COMMONWEALTH GAMES
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WHILE CSU graduate Ben St Lawrence withdrew from men’s 5,000 metres event at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, he is looking forward to his pet event so much he is doing a rain dance.
Like many of Australia’s track and field team, St Lawrence is looking to Glasgow’s notoriously temperamental weather for an added edge when he lines up in the men’s 10,000 metres event on August 1.
And, curiously, he thinks a little bit of stormy weather may provide just that.
“None of us like wind and rain, but I think some of the other countries like it less than we do – the Kenyans hate it,” St Lawrence said.
St Lawrence had qualified to run both the middle distance events in Glasgow and had been looking forward to the 5,000m event to open his program.
He had clocked a season-best time of 13:25.68 in the men’s 5,000m in pristine conditions at the Glasgow Diamond League meeting at Hampden Park – the same venue that is hosting the Games track and field program.
However, he withdrew from that event at the Games and instead turned his focus to building on the good form he showed at that Diamond League meeting. He is hoping for worse weather as well.
“There was a bit of a breeze when I ran. But it’s not too bad. I’ve run in a lot worse conditions,” St Lawrence said.
“I’m hoping for rain and wind.
“It’s not something you can think about too much because it’s out of your control, but I might do a little rain dance before the race.”
Having previously represented Australia at both Olympic and Commonwealth Games, St Lawrence knows the value of good preparation and last week even underwent to a different kind of treatment.
“Shockwave therapy on the Achilles. Not the most enjoyable treatment unless you’re the guy wielding the weapon,” he tweeted.
Prior to leaving for Glasgow, St Lawrence said his goal was to finish with a top five placing, having finished seventh in the 10,000m event at the New Delhi Games four years ago.
The news that Olympic champion Mo Farah would not be competing due to illness will make that job a little easier for the Australian record holder.
“I have taken the tough decision to withdraw from the Commonwealth Games. The sickness I had two weeks ago was a big setback for me,” Farah said.
St Lawrence ran a time of 27 minutes, 37.55 seconds in Palo Alto in April last year to qualify for the 10,000m event at the Games, but his personal best is a 27:24.95.