Mottram faces tall challenge in Wanamaker mile

By Peter Gambaccini

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Australia's world 5,000 meters bronze medalist Craig Mottram believes running smart will help him negotiate a tight track at New York's 100th Millrose Games on Friday.

The small, 11-laps to the mile, 145m track at famed Madison Square Garden could be a major challenge to the lofty Mottram as he faces two-times Olympic medallist Bernard Lagat and fellow American hopeful Alan Webb in the Wanamaker Mile.

The 6ft 3ins Australian may find the tight track awkward, fellow runners have told the 3:48.98 outdoor miler, but Mottram believes he is up to the challenge.

"You guys can tell me what I can and cannot do," Mottram told a Wednesday press conference. "I'll go out on Friday and show you what can be done.

"In the olden days, there were a lot of guys my size running around and running quickly.

"If you are big and uncoordinated, you might find it difficult, but I've got good rhythm, I'm very smooth," said the 2006 IAAF World Cup 3,000m champion.

"It's just a matter of running smart and running well."

His two-week trip to America's indoor tracks has already produced one surprise.

Mottram prevailed by more than three seconds in last week's Boston Indoor Games 3,000m, running an Australian record 7:39.24.

"I hadn't been on the track since the World Cup (in September)," said Mottram.

"I wasn't expecting anything spectacular. To win it the way I did did surprise me."

Friday's mile, however, promises to be more difficult.

Kenyan-born Lagat has the experience and speed to handle the Garden track. A four times Wanamaker Mile winner, he holds the meeting record 3:52.87 in 2005.

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Mottram's training has not particularly been geared to running a fast mile, he said.