Athletics: Barrett on course for Games

By MURRAY McKINNON

Craig Barrett of Hamilton comfortably qualified for the Manchester Commonwealth Games with his winning time of 3h 59m 30s in the New Zealand 50km road walking championship in Christchurch yesterday.

Competing in windy and cool conditions, he was well under the standard of 4h 4m set for selection.

Barrett, who had all but won the 50km road walk gold medal at the Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games when he collapsed within striking distance of the finishing line, will be one of the favourites in Manchester next year.

Irish international Jamie Costin was second in 4h 2m 42s and qualified for the European championships in Munich next year.

Tony Sargisson, from North Harbour, aiming for the Commonwealth Games, was forced to withdraw at 37km.

Gabrielle Gorst of Hastings won the women's 15km title in 1h 16m 35s.

Gorst went on to complete 20km in 1h 42m 42s, just under three minutes outside the Games selection time.