Shelley homes in on glory
THE two most recent Commonwealth Games on home soil both produced a marathon moment that went down in the annals of Australian sporting history.
Gold Coast runner Michael Shelley would love to make it three in a row tomorrow.
Back in 1982, it was Robert de Castella prevailing in an epic battle with Tanzanian duo Juma Ikangaa and Gidamis Shahanga.
MARATHON
And 12 years ago in Melbourne it was the late Kerryn McCann overtaking Kenyan Hellen Cherono on the final lap inside the MCG, prompting a mighty roar from the crowd that matched anything you’d hear at an AFL grand final.
Shelley, 34, was born the year after de Castella’s epic triumph in Brisbane.
“Hopefully there’s a large contingent of Australian supporters out there on Sunday cheering on all the Australians who are competing,” Shelley said. “That 1 or 2 per cent extra might help get a medal or a PB.”
Shelley’s career highlight was at the 2014 Glasgow Games, when he held off the Kenyan challenge to join the distinguished roll call of Australian Commonwealth marathon champions.