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Feb. 7, 2009 – Sparkassen Cup, Stuttgart, Germany

Hilary finishes third in Stuttgart

After a difficult 2008, Hilary is back on track and enjoying racing as she opened her indoor season "on the podium" this past weekend in Stuttgart, Germany.

Stuttgart Sparkassen Cup is one of the top indoor athletics meetings in the world, having hosted a number of World and Continental records in its 23-year history. Although no world records fell this past weekend, it still did not disappoint with world leading performances in women’s high jump, 60m hurdles and 3000m, as well as men’s 60m hurdles, 800m, 1500m and 3000m.

The women’s 1500m was a small field, but included strong international athletes, three being 2008 Olympians. The race got off to a slow start, with the pacemaker bringing athletes through the 800m in 2:16. Great Britain’s Susan Scott took over with 600m to go making a strong push that continued right to the finish with a clear win in 4:13.37. Hilary covered Scott’s move but was unable to follow her in the last 200m, faltering in the last 100m to come third behind Russia’s Nataliya Panteleeva, 4:17.36 and 4:17.71 respectively. Hilary says she was happy with this opener.

“I would have liked to stay with Susan and run a bit faster, but of course the overall pace wasn’t fast from the start. In hindsight, this was probably not such a bad thing for me at this point since it was my first race and I literally have not done any training at this pace. I’ve really been focusing on endurance and building a good base for the summer,” said Hilary after the race. “I think this was a good shock to the system and since I’m racing in just under a week, my body with be ready for a faster pace in the next one.”

Hilary explained that she is using the indoor season as a good competitive experience to enjoy racing and get ready for summer. “Last summer I spent so much time worrying about racing times so I’m happy to just get in a race and be competitive, the times will come.”

Next up for Hilary is another 1500m in Dusseldorf, Germany on Friday, Feb. 13th.

See full Stuttgart results here.

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