Road to London: 1500m Men and Women

MEN 1500M

Two of Australia’s biggest young stars will compete this season for a place in the Australian Olympic team for London. This is going to be a compelling season for the men’s 1500m. Ryan Gregson, Australian National 1500m record holder  (3.31.06) and Jeff Riseley (3.32.93) both have blazing speed, with Riseley having the Olympic experience and Gregson who was ranked 5th in the world for 2010 the tender age of 2. Riseley has already an Olympic A qualifier in his pocket and Gregson a B qualifier which were both run in Europe last season.

Other likely contenders for a slot on the Australian team include 2006 Commonwealth games bronze medalist Mark Fountain (3.33.68), 2009 World Championship representative Jeremy Roff (3.34.39), US based runner Craig Huffer (3.36.35), Matt Gibney (3.38.34) and never count out the likes of Nick Toohey, Ryan Foster, Lachlan Chisholm, Brad Woods and James Kaan. 

Nick Willis carried on New Zealand's grand 1500m success at Olympic Games at Beijing in 2008 by earning the silver medal, what more can this 3.31.79 runner do coming into London next year? 

Other New Zealand up and comers to keep an eye on this 2011/2012 season is Hayden McLaren, 2011 World university games representatives Malcolm Hicks and Hamish Carson and Kenyan based runner Zane Robertson.

WOMEN 1500M

What Zoe Buckman has accomplished in the last 12 months makes her a strong favourite along side 2011 World Championship semi finalist Kaila McKnight (4.05.65) to make the Australian Team for London.  Fresh out of college Buckman has been able to claim a national title in 2011, run an Olympic A qualifier  (4.05.06) and jump to 3rd spot on the all-time Australian list for the 1500m. A crop of former Olympians and Australian representatives will be also looking for redemption in this event this coming season, including Lisa Corrigan (4.05.25), Georgie Clarke (4.06.50), Bridey Delaney (4.10.32) and young developing athlete Anna Laman (4.13.62) who will be also chasing the World Junior qualifier. 

After a record breaking season in 2010 and breaking the New Zealand 1500m national record (4. 04.82) in 2011, Nikki  Hamblin is one New Zealander who is looking toward selection for the upcoming Olympics. If selected for London this will mark the first Olympic Games for this Commonwealth games 1500m and 800 silver medalist.