Craig Mottram smashes the Australian 10,000m record.
Craig Mottram triumphed at the World Athletics Tour meeting at Olympic Park on Thursday night, smashing Simon Doyle’s Australian 2,000m record which has stood unchallenged for more than 14 years.
A determined Mottram not only broke the Australian national record, but also added his name to the Oceania record book.
His time of 4 minutes 50.76 seconds was more than 10 seconds better than the 1992 record held by Doyle.
With Track and Field Athletics due to begin at the completely reconstructed Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on 19 March, Mottram is well placed to face the starting pistol with world champion Jamaican runner, Benjamin Limo, at his side.
Limo relegated Mottram to the bronze medal position in the world championships in Helsinki last year.
Speaking after his dominant performance last night, Mottram said that he could not wait for the Games, where he will compete in the 5000m against a trio of Kenyans including Limo and rising star Augustine Choge.
"Now the ball is in their court. They are going to have to drop me in the first 3 (kilometres) because they probably know they can't keep up with me over the last 2," he said.
Mottram has consistently stated that he is in his career best condition, and is looking forward to performing in front of his home crowd.
Athletics competition begins at the MCG on Sunday 19 March, and continues until 25 March.
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