The former 5000 metres world record holder Dick Quax says Adrian Blincoe's new national record set in Belgium is an encouraging sign for the New Zealand Olympic track team.
Quax set the previous New Zealand record in Stockholm 31 years ago when he ran a world record 13 minutes 12.87 seconds.
Blincoe ran 13 minutes 10.9 seconds, taking seven seconds off his previous personal best.
Quax says that's a big chunk and it shows Blincoe's probably capable of going faster given the right conditions, and is peaking at the right time.
Blincoe finished midfield -- seven seconds behind the Moroccan winner.
