Wellings secures automatic nomination

Runner Eloise Wellings has earned automatic nomination for selection to the 2016 Australian Olympic Team after winning the women’s 10,000m at the Zatopek:10 over the weekend.

Wellings triumphed in a time of 32:02.61 to claim her fourth national 10,000m crown, winning by nearly 24 seconds from her nearest competitor.

“I felt pretty easy during the first 15 laps, that was when the girls pulled out. I knew that was going to happen, though, and I just made sure that I was ready to dig deep and hurt towards the end, becoming a bit like a metronome," Wellings said to Athletics Australia after the win.

Wellings’ effort means that seven NSWIS athletes have posted Rio qualifying times across 10 events, with official selections to take place next year.