KEY POINTS:
Runner Kimberley Smith earned a huge pre-Olympic confidence boost yesterday when she slashed her 10,000m New Zealand record by an incredible 45s.
She recorded 30m 35.54s at a meeting at Stanford University, destroying the mark she set at the same meeting a year ago. It is also 2s better than Benita Johnson's 2003 Oceania record.
Smith, 26, was pipped by American Shalane Flanagan whose 30m 34.49s was a new American record. Both times were faster than any since 2006.
Athletics NZ high performance manager Kevin Ankrom said the Stanford track is known for producing fast times. But even taking that into account, Smith's run was remarkable.
"When you better your time by 45s, that is doing it; that is a very good run," said Ankrom. "If Kimberley can stay healthy and continue to train, this really puts her in a good position for the Olympics."
The US-based, Papakura-bred athlete rang her mother, Jeanette, excited about the race. "She's a girl of few words but she is really thrilled."
The result follows two other NZ record runs this year, and a fifth in the 10,000m at last year's world championships. She has qualified for the 10,000m and 5000m for Beijing.
