Athletics: Barrett finishes eighth

New Zealand's world athletics campaign ended last night on an encouraging note with Craig Barrett taking eighth place in the 50km walk.

Barrett's performance was easily the best of a flat championship for the New Zealand contingent. In sweltering 35degree heat, he clocked 3h 54min38s.

Barrett had to watch himself over the closing stages as he had two warning cards on him for lifting a foot incorrectly. A third would have had him out of the race.

Barrett was 13th at the world championships two years ago.

Otago sprinter Chris Donaldson's involvement in the world athletics championships in Seville ended early yesterday when he finished last in his 200m quarter-final.

The New Zealand record holder finished eighth in the third heat in a time of 20.96sec - well outside his personal best of 20.42.