Gregson rallies for Penn Relays

After spending a month altitude training in the snow capped hills of Mt Laguna, Ryan Gregson is getting set for his second big race in as many weeks with the Penn Relays in Pennsylvania this Thursday – also Ryan’s 22^nd Birthday.

There is few races in the world as prestigious; it is the oldest and largest event on the US track and field calendar and attracts thousands of competitors from around the world with over 300 events across three days.

In 2011, Australia’s track team took it to the world, in the special event – USA versus the world – which attracts over 50,000 spectators and a swag of big names including, the fastest man on two feet, Usain Bolt.

Australia’s team which included Gregson,Sean Wroe, Lachlan Renshaw and Jeff Riseley lined-up against runners from Morocco, Kenya, Ethiopia, Canada and the Distance Medley Relay which comprises a 1200, 400, 800, 1500m distances.

See the 2011 Nike Men’s Distance Medley Relay race here

In his first competitive hit out since being forced out of the Commonwealth Games with a stress fracture, Gregson got the Australians off to a flying start in the 1200m opening leg. With a time of 2:48.66 he led from the front, a position the team never relinquished, finishing a close second to Morocco.

For Australia, 2012 will see a familiar race with a few unfamiliar faces with Gregson to lead the charge with Australia’s Lachlan Renshaw, Jordan Williamsz and Matt Lynch (with Wroe forced out due to a burst appendix).

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