2 November 2005

Australia`s best middle distance athletes will chase Commonwealth Games qualifiers during the Bank of Queensland Classic at The University of Queensland tomorrow (Thursday, November 3).

Former national champions Yousef Abdi (NSW) and Alastair Stevenson (Qld) headline a strong 1500m field including Jeremy Roff (NSW), Brisbane Olympian Peter Nowill and Victorians Mark Tucker and Lou Rowan.

Versatile distance star Scott Westcott, who has already clocked an A-qualifier for the marathon, will also test himself against the pace of a class field.

In the women`s 1500m Classic, in form Lisa Corrigan (AIS/ACT) and Ema Rilan (NSW) head a strong field targeting a qualifier of 4mins 11 seconds.

Australian University Games champion Nikki Molan (NSW) and Anna Worland (VIC) will also challenge the head of the field.

The Bank of Queensland Classic is the first of Athletics Australia`s National Series Meets and will also showcase the next crop of Queensland`s distance stars.

Leading school aged athletes will battle it out ahead of the National All-Schools competition.

The evening will also feature a hotly contested 800m match race between the best of University of Queensland and Sydney University.

School aged races commence from 6.30pm with the elite 1500m Classic races from 8.15pm sharp.

The Bank of Queensland Classic will be held at the UQ Athletics Centre, Sir William McGregor Dr, St Lucia. Event information can be found at www.uqsport.uq.edu.au

Further information contact: Rowan Foster (Ph: 07 3365 6034 or 0413 304 804).