Eloise Wellings has produced the best performance by an Australian distance runner at the world athletics championships, finishing 10th in the women’s 5000m in Beijing.
The 32-year-old from Cronulla was in a top class field racing against the leading African runners who set a cracking early pace in Sunday’s final, with Ethiopian Almaz Ayana breaking away later to claim a commanding victory in 14 minutes 26.83 seconds.
Senbere Teferi and 1500m champion Genzebe Dibaba completed a medal sweep for Ethiopia, with Kenyan runners filling the next four placings.
Wellings’ time of 15:09.62 was her quickest of 2015.
‘‘It was weird — it was a bit like running a Diamond League again,’’ said Wellings.
‘‘I’m happy with it, happy with 15:09.
‘‘That was the goal here, to get into the top 10, but I’m just a bit disappointed with my last lap.
‘‘You always try and get the girls who are running in front of you, but I am happy with the race.’’
Wellings is eyeing a berth in the Australian Olympic team for the Rio 2016 Games.
Wellings won the women’s female category of the 2015, 11 kilometre annual Sutherland2Surf run on Sunday, July 19.
She said before the race that competing in the Sutherland2Surf was an ideal build-up as part of her training for the world championships.