by Larry Eder
Five world leads
DES MOINES (USA, Apr 27): The 104th Drake Relays presented by Hy-Vee ended with 48th straight Saturday sellout crowd in the event history 14 504 spectators (total all days 45 838). On Saturday five world leads were registered. In the 100 m hurdles London Games Rematch Queen Harrison surprisingly won in 12.71 (-1.6) world lead over Dawn Harper 12.74, Kellie Wells 12.78 and Lolo Jones 12.79. Reese Hoffa achieved another world lead in shot put 21.71 over Ryan Whiting 21.37 and Canadian Justin Rodhe 21.29 PB. Czech bronze olympic medalist Zuzana Hejnova posted another world lead in women 400 m hurdles 54.41. Tierra Brown 55.27 and Ellen Wortham 55.78 followed her. Olympic 2008 medalist Nick Willis from New Zealand clocked one mile world lead 3:55.70 ahead of Miles Batty 3:58.96. Women high jump saw the top mark of the outdoor season, when European champion Ruth Beitia of Spain cleared 195 over St. Lucia´s Lavern Spencer 192 and Bulgarian veteran Venelina Veneva 189. Germany’s Bjorn Otto followed up Wednesday’s victory in the Pole Vault in the Mall by clearing 570. Second Brad Walker 560 and in a tie for third olympic winner Renaud Lavillenie with Briton Steven Lewis 550. Olympic winner Christian Taylor achieved 17.12 (-0.3) in the triple jump ahead of French Yoann Rapinier 16.93 (+2.2). The fans just missed seeing another record broken by only the slightest of favoring winds kept Mississippi’s Isiah Young from breaking the Drake Relays record in the university-college men’s 100. Young’s time of 10.07 was faster than the meet record of 10.11, set by Alabama’s Calvin Smith in 1983, but the wind of 2.1 meters per second was just over the allowable limit. Amanda Smock achieved windy 14.06 (+3.7) in the triple jump and good relay wins for Alabama 38.97 and Nebraska 3:03.79.
USA vs World 4:2
PHILADELPHIA (USA, Apr 27): USA won 4 out from 6 races at the 14th USA vs The World races during the 119th Penn Relays. It was observed by 48 871 fans at Franklin Field. In the olympic events three out of four possible world leads were set. Only women 4×100 m did not produce 2013 top mark. Favorites USA Red (Rodgers, Gatlin, Patton, Bailey) won the men 4×100 m in 38.26 ahead of Jamaica (from olympic winners only Nesta Carter as starter) 38.65 and USA Blue 38.94 with Great Britain 38.99. Another USA Red win in men 4×400 m (Lawrence, Mitchell, B. Jackson, McQuay – without announced L. Merritt) 3:00.91 ahead of unexpected strong Jamaica 3:01.15 who beat olympic winners Bahamas 3:02.23. Fourth USA Blue 3:02.64 ahead of Trinidad 3:02.81 and Caribbean Team 3:04.81 (Kirani James second leg 44.1, the fastest split of the day). In the women 4×100 m Jamaica (Simpson, Stewart, McLaughlin, Fraser-Pryce) 42.42 beat USA Blue 42.65 and favorites USA Red (olympic team, only Jeter was missing) 42.66. In close 4×400 m USA Red (Beard, Hastings 49.9 top split of the day, Trotter, McCorory) in 3:22.66 beat Great Britain (Child, Cox, Ohuruogu, Shakes-Drayton) 3:22.68 with Jamaica third 3:24.11. The 4×800 m USA Team Lea Wallace, Brenda Martinez, Ajee Wilson and Alysia Montano (1:58.6 split) set a new American Record 8:04.31. Second Kenya 8:07.58 ahead of USA Blue 8:10.99. The Men’s Distance Medley Relay was decided by 0.69 seconds in the favor of Ethiopia (Mohamed Aman his 800 m leg 1:44.0) over Kenya 9:16.34 to 9:17.03. Third USA Red 9:18.21 (Duane Solomon his 800 m leg 1:45.0).
