by Larry EderWelcome to our live coverage of the two day AVIVA London Grand Prix. There was a rain delay,but now, about 6.30 pm local time, we have just seen the men’s 3,000 meters, where Bernard Lagat won in 7:40.36 with Mo Farah in second, in 7:40.75! More great track to come!
The crowd is here, thanks to a great marketing program and also the excitement over 19 medals at the European Championships. Hats off to the field put together by Ian Stewart, who, field for field, knows how to place competitive fields that the fans will love, along with up and coming British and American athletes!
Tyson Gay, in semifinals, AVIVA London GP, photo by PhotoRun.net.
The Aviva Performance of the Day was Tyson Gay. His fine sprinting in the cold, damp weather, set a meet record and was a world leader! The women’s 5,000 meters showed Tirunesh Dibaba back in superb racing shape, running a 59 second last lap to win the 5,000 meters in 14:36.41, two seconds over Vivian Cheruiyot, who ran 14:38.17.
photo by PhotoRun.net.
Women’s Discus
“I’m
happy to win but not with my throws today. It’s a shame because of the
weather. It’s been a fantastic season and I’ve really enjoyed the
Diamond League competition.”
Yarelis Barrios, discus goddess of Cuba, photo by PhotoRun.net.
And that is what Yarelis Barrios of Cuba noted after her discus win in 65.62. They just finished, when the rain hit!
After thirty minutes of rain, it cleared up, and the meet got under way once again!
Men’s 3,000 meters
The men’s 3,000 meters featured Euro 1-2 at 10,000 meters, Mo Farah, Chris Thompson, US’s Bernard Lagat, Galen Rupp. Galen was looking for some vindication after a tripping accident in Stockholm where he ran, per his coach, Alberto Salazar, ” a 4k race.” Galen was quite fit, having comopleted 10 x 800 meters in 2:01, 1:45 jog less than ten days ago.
Galen Rupp, 2010 US Outdoor 10,000m, photo by PhotoRun.net.
The pace was honest, 61.89 for first 400 meters, 62.47 for second lap, and 2:32.55 for the first kilometer. In the third go round, the pace was 63.30, fourth lap in 63.02 (4:11 for 1,600 meters).
Mo Farah, 2010 Euro Champ, 10k/5k, photo by
PhotoRun.net.
A fifth slow lap, in 64.37 put the entire field together. Rupp had moved to third in lap four, with Lagat, Farah, Thompson right there. At 2k, 5:11.04 (second kilometer in 2:39), Collis Birmingham of Australia stormed up front and began to push, with his presence seen in the penultimate lap. Farah, Lagat were on Birmingham, who lead through the last turn, when Lagat pulled to the lead, with Mo Farah challenging. Covering the last lap in 55.19, Lagat made his exceptional racing talents look easy, winning in 7;40.36. Mo Farah kept the crowd happy as he ran 7:40.75 for second place, with Mark Kiptoo in third in 7:41.56, a sb, Collis Birmingham in fourth in 7:42.29, a personal best, with Galen Rupp in fifth in 7:43.24, also a pb! Chris Thompson was in sixth in 7:43.34, also a personal best. Nice to see
Craig Mottram racing well again. The bronze medalist from WC 5,000m in 2005 ran a fine 7:45.87! 
Here is what Bernard had to say after his victory at 3,000 meters: “I definitely
didn’t want to go with the pace makers at the start. My plan was just to
hang back a little bit because I knew I hadn’t raced in three weeks. I
wanted to see how I felt, and I felt good. My aim was to run well today and I
wanted to get another win in another discipline here at Crystal Palace and I
got it. Mo is a great athlete and I knew he was running strongly and I’m
glad I was able to run with him really well today.“
Women’s Long Jump
Darya Klishna of Russia won the long jump in London on her third round jump of 6.65m. In second was Luydmila Kolchanova of Russia, also in 6.65m. Klishna got the nod because of her second best jump being 6.55m verus 6.49m for Kolchanova.
Darya Klishina, Russia, photo by PhotoRun.net.
In third, Hyleas Fountain, US heptathlete jumped 6.57 on her last attempt! In fourth, Irena Radevica of Latvia, jumped 6.56m. Ms. Radevica created a bit of a stir in non-athletic media, posing for Playboy in Latvia.
Women’s Javelin
Kara Patterson, Javelin, AVIVA London GP, PhotoRun.net.
Barbora Spotakova only needed one throw, 63.50m, to take the win. That was good, because, Spotakova, who has been dealing with a bad elbow, stopped throwing. Kara Patterson, the new US record holder, took second in 63.41m, which she did on her final attempt. Linda Stahl of Germany was third in 59.60m.
Barbora Spotakova and her sore elbow, AVIVA London GP, PhotoRun.net.
