2011 Herculis Monaco: Farah Runs 12:53.11 WL, sets NR, Lagat runs 12:53.60, sets AR, results, notes by Larry Eder

The 2011 Herculis Monaco meeting, the tenth of fourteen Samsung Diamond League meetings to be held in 2011, was another fine example of tremendous competitions leading up to the Daegu World Championships, now just over 40 days away!

Mo Farah, 2011 Nike Pre Classic, photo by PhotoRun.net

One of the big stories of the season is the emergence of 2010 European Champion at 5,000m and 10,000m, Mo Farah, who has continued to outkick elite fields, from Eugene, Oregon to Birmingham, UK to Monaco. In this gutty 5,000 meters, Mo Farah held off Bernard Lagat, as Farah ran the WL and British record at 5,000m, in a fine 12:53.60, with Lagat in second, having set the AR for 5,000 meters once again!

Bernard Lagat, 2011 Nike Pre, photo by PhotoRun.net

Bernard Lagat is running at least at his 2007 level. His leg speed is strong, and his finish is withering. His new AR of 12:53.60 shows that Bernard is moving into the shape he will need to medal at the 5,000 meters in Daegu.
The men’s 5,000 meters may be one of the most competitive races of the World Champs, as the level at 5,000m is crushing. Farah, Lagat look to be two of the top contenders at this time. Sad to see DNFs by Rupp and Solinsky. Better it happen in races like this than Daegu.  

Forsythe, Bolt, Lemaitre, photo by PhotoRun.net

Usain Bolt won over Nesta Carter in 9.88 to 9.90. Bolt is rounding into shape, but RBR wonders if Bolt will have the shape of 2009? He will need it, as the sprinting world has continued to develop and the Caribbe has become the Eldoret of sprinting. This development in the sprinting world has vast repercussions to U.S. sprinting, which will be challenged in Daegu like no other world championships before. Nice to see Mike Rodgers 9.96 after his cramping issues in Birmingham.

Phillips Idowu, 2011 Compeed Golden Gala, Roma,
photo by PhotoRun.net

Phillips Idowu won the triple jump here in a field missing Teddy Tamgho, who is injured, after hurting his ankle at the U23s in Europe two weeks back. Will we see Christian Olsson move up into the medals in Daegu?

Morgan Uceny, 2011 Lausanne, photo by PhotoRun.net

Morgan Uceny continues to get RBR and keen observers of the sport excited as she shows some real racy savvy. Her 4:01.59, taking third to Maryam Youssef Jamal (4:00.59) and Btissam Lahkouad (4:01.15). Uceny is a racer, which is so refreshing for American women distance runners. Nice to see Jenny Barringer Simpson and Shannon Rowbury getting into shape. And yes, Shalane Flanagan is rounding into nice shape with her 4:06.63.

Carmelita Jeter, 2011 USA Outdoor, photo by PhotoRun.net

In the 200 meter wars, Carmelita Jeter is beginning to ” get it” per her coach, John Smith, regarding the 200 meters. Her pb win in the 200 meters, with a run of 22.20 and Allyson Felix second (seasonal best) in 22.32 shows how scary fast that this race could be in Daegu. Felix gets the rounds, as Jeter is learning. Jeter told RBR in NYC in June that ” when I listen to my coach, I tend to do better, when I don’t well, you know….(laughing)”.

Allyson Felix, 2011 USA Outdoor, Photo by PhotoRun.net

The men’s 1,500 meter was a barn burner. Actually, it was a tryout for professional kick boxing. Not sure what it was over, but finisher 9, Mehdi Baala, the 2003 silver medalist at 1,500m, and finisher 11,Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad, got into a free for all (think old mosh pit, say, Black Flag & X, circa 1979-1980). The French Federation, shocked by the lack of decorum from two of their athletes, suspended the two, with a short, well written release.

Willis, Manzano, Kiprop, Lagat, Laalou, 2011 AREVA Paris DL, photo by PhotoRun.net

Between all of that fun, Matt Centrowitz finished tenth in 3:34.45. Silas Kiplagat won this one, in 3:30.47, holding off half of Kenya and Europe. Hats off to our Michigan neighbor (via New Zealand), Nick Willis, who set a NR with his fourth place 3:31.76. Willis the silver medalist from 2008 Olympics, is rounding into fine shape.

The 1,500 meters in Monaco was won by Silas Kiplagat, the 1,500m gold medalist from the 2010 Commonwealth Games. Kiplagat held off most of Kenya and all of Europe with his fine run in Monaco, running 3:30.47, holding off Nixon Chepseda and Abubaker Kaki, in 3:31.74, 3:31.76, respectively. Kiplagat is a 1,500m specialist with a withersome kick. 

Silas Kiplagat, 2011 Herculis Monaco, photo by PhotoRun.net

The 1,500 meters for Daegu is getting to look like a kicker’s hell. Anyone who is silly enough to let the pace dawdle in Daegu, should not be surprised when some surprise drops a 24 second last 200 meters in front of 50,000 screaming fans. Look at the picture from the AREVA 1,500 meters-that is what the last 150 meters could look like in Daegu! (Well, with Silas Kiplagat in picture! )