From Birmingham, to Birmingham

Patrick Tiernan (Qld) and Jordan Williamsz (Vic) have carried their London 2017 form to the IAAF Diamond League in Birmingham (GBR), with the middle-distance duo contending in the men’s 3000m and men’s mile respectively.

Lining up alongside winner Mo Farah (GBR, 7:38.64) as he farewelled the British Athletics competition circuit, Tiernan was among the lead pack for much of the race moving to 5th place in the closing stages to cross in a time of 7:46.99

Williamsz, a semi-finalist in the men’s 1500m at the IAAF World Championships, also contended strongly, posting a personal best of 3:56.89 in the men’s mile to place 6th behind victor Jake Wightman (GBR), who ran 3:54.92.

Ryan Gregson (Vic) joined Williamsz in the mile, running 4:00.52 to place 11th, while Genevieve LaCaze (Vic) stopped the clock at 8:53.48 to place 14th in the women’s 3000m.

In the women’s 100m, Sally Pearson (Qld) ran a season best of 11.38 (w: +0.8) as she continues her preparation for the IAAF Diamond League Final in Zurich (SUI) later this week.

“That was really good, I had a really good start but these girls are always going to be tough to beat. I had a lot of fun, I don’t normally get this chance,” Pearson said.

“I think this sets me up nicely for Zurich. It was nice to get the legs going and blow the cobwebs out before competing at the Diamond League Final.”

The field charge was led by Dani Stevens (NSW), with the IAAF World Championships silver medallist throwing 64.75m to place 4th in the women’s discus throw.

The event was won by world champion Sandra Perkovic (CRO) with a throw of 67.22m, with Dania Caballero (CUB, 65.24m) and Yaimi Perez (CUB, 65.11m) rounding out the top-three.

Competition in Birmingham (GBR) followed the Australian Half Marathon Championships on the Sunshine Coast (Qld) earlier in the day.

The men’s race was won by Collis Birmingham (Vic), with the two-time Olympian running 1:03:16 to edge out Chris Hamer (Vic, second, 1:04:09) and Mitchel Brown (Vic, third, 1:05:40).

Birmingham had hopes of clocking a time faster than Pat Carroll to become the fastest Australian half marathoner on Australian soil, but it wasn’t to be, as he confirmed his intention to keep the time in his sights at future races.

"It was tough out there. I never really got into the pace that I needed to," Birmingham told the Sunshine Coast Daily.

"When we turned around and were coming back there was a little bit of wind and it was pretty hard work but I'm happy with the effort.

"I knew it wasn't going to be easy so the outlook is maybe I'll have another crack at it some other time.

"I think it just shows how good the record is."

The women’s race was won by Linda Spencer (WA) in a time of 1:15:41 and she was joined on the dais by Stephanie Auston (NSW, 1:18:33) and Tennille Ellis (Qld, 1:19:45)