Men’s Pole Vault
Someone said, “Oh, how the mighty have fallen…” Well, that was Lukasz Michalski’s mantra tonight as he cleared 5.31m on attempt one, 5.51m, 5.61m on his second attempts, and 5.71 on his third attempt to take the win.
Steve Hooker, Olympic and World Champion, did not get a mark, with three attempts at 5.51m. Renaud Lavillenie, Euro Champ, no heighted, as well.
Michalski won over Derek Miles, the US veteran, 5.71m to 5.61m!
Men’s 3,000 meter steeplechase
Running the race as if it were a championship, the steeple field ran a pedestrian 2;54.70 for the first kilometer (8:45 pace). Over the second kilometer, covered in 2:46 (5:42.30). Ben Bruce lead for a while early on, but Paul Koech was resting for the first two kilometers.
Paul Kipsiele Koech, DN Galan, Stockholm 2010, Samsung DL, photo by PhotoRun.net.
Ezekial Kemboi, 2009 World Champ, WC silvers in 2007, 2005, 2003, Brimin Kipruto and Paul Koech, 2008 Oly Champ and 2007 WC gold, were together and racing. Running the last kilometer in in 2:35, it came down to the last water barrier, Paul Koech sprints like mad, trying to make sure that Kipruto does not beat him like he did in Stockholm. Koech wins in 8:17.70, Kemboi got KIpruto, 8:19.95 to
8:20.77. Linus Chumba in fourth in 8:30.59, and US Ben Bruce back in
seventh in 8:32.14.
Women’s 100 m hurdles
LoLo Jones battles Sally Pearson, AVIVA London GP, PhotoRun.net.
Sally Pearson had a huge start, leading midway. LoLo Jones began to motor away, and on Jone’s right, Priscilla Lopes-Schleip, hurdling cleanly, took the win, running a world leading 12.52. Pearson caught Jones near the end, 12.61 to 12.66. Queen Harrison was fourth in 12.69. Probably toughest race of the year for the hurdle women!
Women’s 1,500 meters
Lisa Dobriskey, Aviva London GP 1,500m, photo by PhotoRun.net.
In a very tactical race, 72.37 for 400 meters, 2:19.56 for 800 meters and 3:22.15 for 1,200 meters, this race came down to a 60.75 last lap. Anna Almanova took over with two hundred to go, with Lisa Dobriskey, Erin Donahue and Shannon Rowburty in tow, with Nancy Langat waiting to pounce.
And pound she did, Langat took over with 50 meters to go and won decisively, like she did in Doha, Qatar in DL#1, 4:07.60. Anna Alminova, the women with the WL at 1,500 meters, was second in 4:08.82, Lisa Dobriskey was third in 4:08.82. Kudos to Erin Donahue, who fought her way to fourth, passing Shannon Rowbury within sight of the finish line, 4:09.72 to 4:09.93.
Lisa Dobriskey, who finished fourth in European champs, has a great finish, but as one veteran of the global middle distance wars suggested, perhaps Ms. Dobriskey need stay closer to the lead, her finish is quick, but making up real estate that one should not have had to pay for a second time, just makes the battle for wins and medals that much more difficult.
Women’s 200 meters
Allyson Felix blazing the turn, Aviva London 200m, photo
by PhotoRun.net.
Allyson Felix made it look easy. Burning up the turn, arguably the best women 200 meter run ever, Felix ran a nice 22.34. Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie was second in 22.88. Sherone Simpson was third in 23.04!
Bianca Knight was disqualified for running out of her lane, she had originally finished second!
Women’s
High Jump
Blanka Vlasic told the crowd afterwards that she was jumping with some trepidation on Friday evening. She did not feel ready to jump. But, jump she did. Starting at 1.85m, Vlasic cleared 1.85m on the first attempt, then cleared 1.91m, 1.94m, 1.98m, all on first attempts. I took two attempts to clear 2.01m.
Blanka Vlasic, AVIVA London GP, photo by PhotoRun.net
Blanka had won the event once she cleared 1.94m!. Chaunte Howard went out at 1.85m, finishing sixth. Lavern Spencer cleared 1.88, finishing fourth due to attempts. Svetlana Shkolina also cleared 1.88m, finishing fourth as well, on less attempts. In third, Irina Gordeyeva cleared 1.91m and took third. In 1.91m also, also on less attempts, Ruth Beitia of Spain took second.
Vlasic entertains the fans, AVIVA London GP, PhotoRun.net.
Vlasic made three game attempts at 2.04m, entertaining the crowd with her enthusiastic jumping. For Vlasic, this high jump competition showed her level of fitness and endurance.
Men’s 800 meters
I have to admit I like Andrew Wheating. In less than two months after his graduation as an Oregon Duck, Wheating ran a 3:51.73 in the Nike Pre Mile, then a 1;44.62 for 800 meters in his first race as a professional in Areva Paris. One week later, in Monaco, Wheating ran a 3:30.90, taking fourth in the 1,500 meters that had the best runners of the season in the race!
