Athletics: Aish ends New Zealand athletics campaign

7.45am

MANCHESTER - Distance runner Michael Aish completed New Zealand's Commonwealth Games athletics campaign at the City of Manchester Stadium on Wednesday, finishing the 5000m in 12th position in a record-setting field.

Aish, who earlier finished eighth in the 10,000m, was holding his own with an African-dominated field until the leading trio of Kenyans upped the lap-rate and he gradually slipped away in wet conditions.

Sammy Kipketer set a new Commonwealth record, winning the gold in 13 minutes 13.51 seconds, breaking the long standing mark of countryman Ben Jipcho, who ran the distance in 13min 14.30secs back at Christchurch in 1974.

Benjamin Limo was second and Willy Kiptoo Kirui ensured a clean sweep for the Kenyans.

Three of the top five finishers achieved personal bests.

Aish, who was here to concentrate on the 10,000m, was outside his personal best, timing 13min 45.87secs.

"He was lapping pretty well at 64 and 65 seconds (per lap) but when they they put the hammer down and put in a 62 he was found wanting a bit," athletics team manager Ken Simpson said.

"He was here for the 10,000m so he's happy to do the double."

Simpson said he was rapt with the team's overall performance.

"It's twice the medal haul from Kuala Lumpur so we're very pleased. They've done us proud overall."

The athletics team won four medals -- a gold to discus thrower Beatrice Faumuina plus silver's to shotputter Valerie Adams, 50km road walker Craig Barrett and hammerthrower Phil Jensen.

The performances of the New Zealanders here will boost their chances of selection for the Oceania team to represent the region at the World Cup in Madrid on September 21-22.

The squad will be named tomorrow.

Men's 1500m Final: 1 Mike East (Eng) 3 minutes 37.35 seconds, 2 William Chirchir (Ken) 3min 37.70sec, 3 Youcef Abdi (Aus) 3min 37.77sec, 4 Anthony Whiteman (Eng) 3min 38.04sec, 5 Graham Hood (Can) 3min 38.08sec, 6 Julius Achon (Uga) 3min 38.33sec, 7 Kevin Sullivan (Can) 3min 40.95sec, 8 Tom Mayo (Eng) 3min 41.70sec, 9 David Kiplak (Ken) 3min 42.87sec, 10 Francis Munthali (Maw) 3min 43.50sec, 11 Jonathan Mccallum (Sco) 3min 48.02sec, 12 Colm Mclean (Nir) 3min 51.90sec.

- NZPA

Full coverage:
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