Catharine Lund has produced the run of her career to qualify for the world stage.
Lund obliterated her 5000m personal best by 19sec when she finished the women’s open event in 16min 19sec at the winter track and field series in Palmerston North at the weekend.
The Ariki runner broke her Otago under-20 record in the process and qualified for the 5000m at the world under-20 championships in Lima, Peru, next month.
It is a tough race to qualify for as only 18 spots are available for the straight final, making Lund’s accomplishment even more impressive.
The 19-year-old had a subdued start to the Palmerston North race, but gained pace as the race went on and finished strongly with a 74sec penultimate lap, going 5sec under the target pace.
It is the second event Lund for which has qualified at the world championships.
Lund, who is the national under-20 5000m and cross-country champion, had already been selected for the women’s 3000m steeplechase after going under the entry time with her run of 10min 35.57sec in Dunedin in February.
She has already impressed internationally this season when she finished 35th at the under-20 women’s 6km event in 21min 53sec at the world cross-country championships in Belgrade, Serbia, in March.
The Dunedin runner combined with fellow Dunedin runner Zara Geddes, Boh Ritchie — who will also compete at the world championships, in the 800m — Ava Sutherland and Poppy Martin to finish 11th in the team event.
