Live Blog:1600 medley (Australian University Games)

Live Blog

1600 medley at the Australian University Games 2012

-Ladies and gentlemen, welcome. We’re here live at the Santos Stadium in Adelaide.  It’s good, sunny day with a strong headwind at 2m/s. There are more 500 supporters out here today, mostly Sydney University supporters. The stadium is nice and lively. We should have a good race today.

-The universities are now assembling there teams for the final event. They are taking their lanes. Monash University, Sunshine University, Sydney University with the biggest sporting contingent by far, are all lined up.

-The medley is quite different from other races. It consists of an 800m, a 400m, and two 200m races with a baton exchange in between.

-Patrick Fakeye, the Nigerian is the man to beat. He holds the season best and personal best of 10.3 seconds. Brendan Ho is right behind him with a personal best of 10.44. Next up is James Grimm with 10.5 seconds and Benjamin Hayward with 10.54 seconds. This should be a fiery finish in the last 200m. Kalada Cocodia, a new comer for Monash University will be covering the last 200. Will he upset the hierarchy this afternoon? It looks unlikely but who knows?

-The red tracks are ready to be run upon. The lanes are well demarcated and maintained so we should have no issues like the 4x100m yesterday.

-The runners are ready, baton in hand. The first 800 usually determines the race. Who will dominate the medium distance?

-The gun goes off and the runners follow suit. They are all pouring into lane one.

-Sydney is keeping the pace in the first 800m. Makwai Univesity is second but still far from Sydney. Third is Sunshine Univesity. Mokwai are looking to beat the record they hold but as it stands in the final 100m of the first 800m, they are not in a good position.

-The batons are exchanged for Sydney. A very good, controlled exchange between the runners. And he’s off, sprinting to retain the gap between him and the other universities.

-Sydney University moves into first. He is pulling away. There’s almost 20m between him and the pack. Mokwai University and Sunshine are in 2^nd and 3^rd respectively as they now run the 400m round.

-Everybody is cheering on their university. I can spot some pretty cheerleaders in the stands. What an epic sight.

-Sydney University arrive first to exchange the baton for the 200m. Sydney is in good form today. They have this in the bag just as long as their runners don’t fall or get disqualified for any reason. Mokwai and Sunshine are far behind battling it out for second and third. These high speed races often change the momentum but not today. Sydney is gone.

-The wind is getting harder now but the race is almost over. We’re in the final 200m and Sydney University are alone in this. Mokwai and Sunshine join in 7 seconds after. The other universities lag behind taking their time. They know there is no point.

-Sydney University finish first, breaking Mokwai University’s record time by 4 seconds. The new record is now 4:16, that is, 4 minutes, 16 seconds. What a race. Sunshine University take third for the second year running. Monash University finish 7^th in case you were wondering.

-That’s all for today, See you again soon.