AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS:
1500m:
'01- 1st (U20), '03 - 3rd, ’06- 4th,
3000m: '
01 – 1st (U20),
INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS:
Commonwealth Games:
’06 – 1500m 3rd (3.39.33)
World Youth Championships:'99 - 1500m 8th (3.50.70)
World University Games:
'03 – 1500m 5th(3.44.04)
PROGRESSION:
1500 metres
1999 3.49.23
2000 3.45.09
2001 3.49.0
2002 3.47.26
2003 3.40.30
2004 3.39.18
2005 3.33.68
2006 3.35.38
EVENTS / PBS:
800 metres
2005 1.49.80i
1000 metres
2005 2.20.30i
1500 metres
2005 3.33.68
1 mile
2005 3.53.24
3000 metres
2005 7.52.38i
Nicknamed ‘Spurt’ by his mates, Mark was introduced to athletics when he was seven by a friend. He enjoys relaxing by surfing, listening to music, and watching movies with mates. Mark’s heroes include Steve Ovett. Mark's goal is the Olympic Games in the 1500m.
A talented junior, Mark made the final of the 1999 World Youth Championships 1500m and the next year, aged 18, clocked 3.45 for 1500m. After placing a close third at the 2003 National Championships, he ran a series of good races in the USA in May 2003, lowering his best to 3.40.30 and also became the 36th Australian to clock a sub-4 minute mile.
In August 2003, he placed 5th in the 1500m at the World University Games.
After a solid 2004 season, his form in 2005 was amazing. Mark clocked outstanding times both indoors and outdoors from events from 800m to 3000m. He broke the indoor 1000m and mile records. In August 2005, Mark clocked an outstanding 3.33.68 over 1500m, moving to No 3 in Australian history.
Mark won the Canberra Telstra A series in 3.41.35 and then finished 4th in the Nationals in 3.41.36, and was selected in the Commonwealth Games team. He won bronze at the Games. Mark ran in Europe achieving very good results Monaco and Rieti.