Australian distance runner Collis Birmingham has confirmed that he will return to Leeside for the 65th Cork City Sports to attempt to win the 3000m event for the third time. He previously won the 3000m race in 2012 & 2013.

Collis Birmingham is one of Australia’s best runners. The 30-year-old, Ballarat resident has twice competed in the Olympic Games in 2008 in Beijing as well as the 2012 London edition. The former Australian 10,000-metre record holder has competed six times during the IAAF World Cross Country Championships, once as a junior and three times in the IAAF World Track and Field Championships.

Birmingham is coached by famed Australian athletics coach Nic Bideau, who is well-known for coaching Craig Mottram, Cathy Freeman and Sonia O’Sullivan to name a few.