Wallace pips Dixon to the post in Dunedin

Harry Dixon's bid for his fourth national title came up just short at Saturday's Athletics New Zealand 19 and under 3000m championships at the Caledonian Track in Dunedin.

The Athletics Nelson runner clung to the pack in a slow, tactical race until Wellington's Alex Wallace sprinted into the lead with 600 metres remaining.

Dixon and Otago's Daniel Balchin chased Wallace on the last lap with Dixon passing Balchin on the final turn and reeling in Wallace in the home stretch.

"I was gaining on him," Dixon said. "I think he must have heard me coming and picked it up enough to hold me off." Wallace crossed the finish line in 8min 38sec.

Dixon was second in 8min 38.73sec, and Balchin was third in 8min 39.61sec.

Dixon has national titles in the 2008 New Zealand track and field M19 5000m, the 2008 New Zealand secondary schools cross country, and the 2008 New Zealand secondary schools athletics senior 3000m.

In the women's 3000m, Athletics Nelson's Josie Wilcox was tripped and fell 40 metres into the race.

She recovered to win the bronze medal but ran much of the race alone and finished in 10min 26.21sec.

Otago's Rebekah Greene won the race in 9min 30.61sec, and Lydia O'Donnell was second in 9min 51.91sec.

- © Fairfax NZ News