Australian Olympian Jess Hull wins $77,000 with stunning comeback at Grand Slam Track
Australian Olympic silver medallist Jessica Hull has shifted gears to bank $US50,000 ($A77,000) at the latest big-money Grand Slam Track event.
Hull had missed the podium in the Short Distance (800m and 1500m) category at the first two events on the invite-only tour, finishing fourth and fifth for a combined prize of $US45,000 ($A70,000).
But she more than doubled that haul at the next event over the weekend.
With results the only factor in deciding prize money, runners have made the tactical decision to run slow and kick for the finish.
Frustrated by what the 1500m races had yielded to start the Grand Slam season, Hull decided to flip it on its head in Philadelphia over the weekend and run hard from the off.
'It was planned. We had watched how these races had gone in Jamaica and Miami and I know I'm better than I was finishing down there,' she said.
'We just looked at both races, the first 300s were 55 seconds. We're like 'we're not doing that today'.'
Ethiopia's Diribe Welteji made the same move and edged out Hull for the win by 0.32 seconds, with the Aussie still content.
'It was kind of nice. We got off the line. Welteji had the same idea as me so I was like 'OK I'll wait' and when I feel like she's settling I'll keep it going,' she said.
Hull said racing soon after her recent training camp in Arizona played into the decision to push early.
'I felt really strong. I've had a great month of training, I've been at altitude,' she said.
'So it feels nice to be able to come down and be able to breathe — so I was just keen to run hard.'
After the season-best 1500m set her up for a category podium, Hull came from the very back of the field to finish third in the 800m and seal the $US50,000 prize.
Speaking before the run, Hull said she is still adapting to the shorter middle-distance run.
'I'm still learning it — 59 and 61 (seconds per lap) feels the same to me,' she said.
'That's what I'm struggling with a little bit, I don't quite recognise — in Miami we were a little slow through the bell and I had no clue. It all feels the same so that pace I'm still learning.
'I'm hoping tomorrow I can make some good decisions from 300m to 600m where I recognise if there is a drop or increase in pace and respond accordingly. I feel like I've run a bit blind in the last couple.'
Hull kept her word, jumping to sixth at the halfway mark and then moving to second with 200m to go before she was reeled in for third at the finish.
Two more Australians pocketed five-figure prizes on their Grand Slam Track debuts.
Abbey Caldwell finished two spots behind Hull in the Short Distance category, claiming $US25,000 ($A39,000) for her fourth-place result.
Aussie Ky Robinson finished third in the men's 3000m to take home $US15,000 ($A23,000).
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