Athletics: Best time still short

Adrian Blincoe missed qualifying for the Helsinki world championships by 0.13s after running a personal best 1500m in Heusden-Zolder, Belgium.

The United States-based Aucklander finished second in 3m 36.33s at the KBC night of athletics meeting. With Nick Willis selected for the 1500m, Blincoe needed to secure an A qualifying time to gain a berth in Helsinki.

Jason Stewart looks to have clinched a place in the 800m at Helsinki after a personal best 1m 46.19s at the KBC meeting. The B standard is 1m 46.60s and as there is yet no selection in the 800m, Stewart, from Napier, is likely to be named.

In Laapenrenta, Finland, three days earlier, Stewart was third in 1m 46.60s in the 800m, with Kimberley Smith second in the 3000m in 8m 50.09s.

National 1500m champion Paul Hamblyn ran a personal best 3m 38.07s to win the 1500m B final in Belgium.

- NZPA