Craig Mottram

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Craig Mottram is an Australian long distance and middle distance runner.

Born on 18 June 1980 in Frankston, Victoria, Mottram specialises in the 5000 Metres event. He went to school at the world-renowned Geelong Grammar School, perhaps the most prestigious in Australia.^{[citation needed]} It is here that he found his niche in running and was captain of the school team in his year.

On 14 August 2005, Mottram reached a career highlight, coming third in the 5000 metres event at the 2005 World Championships in Athletics in Helsinki, running the event in 12 minutes, 58 seconds. He was the first non-African to medal in that event since 1987.

On 9 March 2006 in Melbourne, in his final warmup event before the Commonwealth Games, Mottram took ten seconds off the 12-year-old Australian record for the 2000 metres. This distance, not often run at IAAF events, was scheduled specifically to suit Mottram's Games preparation.

On 20 March 2006 at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Mottram came second in the 5000 metres event with a time of 12 minutes, 58.19 seconds, beaten narrowly by Kenyan runner Augustine Choge.^[1] This race was only the second time, that this event was won in under 13 minutes at a championship competition.( First one being 2003 World Athletics Championships.^[2] Mottram also ran in the 1500 metre event in Melbourne on 25 March 2006, entering the competition as favourite to win. Having worked his way into third position during the race, Mottram was accidentally tripped at the 800 metre mark when English athlete Andrew Baddeley fell behind him, clipping Mottram's heel. Mottram lost 20 metres on the field due to the incident and finished in ninth position, to his and his supporters' obvious disappointment.^[3]

He is a supporter of Coca Cola Championship football club Sunderland AFC and will run in the Great North Run 2006 wearing a Sunderland top.

[edit] Personal Best Times

1500 metres 3:33.97
Mile 3:48.98 (Oceanic Record)
2000 metres 4:50.76 (Oceanic Record)
3000 metres 7:32.19 (Oceanic Record)
2 miles 8:11.27 (Oceanic Record)
5000 metres 12:55.76 (Oceanic Record)
10,000 metres 27:50.55
10 km (road) 27:54 (Oceanic Record)

[edit] References

^ Ellen Whinnett and Shelley Hodgson. "Craig Mottram's brave run", Herald Sun, 2006-03-21.
^ Nick Bowen. "Craig Mottram's silver medal the best of the Games", Crikey.com.au, 2006-03-21.
^ Luke Pentony. "That's racing", ABC News, 2006-03-26.