Mathews Steals the Show at the Briggs Athletics Classic

On track at the Briggs Athletics Classic, Ryan Gregson was convincing, bettering his own meet record to win the men’s 1500m in a time of 3:36.73 from rising middle distance star Luke Mathews (3:37.31). Paced through the first 800m by Ryan Foster, the Melbourne Track Club duo then battled it out in the closing stages, with Mathews passed by Gregson on the final bend.

Gregson’s result is a mere 0.73 seconds outside of the Rio 2016 standard, while Mathews improved his personal best by more than three seconds to add to his quick 1:46.35 run in the 800m at the Hunter Track Classic last month.

“I set the meet record here back in 2010 and went on to break the national record that year. I think I am in great shape. Full credit to Luke, he was the star of the show with his run for a personal best. Now it’s on to the 1500m in Melbourne in a couple of weeks,” Gregson said.

In other results from the Briggs Athletics Classic:

–       Lining up for the men’s 100m twice, Jack Hale (Tas) clocked 10.66 (w: -0.2) and 10.55 (w: -0.6) to win both his starts. He will start in the boy’s under 20 sprints at the Australian Junior Athletics Championships in Perth (WA).

–       Sam McEntee clocked 13:42.78 to win the men’s 5000m, as Stewart McSweyn ran 13:45.79 to lower the Tasmanian state record set in 1978.

–       The women’s 5000m was won by Genevieve LaCaze in a personal best time of 15:41.74, with Victoria Mitchell second in 15:53.61.

View the Results on the Athletics Australia webpage.