Canada's Martinson proves he belongs at track worlds

Geoff Martinson of Prince George, B.C., justified his controversial selection to the Canadian world track and field championship team by advancing to the semifinals of the men's 1,500-metre race in his first major international competition.

Geoff Martinson of Prince George, B.C., justified his controversial selection to the Canadian world track and field championship team by advancing to the semifinals of the men’s 1,500-metre race in his first major international competition.

The 25-year-old finished ninth in the third of three heats with a time of 3:40.98. The first six in each heat advanced to Thursday’s semis along with the next six fastest. Martinson was added based on his time.

The field of 13 runners followed the early pace of Ethiopia's Deresse Mekonnen, the 2008 and 2010 World Indoor Champion, passing 400-metres in 58.26 and 800 in 2:00.34.

"It was a lot slower than I thought it would be," Martinson said. "The slower pace kept a lot of guys in it. This is my first taste of racing against all these guys. You see when you get out there it’s a whole other level. Sixty seconds seems pretty easy but to these guys it’s a jog.

"As far as preparation goes, I think [it] was perfect."

Martinson finished third at the 2011 Canadian Championships but when neither national champion Nate Brannen or Taylor Milne, the silver medallist, were able to meet the IAAF qualifying standard, Athletics Canada chose to send Martinson to Daegu under its 'Rising Star' program.

Martinson’s personal best time of 3:37.56 was recorded this summer at the Harry Jerome Invitational in Burnaby, B.C. Brannen had run 3:35.80 and dipped under 3:37 on two separate occasions, and had beaten Martinson at the Harry Jerome Invitational meet as well as at the national championships and was disappointed to not be picked.

Most of the favourites, including the Kenyan trio of Silas Kiplagat, Daniel Komen and Asbel Kiprop, advanced. Olympic bronze medallist Mehdi Baala of France was tripped in the second heat and fell to the track. He jogged home in 4:13.10. After an appeal from the French team, Baala was reinstated and will line up in the semifinals.

Looking forward to the semifinals Martinson is pleased to have another opportunity against the world’s best. He planned to get together with his personal coach Wyn Gmitrowski, the man who guided Gary Reed to the 2007 IAAF World Championship 800 silver medal and discuss a race strategy.

"I have got to stay relaxed, keep my focus and not let it get to my head and I think I will be fine," Martinson said of the race. "All I can do is get out there and run as hard as I can. If I can do one more like this, then, who knows?"