Star Newstead runner Sam Clifford has set a new 5000m under-18 national record.
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The 14:07.92 time during the Victorian championships shaved nearly seven seconds off Ryan Gregson's mark.
Clifford not only smashed state under-18, under-19 and under-20 records, but he also set a world junior qualifier.
"My goal was to go for that world junior qualifier, which was 14:12," Clifford said.
"So I knew if I was around that sort of mark, I'd beat the Australian record or getting under that. So that was the expectation going in."
Launceston talent James Hansen aided his second cousin on Thursday night with pacing duties before the 26-year-old ran in 13:58:85.
ELSEWHERE IN SPORT
"I realistically thought if I was in range with about 100 metres to go and it was on, I'd be a chance," Clifford said.
"I was doing well under that and when I did see 13 minutes come up on the lap time and it stayed on 13 for a while, I thought I've got it.
"If I had seen the 14 click over, I'd get worried but I was able to give myself a bit of a buffer."
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