Distance Duo Descend on Stockholm Diamond League

Two of New Zealand’s finest middle-distance talents return to the international stage this weekend as Sam Tanner and George Beamish line up at the Stockholm Diamond League on Monday morning NZT (Sunday evening local). While the men’s 1500m and 3000m steeplechase are non-Diamond League programme races, they may as well be with the quality of both of these fields. 

George Beamish returns to the steeple chase for the first time since the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. An early season 5000m outing at Track Fest in LA with a 13:09.80 performance has shown that the NZ record holder is in quality shape as he returns to his specialist event. The race is missing the top names in global steeple chasing, but the field is still full of quality athletes. Samuel Firewu of Kenya enters as the favourite with his recent season’s best of 8:05.61. Nicolas-Marie Daru and Djilali Bedrani, France, have sharp recent bests of 8:10.69 and 8:11.52, respectively. Beamish’s best of 8:09.64 sees him ranked within the top 5 on paper for the race. With the World Athletics Championships entry standard of 8:15.00 on offer, there will be everything to run for as Beamish turns his attention back to the barriers.

Sam Tanner will also line up in Stockholm, continuing his European season after a solid run in Nice. While the 1500m also isn’t an official Diamond League event in Stockholm, it’s not short of any quality. Norwegian Narve Gilje Nordas has made a statement on the international stage, running out of the shadow cast by countryman Jakob Ingebirgston. Nordas’s best of 3:29.47 is the only mark in the field breaking that 3:30 barrier. George Mills of GBR is always dangerous with his 3:30.95 best. Tanner will have a deep field to contend with as he hopes to knock off the World Athletics Championships entry standard, with the race paced for 3:30.00

The Stockholm meeting marks an important step in the season for both athletes – a return to the barriers for Beamish and a step up in racing for Tanner. 

Kiwi fans can watch the Stockholm Diamond League via the Diamond Leage YouTube channel. As non-diamond league events, the steeple and 1500m may not be featured in the broadcast.