New Zealand athlete Nick Willis has continued his good form, finishing third in a 3000-metre race in the Czech Republic.
Nick Willis (black singlet) in action at the 2010 Commonwealth Games. Photo: AFP
Willis ran a personal best time of 7 minutes 36.91 seconds, knocking 0.58 seconds off the record held by New Zealand middle distance icon Sir John Walker. Walker's record was set in London in 1982.
Willis now owns the 1500m and 3000m national records, while Walker has the 1000m, 2000m and mile records to his name.
The 31-year-old Willis is preparing for next month's Commonwealth Games, where he intends to run the 1500m and 5000m. He ran his fastest-ever mile at the Bislett Games in Oslo last week.
Willis will return to his base in Michigan to continue his preparations for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
Fellow Kiwi Zane Robertson finished 14th in Willis' race in the Czech Republic, in a new outdoor personal best of 7:50.89.
