News

One Last Tune-Up Race Before The Games Begin

March 9th, 2006- Telstra Melbourne Track Classic (IAAF Permit)
Melbourne, Australia

After arriving in Melbourne a week ago, Hilary Stellingwerff participated in the first meet of the IAAF Worlds Athletics Tour, namely the Telstra Melbourne Track Classic, as a final pre games tune-up. All of the fields for this event were loaded with Commonwealth Games bound athletes, and indeed Stellingwerff’s 1500m race featured 10 women who all will be competing in the upcoming games.

“It was a good race to hopefully prepare me for how the qualifying heats will maybe go in the games, as the early pace was easy and there was lots of jostling for position before the ‘real’ running began,” noted Stellingwerff. “We went out in around 2:15 or 16 through 800m, and I think Carmen (Douma-Hussar) almost went down in front of me with 400m to go since we were so bunched up.”

In the end, Stellingwerff ended up 6th overall in a time of 4:13.13, but there was a mere 3 second difference between 1st place and 7th place. “At this level, where all of your competitors are so strong, tactics play such an important part in whether you will advance to the finals or not. Overall I’m content with the race, but know there is more in the tank and am very much looking forward to getting on the big track in the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground).”

Overall Canadian's faired well in the 1500m event, with Carmen Douma-Hussar winning and Courtney Babcock finishing third.

Official Result Women - 1500 Metres
Pos Athlete Nat Mark
1 Douma-Hussar Carmen CAN 4:10.65
2 Walsham Suzy AUS 4:10.87
3 Babcock Courtney CAN 4:11.00
4 Phalula Lebogang RSA 4:12.34
5 Ovens Hayley GBR 4:12.81
6 Stellingwerff Hilary CAN 4:13.13
7 Dobriskey Lisa GBR 4:13.43
8 Elmore Malindi CAN 4:16.16
9 Phalula Dina Lebo RSA 4:19.55
10 Breytenbach Marlene RSA 4:21.23

Canadian Carmen Douma-Hussar (#128) winning the Telstra Melbourne Track Classic (Getty Images, 2006)