Kaki versus Wheating, AVIVA London GP, PhotoRun.net.
Following Khadevis Robinson, who acted as rabbit, in 49.24, with Abubaker Kaki and Andrew Wheating in tow. Wheating followed Kaki and Symmonds layed in wait, in fifth position. Down the final stretch, Kaki started to loose form, but his 1:44.38 held off the hard charging Wheating, who charges the final stretch like the late Ivo Van Damme. Wheating did not give up, and was rewarded with a personal best of 1;44.56. In third was Nick Symmonds who ran 1:45.28, with Darren St.Clair in a personal best of 1:45.74.
Men’s Triple Jump
The triple jump has been an exciting event in 2010. Teddy Tamgho won the World Indoors in an indoor world record, then, at the adidas GP, triple jumped a world leading 17.98m.
Phillips Idowu won the Europeans over Tamgho just ten days ago. Last year, Idowu won the gold medal at the World Champs in Berlin. Today was not a good day in the office for Philips, who only jumped 16.52m.
Christian Olsson, AVIVA London GP, photo by PhotoRun.net.
Christian Olsson of Sweden, the veteran of the triple jump wars, and a man who has endured nine surgeries to stay a world class triple jumper, had his best performance of the season, jumping 17.41m on his third attempt, taking the win.
Teddy Tamgho took second in 17.27m, in his fourth attempt. Alexis Copello of Cuba cleared 17.02m on his first attempt, which actually lead until the third round of jumps.
Women’s 5,000 meters
Dibaba sprints, AVIVA London, PhotoRun.net
In a brilliant tactical win, Tirunesh Dibaba gave herself a victory over
Vivian Cheruiyot, the world leader.
Plis Renata of Portugal lead through the first two kilometers. Renata hit the
1,000 meters in 2;59.57, and 2,000 meters in 5:55.84. Sally Kipyego, who would finish fourth, covered the third kilometer in 2:59, hitting the 3,000 meter mark in 8:54.20. Linet Masai took on the fourth kilometer, running a
2:58 for 11:52.29.
Tirunseh Dibaba floated, watching the leaders, waiting for just the right time to close in for the kill. Just like the predator she is (watched Shark Week on Discovery channel), Tirunesh Dibaba made her move with one lap to go, flying over the last laps for 59 seconds.
Vivian Cheruiyot did not give up, and was rewarded with second in 14:38.17, right behind Tirunesh Dibaba’s 14:36.41!
Senteheyu Ejigo took third, running a fine 14:39.24. In 14:41.94, Sally Kipyego ran a personal best. In fifth place, Linet Masai ran 14:42.37.
Pauline Korikwiang was sixth in as seasonal best of 14:42.37.
Molly Huddle, AVIVA London GP, PhotoRun.net.
In ninth place, continuing to show her talent, was Molly Huddle, who ran a fine 14:57.93. Euro silver medalist at 10,000 meters, Jessica Augusto of Portugal, ran 15:04.97, finishing in tenth place. Continuing her return to fitness, Lauren Fleshman ran 15:13.98, her seasonal best, in 11th place.
Fleshman continues her comeback, AVIVA London, PhotoRun.net.
The revelation of this race? Dibaba is back in shape and ready to race!
Her 5,000 meter run today, against the fastest racer in the world, showed
track fans that Tirunesh Dibaba can race away from the competition like she did in 2007 and 2008!
Men’s 100 meters
Tyson Gay speaking to media, AVIVA London 2010Photo by PhotoRun.net.
I really have to look hard to see a better orchestrated run meet, but how the heck does Mr. Stewart get Tyson Gay to run the 100 meters like that?
Tyson Gay, Aviva London, first heat, photo by PhotoRun.net
Tyson Gay, with a tremendous start, is up and running hard, with Blake and Dix in attendance. Dix cramps, holding his hamstring about 60 meters, but by then, the race is over. Tyson Gay continues to accelerate, running away from the field and running a world leader in 9.78! In this cold, drizzly weather, Tyson Gay made this meet his, running the fastest time seen at this meet and the fastest time in the world! Y
ohan Blake was second in 9.89, a personal best. Richard Thompson ran 10.05 for third, J-Mee Samuels of US was fourth in 10.10, MIke Rodgers was fifth in 10.17, and Trell Kimmons was sixth in 10.27. What a race!
Walter Dix pulls out, Tyson Gay flys, AvivaLondon 100m
final, photo by PhotoRun.net.
“For the final, I had to go back and refocus…I think I have one 100 meters
left in Brussels. I think I tweaked it, (my hamstring), but I should be fine!”
None the less, Tyson Gay won the AVIVA performance of the day, and with a meet record and world leader, he should!
More writing tonight or early tomorrow, but for RBR and the Running Network, good night from the AVIVA London Grand Prix, See you here
tomorrow!
