WEEKEND PREVIEW: BERLIN | A HAPPY HUNTING GROUND

BERLIN | A HAPPY HUNTING GROUND

Upon arriving at Berlin’s Olympiastadion for ISTAF on Sunday, Genevieve Gregson and Jessica Hull will be reminded of what is to come in 2021. The Olympic rings will hang high over their heads and inside awaits 74,244 seats.

With Olympic dreams and rumbling crowds on hold for now, both Gregson and Hull will be looking to build on their respective European campaigns in a stadium they are well acquainted with.

2019’s instalment of the ISTAF witnessed Gregson run a swift personal best of 6:09.48 over the 2000m Steeplechase, whilst Hull dismantled her 5000m best by over 34-seconds in a breakthrough run, clocking 15:00.32.

After one lap around the sun and countless laps around the track, the Australian duo return to Berlin in 2020 to repeat the dose.

With Gregson set to contest the 3000m Steeplechase and Hull ready to tackle a slick 1500m field, the pair are not only united by their nationality, but so too a capacity to mix it with the very best on the world stage.

Women’s 3000m Steeplechase:

If 2020 was an athletic event there is a fair chance it would be the steeplechase, with periods of momentum followed by inevitable challenges of varying degrees.

For this reason it’s no surprise that Genevieve Gregson has thrived.

After numerous appearances this year over distances ranging from 1500m-10,000m, Gregson finally gets her one and only opportunity in her pet event.

“I always love to mix up events for race experience and training effect but the steeplechase is definitely my favourite,” she said.

“It’s a mix of anticipation, excitement and nerves of jumping barriers but that’s why I love it.”

The two-time Olympic finalist and national record holder has sprung into form of late, most recently clocking 15:24.33 over 5000m in Ostrava which was nearly 14-seconds faster than her performance just three weeks earlier in Monaco. 

Gregson’s history of strong performances in Berlin have left her optimistic for Sunday, suggesting that the “great conditions, fast track and the enthusiastic crowd” may be underlying factors of her success at the venue.

“There is something special about the old Berlin Olympic Stadium,” she said.

“I always seem to run well at this meet. That means I’m feeling positive about Sunday for my one shot at my pet event.”

Whilst Gregson may only be having one roll of the dice in the steeplechase, the odds are stacked in her favour after landing herself in a world-class field which features the world record holder in the event, Beatrice Chepkoech.

With a strong contingency of athletes in her goal time range, Gregson will be looking to capitalise on the opportunity to restamp her authority on the event and flex her versatility ahead of Tokyo.

“I’m so grateful to get this opportunity because for so long it looked like I wouldn’t even get one chance,” she said.

“I get nervous for every race but in a healthy, competitive way. I always put pressure on myself every race so this race is no different.”

Women’s 1500m:

Every time Jessica Hull laces up her spikes, Australians watch on with bated breath. Such has been the young talent’s rampant rise that not a race goes by where there is no mention of a national record falling.

With an Olympic berth in the 5000m locked away and after establishing herself as a serious contender in the event when running 14:43.80 to break Benita Willis’ national record, Hull has turned her attention to the 1500m, which she says is much more in her “comfort zone”.

Having run the 1500m in both Stockholm (4:02.65) and Gothenburg (4:05.47) this campaign, Hull assesses her performances as a pleasant surprise.

“I was really surprised to start off with a 4:02 in Stockholm as it usually takes me a couple of 1500’s to get going,” she said.

Boasting a personal best of 4:01.80 over the distance, there is no doubting her versatility.

“We see the importance of range on the world stage when it comes to being able to get through rounds and close races in championships so it’s definitely something I’m working on growing,” she said.

Sunday’s 1500m in Berlin is set to be a simulation of a championship race, featuring many of the form runners from around the world.

Laura Muir and Sofia Ennaoui headline the field as two women who have broken the four-minute barrier this season, along with a host of chances in pursuit of the elusive feat.

Hull is relishing not only the opportunity to run fast, but so too the chance to practice her race craft.

“I’m fit, I’m healthy and I’m excited for a racing opportunity that will show us what I can do over a 1500m in an incredible field,” she said.

“I’m ready to compete and I think that’s the thing I needed to gain more experience in this year ahead of the Olympics.

“There’s a lot I can learn from all of the styles of racing that you experience in Europe.”

We wish the best of luck to both Genevieve and Jessica, and encourage you to cheer them on!

For full fields CLICK HERE and follow Athletics Australia socials for live streaming information.

By: Lachlan Moorhouse, Athletics Australia
Posted: 12 September 2020