News

July 16, 2006- Feesten Flanders Cup Meeting- Gent, Belgium

HOT weather = HOT times, as Stellingwerff sets a 1500m PB in Gent

A hot weather spell has descended upon Western Europe, producing day-time averages over 30C. But, this hot spell has also produced great running conditions, as runners have been taking advantage of the warm weather to run great times; and Hilary Stellingwerff did just this in setting a new 1500m PB of 4:08.89 at the Feesten Flanders Cup meet in Gent, Belgium.

After a small delay, which sent many of the runners looking for any little bit of shade they could find, the gun fired and the South African rabbit took off in the lead. She towed the field through in 65.8, as Stellingwerff sat in 3rd place. But the pace lagged a little on the second lap as the field came through in 2:13.4, and Stellingwerff immediately jumped on the pace from the front.

“I was not so concerned about necessarily winning the race, but wanted to make sure that the pace was honest so that we all could go for a fast time. So when I heard 2:13, I immediately went to the front and pushed the pace. Since there was no wind, leading from the front didn’t really cost me any extra energy anyways,” said Stellingwerff immediately afterwards.

As Stellingwerff stretched out the field, the only other runner to really make a commitment to try and go with her was fellow Canadian and Team New Balance athlete Megan Metcalfe. With 300m to go, Stellingwerff had about 2 meter lead on Metcalfe and the rest of the field and just slowly increased that lead to the finish to take the win in a new PB time of 4:08.89, a scant 0.05 seconds faster than her old PB.

“Although it might have almost been a bit too warm, I felt very comfortable at the meet. With so many Canadians and American runners that I know there, along with my family who are currently visiting from Canada, it almost felt like one of those twilight meets where you almost know everyone,” commented Stellingwerff after the race. “I think there were at least 25 Canadian runners at the meet, of which about 4 or 5 of them are from my home club ‘Speed River’ from Guelph, Ontario. Although I have also developed some great friendships with runners here in Europe, it is always great to catch-up with old friends as well.”

Women’s 1500m ‘A’ Heat

1 STELLINGWERFF Hilary CAN 4:08.89
2 MARTINS Maria FRA 4:10.34
3 METIVIER Renee USA 4:10.85
4 GROOVE Andrea CAN 4:11.04
5 METCALFE Megan CAN 4:11.06
6 McGETTIGAN Roisin IRL 4:11.71
7 HERZOG Adrienne NED 4:13.48
8 RUDOLPH Amy USA 4:14.76
9 HOWARD Julia CAN 4:15.50
10 MESSNER Carrie USA 4:18.86

For full meet results click on the link below:
http://www.rcgent.be/nacht2006.htm