Athletics: Smith smashes record, eyes Olympic medal

New Zealand runner Kimberley Smith has smashed her own New Zealand 10,000 metres record at a meet in California.

Smith has taken a massive 45 seconds off the old mark at the Payton Jordan Cardinal event in California, finishing second in 30min 35.54sec. It is the second fastest time in the world since 2006, with American Shalane Flanagan finishing first.

Smith said her coach thought it would be a good idea to do the race given her workouts have been going so well, and she traded the lead with Flanagan to get the most out of the race.

Smith ran faster than expected and is considered a medal contender at the Beijing Games.

A New Zealand woman has not had a medal on the track at the Olympics since Marise Chamberlain took the bronze medal in the 800 metres at Tokyo 1964.

Lorraine Moller was a bronze medal winner in the 1992 Barcelona marathon.

- NEWSTALK ZB