9 Jul 2011

Willis finishes fourth in Paris

12:39 pm on 9 July 2011

The New Zealand runner Nick Willis has finished 4th in the 1500 metre final at the Paris Diamond League meeting in 3 minutes 33.22 seconds, his best time since 2006.

After running from the back of a big field, Willis stormed home over the last 200 metres but couldn't force his way into a top three placing.

The time is under the 3.35.00 A standard for the World Track & Field Champs in Korea in August and is also under the 3.35.50 standard for next year's London Olympic Games.

The time is just over a second outside his New Zealand Record of 3.32.17, set at the same meeting five years ago to the day.