26 Jan 2014

Nick Willis wins 800m at Capital Classic

6:50 pm on 26 January 2014

Nick Willis cruised to victory in the men's 800 metres at the Capital Classic in Wellington but only after a good battle with two times New Zealand champion Brad Mathas.

Mathas sat on the shoulder of the pacemaker through the first lap in 54 seconds with Willis a second back.

After the pacemaker dropped out Mathas poured on the pace with the Olympic silver medallist chasing hard.

Willis closed the gap but didn't get past the Christchurch based 20-year-old until the last 50 metres of the race.

Willis stopped the clock at 1:50.04 with Mathas in 1:51.19 and Ben Anderson at 1:53.46.

Camille Buscomb was the other star of the track and field meet, posting an emphatic victory in the 3000 metres, recording a personal best 9:08.70.