Hassan Mead Heading Down Under

Excited to head far south @AthleticsNZ to join strong 5k field @TrackChallenge and start 2015 well. @OregonTCElite @Nike @runninelvis..
— Hassan mead (@HassyHass35) February 19, 2015

The purpose of the trip, said Mead in a short conversation in the airport while he was changing planes en route to New Zealand, is to get a qualifying mark in the 5K for this year's IAAF World Championships.  As already noted HERE Mead will be one of a number of top international runners in the Auckland Challenge meet on February 26.  Many with the same goal of running faster than the IAAF standard of 13:23.

Mead said that he was fit and thus the decision to make the journey South.  If the weather cooperates  placing well in the event in Auckland should require a time well under 13:23.  Mead will stay in New Zealand and train until March 12, he said, then travel to Sydney, Australia to run a 1500. Then it's back to Flagstaff in the US for some more altitude training to prepare for the outdoor season.