AFP reportsSteve Moneghetti hailed a potential Australian marathon star after Jeff Hunt claimed third place in the prestigious Beppu Oita marathon in Japan on Sunday.
The 27-year-old New South Welshman, a former national cross country champion, was contesting his first marathon and clocked a highly impressive two hours 11 minutes.
"It's fantastic. It goes to show that we are on the way back," said Moneghetti, an Australian selector.
"To do that on debut shows that he has a great future."
Hunt's time bettered the A-qualifying mark for the Commonwealth Games, as did the 2:13.27 run by countryman Martin Dent, who came 11th.
"To have two under the Commonwealth Games qualifying time today is just terrific," Moneghetti said.
Kenya's Peter Kipkorir won the race in 2:10.50, just ahead of compatriot Daniel Ngenja in 2:10.56.
Hunt, at one point far off the pace, fought up to join the leaders with three kilometres to go and challenged the front pair.
Moneghetti said Hunt's strength late in the race suggested a bright future in marathon running.
"I ran 2:11.18 on debut in 1986 and then Lee Troop ran 2:11.21 in London in 1999," said Moneghetti.
"It's two pretty well credentialled people that Jeff has jumped ahead of so it gives you some understanding of how significant the run is.
"The other thing that was important was that he ran on through the field, got up to second at one stage and then finished third in the race.
"It's not as if he has done it just being dragged along, he has been really competitive in the race.
"The fact that he has run on ... to win marathons you need to be running on now days, so that will be a good sign and great for his confidence as well."
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