Merewether athlete Rose Davies registered the third fastest time by an Australian woman in history at the Suzhou Diamond League, China, at the weekend.
The reigning national 5,000m champion proved her prowess over the distance, roaring to the finish line in China in 14:47.78 to hit the 14:52.00 Olympic qualifying standard for the Paris Games.
Racing under the 15-minute barrier for the second time in her career, the Tokyo Olympian leapfrogs distance veteran Eloise Wellings, carving 10 seconds off her personal best set at February’s Maurie Plant Meet – Melbourne.
“There was pace for the qualifier which was great,” said Davies, who finished 11th.
“I was actually on my own for a long way, however I could see some of the girls coming back to me over the last few laps, which also helped.
“While my result at the Maurie Plant Meet was where I felt like I was at with training last year, [tonight] is closer to where I want to be for this year.
“But, I’m not there yet.
“Although I’m not selected yet, it means that I can focus on best preparing myself to run well at the Olympics rather than chasing that qualifier.”
Three other Australians also toed the line, with national 10,000m record holder Lauren Ryan placing 13th in 14:58.69, Isobel Batt-Doyle claiming 16th in 15:06.84, while Diamond League debutant Maudie Skyring followed on in 17th place for a lifetime best of 15:12.44.
Adding to the 5,000m action, Morgan McDonald and Jack Rayner raced to a pair of top-10 finishes in seventh and ninth placings respectively, stopping the clock in times of 13:18.65 and 13:19.57 as Selemon Barega (ETH) led three men under the 13-minute barrier in 12:55.68.
The Diamond League series continues on 10 May in Doha, Qatar.
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