Track two bounce back from brink

LESS than a week ago, Patrick Tiernan’s world championships looked over.

Two months ago Genevieve LaCaze thought her season was over.

Then in the space of an hour the two Australian distance runners defied predictions to progress to world championships finals.

Tiernan produced a Lazarus- type resurrection given on the opening night of the championships he tailed off in the 10,000m final, appearing disoriented during the final stages as he was lapped.

Five days later he turned up in the heats of the 5000m and ran brilliantly, finishing fourth to gain automatic entry into the final.

Tiernan had no explanation for his 10,000m failure, admitting he was embarrassed by the performance.

“I’ve never personally had a result like that in the 10k,” he said.

“I’m still trying to figure out what happened.”

LaCaze, a finalist in the 3000m steeplechase and 5000m in Rio, has had a host of injury issues this year.

“Worlds was not even a possibility two months ago – I thought I was going home,” LaCaze said.

“I thought if I got to a final, I will run so free and relaxed so if that ( heat) was calm then I will be so calm in the final.”