Posted: March 21, 2006

Athletics: Charles Allen just misses medal in 110-metre hurdles at Commonwealth Games

March 21st 2006, MELBOURNE - Charles Allen of Brampton, Ont., was fourth in the men's 110-metre hurdles which was Canada's top result in Tuesday's track and field finals at the Commonwealth Games.

Maurice Wignall of Jamaica was the winner in 13.26, Chris Baillie of Scotland second in 13.61 and Andrew Turner of England third in 13.62. Allen posted a time of 13.66. Jared MacLeod of Winnipeg was eighth in 13.80

The 28-year-old Allen was third most of the race but struggled with his last hurdle.

"I think I was pushing a little too hard and kind of floated the last hurdle a little bit and didn't get back on the ground to sprint to the finish line,'' said Allen, sixth at the 2004 Olympics in a Canadian record 13.23. He missed the world championships last year and has struggled with injuries heading into the Melbourne Games.

"It was really close but those guys were better today.''

Three Canadians were in the women's 1,500 final won by Lisa Dobriskey of England in 4:06.21. Carmen Douma-Hussar of Cambridge, Ont., was fifth in 4:07.48, Malindi Elmore of Calgary eighth in 4:09.06 and Hilary Stellingwerff 11th in 4:11.48.

Douma-Hussar was third heading into the final lap. ''I'm a little disappointed,'' she said. "On the last lap I had a good position and everybody started moving. I thought I was feeling good but they just beat me to the line. The three of us (Canadians) were confident and ready to run. The calibre was pretty even so we knew it was wide open for a medal.''

Elmore wanted a better result: "We have to keep everything in perspective,'' she said. "You want to go out and do your best and I believe I did. At the start I was patient and relaxed and I wanted to build to a strong finish. I think all the countries are struggling to gain peak form at this time of year but we've known for months the date on which this race would be held. But certainly being in such good shape now really augurs well for the summer.''

Stellingwerff was competing at her first major Games. "I'm actually pretty disappointed I thought I would be able to run better and challenge for a medal,'' she said. I got boxed in the last lap and when there were breaks I wasn't in a good position to go. It's something to take away and learn from.''

In the women's 10,000, Lucy Mangui Kabuu led Kenya to a 1-2 finish clocking 31:29.66. Tara Quinn-Smith of Waterdown, Ont., was eighth in 33:15.50.

In men's discus qualifying, Jason Tunks of London, Ont., heads to Wednesday's final ranked number one after posting a 64.07 metre toss on his first throw. Dariusz Slowick of Kamloops, B.C., qualified second in his heat and third overall at 60.55.

In the women's wheelchair 800-metre race qualifying Chantal Petitclerc of Montreal posted the fastest time at 1:56.12 while Diane Roy of Sherbrooke, Que., won the other heat with the third best time of the day in 1:57.72. Tracey Ferguson of Toronto qualified eighth in 2:06.08. The final is Friday

In the women's heptathlon Jessica Zelinka of Calgary is off to a great start standing third after four of seven events. She posted the best result in the opening 100 hurdles with a personal best 13.08 seconds and was also first in the shot put at 14.18 metres. She was also fourth overall in the 200 metres in a personal best 24.03 and sixth in high jump. The heptathlon concludes Wednesday.

Also scheduled to compete on Wednesday are Mark Boswell of Brampton, Ont., in the men's high jump final; Jacques Martin of Sherbrooke, Que., in the men's wheelchair discus; Pierre Browne of Mississauga, Ont., Anson Henry of Pickering, Ont., and Hank Palmer of Montreal in the men's 200; Erica Broomfield of Scarborough, Ont., in the women's 200; Tawa Dortch of Edmonton in the women's 400 hurdles; Diane Cummins of Victoria, Aimee Teteris of Vancouver and Kate Vermeulen of Victoria in the women's 800; and David Gill of Lac-St-Jean, Que., Gary Reed of Victoria and Achraf Tadili of Montreal in the men's 800.

Source: Athletics Canada.

Athletics Canada is the national sport governing body for the sport of track and field including cross-country running and road running.

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