Hoare wins remarkable 1500m gold

Hoare was fourth at the top of the final straight but powered home to win in three minutes 30.12 seconds, lunging across the line to edge out 2019 world champ Timothy Cheruiyot from Kenya by nine hundredths of a second.

Reigning world champ Jake Wightman from Scotland was third as the first seven runners across the line all broke the Games record.

It was a remarkable turnaround for Hoare, who only two weeks ago failed to earn a place in the final at the world championships.

The 25-year-old stripped more than two and a half seconds off his PB in one of the greatest middle-distance runs ever by an Australian.

Elliott won the mile at the 1958 Games in Cardiff before the switch to metric distances.

Former English middle-distance superstar and current World Athletics boss Sebastian Coe was on hand at Alexander Stadium to pay tribute to Hoare.

"It was a sensational run," he said.

"The golden rule is to stay in contact (with the leaders) and then you are in a position to capitalise when things start to go wrong for others.

"He stayed calm over the last lap and he absolutely capitalised."

Hoare's victory provided Australia with a triumphant end to a mixed session at Alexander Stadium.

A "frustrated and disappointed" Eleanor Patterson was in no mood to offer any excuses after having to settle for a shock high jump silver.

A fortnight after winning the world title in Eugene in thrilling style, Patterson was the red-hot favourite to claim a second Commonwealth title in Birmingham.

The odds of a Patterson triumph shortened even further when fellow Australian and Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Nicola Olyslagers withdrew on the eve of the final after tearing a calf muscle in the qualifying round.

But no one reckoned on Lamara Distin.

The Jamaican blew the competition wide open with a first-round clearance at 1.95m.

Patterson was unable to respond, missing three times at 1.95m - seven centimetres less than her Australian record-equalling effort in Eugene.

The 26-year-old claimed silver on countback from another Jamaican, Kimberley Williamson, at 1.92m.

"I am just really frustrated and disappointed," said Patterson.

"I didn't really show what I can do at all.

"I was not jumping how I can and how I usually do and so it is just really frustating."

Patterson acknowledged their may have been a comedown from the remarkable high of world championships gold.

"Maybe I need to adjust to that expectation and title that is attached to my name," she said.

"I honestly think there are no excuses at the end of the day.

"No matter what, I am world champion but who cares, I have still got to come out and perform every time."

Patterson will now turn her attention to the remainder of the Diamond League season.

Australia also suffered a major blow in the opening round of the men's 4x100m relay when Rohan Browning fell flat on his face at the final changeover.

Australia was well placed to claim a spot in the final until 100m finalist Browning tumbled to the track before third-leg runner Jack Hale could get him the baton.

"I just tripped over; it's never happened before," said Browning.

"I know these boys have put in so much work for this relay and I take sole responsibility for that.

It was one of those freak things and I'm just gutted by it."

Naa Anang anchored the women's 4x100m relay team to third spot in their heat in 43.47 and a spot in Sunday's final.

Australia's premier race walker Jemima Montag added the 10,000m track title to the 20km gold she won four years ago on the roads of the Gold Coast.

Montag broke clear at the halfway stage of Saturday's final to win in 42 minutes 34.30 seconds.

Rebecca Henderson was fourth and Katie Hayward was seventh after incurring a one-minute penalty.

Ben Buckingham (fifth) asnd Ed Trippas (seventh) were well off the pace in the men's 3000m steeplechase final and Julie Charlton was last in the F55-57 women's shot put.

Australian Associated Press