Ipswich and District Athletic Club runner Montanna McAvoy.

ATHLETICS:  Ipswich and District Athletic Club competitor Montanna McAvoy has broken the 10 minute barrier to comfortably qualify for the 3km steeplechase final at the World Under 20 championships in Finland.

McAvoy, 17, finished second in her heat, running a personal best time of nine minutes, 59.67 seconds behind Kenyan Celiphine Chespol (9:45.60).

That terrific run placed the former Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School student (pictured) sixth overall among the 40 starters.

Another Queenslander Brielle Erbacher also qualified for the final with a personal best run of 10:09.43

The final is scheduled for Friday at 11pm (Queensland time) in Tampere.

Meanwhile, nominations are open for the 37th annual Ipswich Winter Carnival at Bill Paterson Oval on August 26.

More than $11,000 in prizemoney is on offer in the major sprint handicap events.