Athletics: Aish qualifies for world champs

Michael Aish easily qualified for the world athletic championships in Osaka next August after running a time of two hours 13 minutes 42 seconds in the Fukuoka marathon in Japan yesterday.

Aish, 30, finished 13th and reduced his personal best time from 2hr 17min 20sec set in the Duluth marathon in June 2005.

Scott Winton of Auckland and Matt Dravitzki from Wellington were both outside their best times for the marathon, Winton finishing 16th in 2hr 19min 33sec and Dravitzki one place later in 2hr 19min 37sec.

Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia won in 2hr 06min 52sec.

- NZPA