of the Aussie Football Legends Triathlon to the Super Saturday of sport in Noosa the Asics Bolt was run at 6:30pm and consequently much cooler conditions than the athletes have become accustomed too.

The men's race was no surprise to lead group of six athletes make a break after completing the first lap of four. Crowd favourite Steve Moneghetti a former Bolt winner was among them along with defending champion Mark Tucker, marathon specialist's Lee Troop and Scott Westcott, former Australian track champions Alastair Stevenson and Nowill.

The cooler conditions saw the pace on from the start which was a telling factor in the second half of the 5km, especially for the marathon men.

In the final stages of the event it was evident it would come down to a final sprint and they didn't disappoint the huge crowd.

Dent just managing to breast the tape ahead of Nowill with Westcott holding out a fast finishing Collis Birmingham.

"I can't believe I won that, it's given me a real confidence boost and great idea of where I'm at with my form," said Dent.

Dent will compete in the Zatopek 10000m race early next month in the hope of achieving an A qualifying time and spot in the Commonwealth Games team.

The women's field was truly world class with Sydney Olympic 5000m silver medallist, Sonia O'Sullivan, last year's winner Eloise Welling, Australia's Commonwealth marathon champion Kerry McCann and 1500m Australian representative for the Commonwealth Games Sarah Jamieson.

The women got away to a very quick start in the early stages which may have been tactical from Jamieson to try and make an early break. After the first lap a small group remained with the rest of the field strung out.

The ensuing laps saw Jamieson, McCann and O'Sullivan break from the rest and with just one lap remaining it was just a matter of the medal colour for the trio.

In the end it was Jamieson's superior turn of speed that secured the win from McCann and O'Sullivan.

Jamieson has been training here in Noosa with a squad and running in the national park clocking up long, strong sessions daily.

For Jamieson it will be full steam ahead in preparation for Commonwealth Games which includes a four week altitude camp.

"I knew with 100m to go that I had Kerryn covered and really happy to come away with a win against such great talent."

Jamieson has only ever managed a third place at the Asics Bolt previously.

Results

Male
1.   Martin Dent, Macquarie:14:04
2.   Peter Nowill, Kurwongbah:14:05
3.   Scott Westcott, Merewether:14:09
4.   Collis Birmingham, Ballarat:14:10
5.   Mark Tucker, Newcomb:14:12

Female
1.   Sarah Jamieson,Moonee Ponds:15:51
2.   Kerryn McCann, Coledale:15:56
3.   Sonia O'Sullivan, Richmond:16:10
4.   Suzy Walsham, Waverton:16:25
5.   Emily Morris, Randwick:16:34

For further information visit: www.usmevents.com.au.