As a totally biased SKAAC writer, I found myself in awe of what Luke Mathews achieved at about 5:40am Melbourne time this morning, becoming SKAAC’s first ever Heat Winner in a World Championships beating a HIGH quality field in running 3:38.19 to win Heat 3.
Getting a great start, and settling 4th, Luke put himself in a great position to strike when the inevitable burst came from behind. When that burst came, Luke was not only able to move forward into 3rd spot with 200 to run, but hold his rail position and surge to the line for a famous win and a super confidence lift ahead of the semi-final on Saturday.
Luke, you have done yourself, your family and your club proud today. Rest up and take ’em down in the semi!!

With many following the qualification progress of Luke, Sam & Peter in quite a bit of detail, most probably already know that they will represent Australia at the London World Championships in the 1500m, 5000m & 800m respectively.
But, let’s stop for a moment….This is a HUGE achievement.
The standards got tighter from Rio and the lads were able to back-up so magnificently to earn another Australian singlet.
A big congratulations to their coaches Nic Bideau and Justin Rinaldi who have done a power of work to get them to this point.
Let’s all enjoy watching their progress, as this is a treat for all of SKAAC to enjoy.
Go fast lads – on to London – Go SKAAC.

Sam McEntee has smashed his own 3000m Club Record and PB in the London Grand Prix meet running 7:41.03. Racing in a loaded field containing Mo Farah Sam has showed that the training completed since qualifying for the 5000m at the upcoming London World Championships has gone VERY well. In a tight race where Sam was only 3.5 seconds from 3rd place, it shows how close track distance running is at present.

Joseph Deng has been having a great old time in Europe, this time smashing his 800m PB set half-a-week ago to run 1:46.51 to be the 3rd Fastest U20 Australian, and slip inside the Top 6 Under 20 times in the world this year. Joseph’s next run will be in Ninove alongside fellow SKAAC members, Peter Bol, Brad Mathas and Steve Knuckey (who had his best run for the European Summer at the British Milers Club meet in Loughborough UK).

Adam Pyke has been racing in brilliant form whilst in Europe preparing for the 1500m at the World University Games in August. Racing on Sunday night in the Brussels Grand Prix of Athletics, Adam was right in the race based on times against a strong field containing Rio Olympic 1500m medallist Nick Willis, going through at the bell in 2:39.1, Adam was clipped from behind with 300m to go, cruelling his chance at a possible PB run. Thankfully, Adam was able to pick himself up to cross the line with some grazes and has pulled up OK. Adam faces the starter in Italy in Lignano on Wednesday night, then again on Sunday in Padova.

SKAAC currently boast 5-out-of-the-top-6 Australian 800m times for 2017, with still plenty of big races to come. Don’t believe me, well see below!!

Go SKAAC

Amazing symmetry thrown up by Joseph Deng in a sensational 800m PB run in Szekesfehervar Hungary on 3 July in stopping the clock at 1:47.06. A time run twice by Simon Lewin (Finland in again in Australia) and for many many years the SKAAC Club Record. Joseph’s race contained no less than the world record holder David Rudisha!!

Joseph has backed up a super run on the weekend as pacemaker (400m of 800m) for Peter Bol’s successful London World Championships qualifying time and new PB of 1:45.21.

Joseph now finds himself sitting alongside SKAAC Legend and Life Member Simon Lewin and Atlanta Olympian Paul Cleary in on the Australian All-Time list.

An amazing week for Joseph, Peter, JR and the SKAAC Community.

Keep up the good work – all at SKAAC are right behind all of our athletes that are overseas at the moment, doing so well.

Go SKAAC.

Adam Pyke made it 2-from-2 with a strong win in 1500m A-race the British Milers Club Meet in 3:42.44 held in Watford UK.

Luke Mathews has claimed his 3rd club record in the month of June with a new mark set over 1000m in a sensational meet in Ostrava CZE, stopping the clock at 2:19.57. Must have been a good night of racing in Ostrava with Wade Van Niekirk breaking the 300m World Record!!