Express finish for Robertson in Marrakech

Isiah Kiplangat Koech of Kenya and Africa, right, ahead of Zane Robertson of New Zealand and Asia Pacific as he goes on to win the men’s 5000m race during the IAAF Continental Cup Day 1 at the Stade de Marrakech yesterday in Marrakech, Morocco. Zane Robertson’s excellent season ended in fine style with the Commonwealth Games bronze medallist enjoying the biggest payday of his athletics career.

Competing for the Asia-Pacific team, Robertson was an impressive second in the men’s 5000 metres on the first day of the Continental Cup in Marrakech, Morocco, yesterday.

Robertson’s time of 13 minutes 29.27 seconds was second only to favourite and Commonwealth Games silver medallist Isiah Koech’s 13:26.86 as the Kenyan took maximum points for Africa.

Robertson, an Africa-based Hamiltonian, pocketed US$15,000 (NZ$18,400) for his efforts to end a very good season.

Tom Walsh finished fourth in the shot put, throwing 20.70m, behind the 21.55m winning effort of world champion David Storl, competing for Europe.

Walsh led the contest after the opening round but Storl, Jamaican O’Dayne Richards – the man who beat Walsh for gold at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow – and the 2014 world leader Joe Kovacs all moved past the New Zealander in the second round.

Walsh responded with a longer third attempt to keep 2012 Olympic champion Tomas Majewski behind him.

The US$7000 prizemoney will be welcome reward in a satisfying first international season for the Timaru builder.

Nick Willis finished sixth in a 1500m race with a very slow early pace and a frantic finish.

The race was won by world indoor champion Ayanleh Souleiman in a slow 3:48.91 from team-mate Asbel Kiprop to give the African team maximum points. Willis finished just over a second behind the winner in 3:50.00.

Of the other New Zealanders competing in the final meeting of the season, Angie Smit finished seventh of eight runners in the 800m in 2:02.37, Mike Cochrane (400m hurdles) and Louise Jones (400m) were eighth and last in their races.

Kiwis competing on the second day today are Valerie Adams (shot put), Sarah Cowley (100m hurdles and high jump) and Willis (3000m).