Preston

In-form Kiwi 800 metres ace is inspired by greatness as he chases his own achievements over the two-lap race.

“This little rivalry that we’ve established the last couple of years is pushing us both to be a lot faster.” “I want to run as fast as possible, and take these opportunities. The last couple of years as I’ve started to run these quicker times, you start to fully realise how quick that record was. “No regrets,” he reflects of the early call to prioritise Europe. “I was probably the happiest non-selection. “It’s pretty tough to comprehend quite how fast that record is,” Preston told Stuff ahead of a much-anticipated showdown against Kiwi rival Brad Mathas that will likely play out in Friday’s 800m final (their heats are Thursday). Truth be told, it’s another time Preston is more focused on as he eyes a spot at this year’s world championships in Budapest. but I’d like to think we’re knocking on that door at the moment.” We’ll have a couple of races hopefully in Europe and re-evaluate ... It is the oldest record on the Athletics NZ books, and a time that would still put a two-lapper in pretty fine company even now, 61 years on. But he has some work to do yet to eclipse Snell’s achievement that unpromising summer day in 1962. “He did it on grass, and I believe he almost did it by himself.