Willis’ winning summer continues
Nick Willis christened Newtown’s newly laid running track last night by clocking the fastest 3000m at the New Zealand Championships for 15 years.
The Wellingtonian was in complete control as he headed off defending national champion Malcolm Hicks and Hugo Beamish in the final event of the Capital Classic.
Willis’ time of 7min 57.63sec was the best since Jonathan Wyatt won the event in 1998, and no sluggish effort considering the final kilometre was covered in a rapid 2:31.
But his appearance in his home town was less about the clock than the occasion, and the 34-strong field said much about the popularity of the Beijing Olympic silver medallist.
‘‘They asked me if I wanted two races, but I said no. How often do you get the chance to run with 33 other guys in your home town? It was more exciting this way for the runners and the spectators,’’ Willis said after crossing the finish line a few strides ahead of Hicks.
It was way off Willis’ best for the 3000m, a blistering 7:45.97 back in 2005. The challenge of 2011 champion and fellow Wellingtonian Hamish Carson never eventuated as he trailed back to finish 11th.
However, it was still a fitting way to open a track that was given its official warrant of fitness earlier in the day.
Willis led the race early before dropping back for the middle laps and then bursting clear with about 300m to go.
‘‘I figured I’d probably lead the last few laps, so if that’s the case, I don’t want to lead the middle ones as well. Then I can have a bit of a psychological rest, then get back at it again [for the finish],’’ he explained.
‘‘It’s still kind of a mental [block], the leading thing. I still haven’t conquered it. That’s one of my weaknesses. I’ll work on the things I suppose I enjoy the most.’’
This includes racing in New Zealand. Willis has bucked his longdistance training regime to run the mile in Whanganui and the 3000m in Wellington, and next week a mile on grass in Christchurch.
‘‘I want to race when I’m home. It’s silly being here and not entering some races,’’ he said.
He is also looking forward to the arrival of his first child, due in June, but will first head down to Wanaka to continue his training regime.
In other notable results, TeRina Keenan threw 55.98m with her first throw to win the women’s discus. Joseph Millar, of Tauranga, continued his winning ways in the men’s 100m in a time of 10.61sec.
Christchurch Old Boys’ Kelsey Berryman won the women’s 100m in 12.21sec, while Emma Sutherland won the high jump with a best of 1.77m.