Nick Symmonds hits 'A' Standard, leads OTC Elite trio to solid finish in Australia

Jemma Simpson wins 1,500

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA –– Running behind the world’s best half-miler (ever), the OTC Elite trio of Nick Symmonds, Lachlan Renshaw and Tyler Mulder went 2, 3, 4 with impressive times for early March at the IAAF Melbourne Track Classic on Wednesday at Olympic Park.

World-record holder David Rudisha (Kenya) ran away with the men’s 800 on a cool, still night—clocking the world’s fastest time this year and the second fastest time ever run on Australian soil: 1 minute, 43.88 seconds.

Symmonds was close behind, kicking through the line in 1:45.09, which was below the IAAF World Championships ‘A’ Standard of 1:45.40 and was easily the fastest time he’s ever run in the spring, as well as being his fastest opening 800 ever.

Just behind Symmonds was Renshaw, who just missed the ‘A’ Standard with a mark of 1:45.66—a personal best in front of the Australian runner’s home crowd. Following the local favorite was the third OTC Elite runner in the race: Mulder, who finished in 1:45.73. That time was Mulder’s first under 1:46 and a PB of .6 seconds.

“To have Nick to do the (‘A’ Standard) his first time out, is just nice to have in the bag. That was great,” OTC Elite head coach Mark Rowland said from Eugene. “I think with Lachy (Renshaw) and Tyler (Mulder) it was great to set PBs, but there was frustration to just miss out (on the standard). But personally, I think both are capable of running it with a little more preparation.”

Earlier in the evening, OTC Elite’s Jemma Simpson won the women’s 1,500 meters in an impressive early-season time of 4:08.49.

“Jemma hasn’t raced yet, so opening with a 4:08 is encouraging,” Rowland said. “Now we’ll drop back and regroup so we can prepare correctly, as the season is quite long.”

Back in the US, two OTC Elite athletes will head to Seattle for the Husky Final Qualifier Indoor meet this Saturday. Geena Gall will be running the 800 and Stephen Pifer is set to compete in the mile.

Another group is set to make an appearance at the McKenzie Community Track and Field 16K relay in Blue River. Sally Kipyego, Kevin Chelimo, Julia Lucas, Nicole Blood, Bridget Franek, Ben Bruce and Seth Summerside will represent OTC Elite at the event, each running 8k legs of the 2-person relay. It begins at the Aaron and Marie Jones Community Field at 11 a.m., with all proceeds being used to support and maintain the track and field facility, operated by MCTF, a non-profit organization.