Athletics: Aish outrun but still improves

New Zealand's Michael Aish finished seventh in the Commonwealth Games 10,000-metres at the MCG last night - a one-place improvement on his effort at Manchester four years ago.

Aish dropped off the pace less than 1500m into the race as a leading quartet of African runners powered away, but battled on to finish in 29m 05.55s.

The US-based runner was caught by the leaders on their frantic last 200m dash to the line.

Ugandan Boniface Kiprop won gold in 27m 50.99s. Kenyan Geoffrey Kipngeno was second in 27m 51.16s while Fabian Joseph Naasi (27m 51.99s) of Tanzania completed the podium.

Once the pacemakers skipped clear Aish only had England's Gavin Thompson and Tanzania's Dickson Mkami Marwa for company before the Tanzanian dropped out with 4000m to travel.

Aish comfortably beat Thompson home by 36s.

Meanwhile, New Zealand's Stuart Farquhar finished a disappointing seventh in last night's Commonwealth Games javelin competition.

Rated among the pre-competition favourites, Farquhar's best throw of 77.40m came at his sixth and final attempt. It was well short of his personal and season's best of 81.70m.

He finished 2.70m behind the winner, England's Nicholas Nieland whose 80.10m effort came in the first throw of the competition.

It was hoped Waikato-raised Farquhar would take a medal in the tradition of Mike O'Rourke and Gavin Lovegrove.

- NZPA