Drouin 233, N. Langat 4:28.50 WL
PHILADELPHIA (USA, Apr 27): In other events at Penn Relays Canadian Olympic medalist Derek Drouin improved his outdoor best in the high jump to 233 cm. European champion Christophe Lemaitre won the 100 m in 10.29 (-0.5). Kenyans won the mile. Jonathan Sawe in 3:57.03 ahead of Michael Rutt 3:57.18 and Tyler Mulder 3:57:37. 2008 Olympic winner Nancy Langat won the women mile in good world leading 4:28.50. Amer Webb posted 10.24 in the 100 m (-0.4). In the college relays Jamaican UTECH won the 4×100 m in 38.92 and Texas AM the 4×400 m in 3:02.52. Oregon women posted 3:26.73 in the 4×400 m new college meet record.
Ethiopian wins
DUSSELDORF (GER, Apr 28): Two Ethiopians took the 11th edition of the Metro Group Marathon Dusseldorf. In ideal weather conditions 26 year-old Dereje Debele Tulu broke the course record with 2:07:48. It was the first sub 2:08 time in this marathon. Second Pius Ondoro clocked 2:08:17 while Duncan Koech (both Kenya) took third with 2:09:10. For the first time there were five runners who achieved sub 2:10 times in Duesseldorf. Ethiopians Shengo Kebede (2:09:53) and Asmare Workneh (2:09:56) took fourth and fifth places. Best home runner as 10th Marcin Blazinski in 2:14:45 personal best. The big pre-race favourite Melkam Gizaw was the women winner with a personal best of 2:26:24. It was the second fastest women’s performance in the history of the race. Kenyan debutant Rebecca Chesire ran a fine 2:27:52 for second place. Agnieszka Ciolek-Mierzejewska from Poland was third with 2:33:36. Adding all events 14,000 runners entered the event.
Montsho 50.14 WL
ABIDJAN (CIV, Apr 27): Reigning 400 m world champion Amantle Montsho posted at the Tiacoh Memorial Meet world leading 50.14. She was also second in the 100 m in 11.67 (-0.6) behind home sprinter Maria Josee Ta Lou 11.58 (she also won the 200 m in 23.67). Hua Wilfried Serge Koffi of Ivory Coast won both male sprints in solid 10.30 and 20.57. Interesting to note that both home sprinters have their training base in China what explains their names.
Gelant superb double
DURBAN (RSA, Apr 26-27): At South African Universities Championships Elroy Gelant showe top shape. During first day he posted excellent 10 000 m personal best 27:41.30. It is not only second best 2013 but also fourth fastest by an South African. On Saturday in the 5000 m again new personal best and world leading 13:16.22. Fast 100 m 10.06 by Henrico Bruintjies and 10.24 of Akani Simbini were aided by +4.9. Zarck Visser leaped to windy 806 (+3.2). Wayde Van Niekerk won the 400 m in 46.22 and Jerry Matsau the 1500 m in 3:40.07. PC Beneke won the 400 m hurdles in 49.67 and Robert Oosthuizen got 81.08 in the javelin.
OTHER TRACK RESULTS
SAO PAULO (BRA, Apr 26): Pan Am Games winner Ana Claudia Lemos Silva clocked excellent 11.18 (+0.6) in heats and even faster but windy 11.06 (+2.3) in the final of the 100 m at first meet of Nelson Prudencio Circuit at Campinas Stadium. She also won the 200 m in 23.31 (-0.7). Aldemir Gomes won the men 200 m in 20.78 (+1.4). Jonathan Henrique won the 400 m in 46.10. Good 14.19 (+1.4) in triple jump for Kelia Costa. Jucilene Sales de Lima improved in women javelin to 58.67. Darlan Romani won the shot put with 20.08. In the men long jump world indoor champion Mauro Vinicius leaped to 780 (+0.7) and was beaten by Gor Nerkararyan from Armenia who improved his best to 797 (+1.4) cm.
VALENCIA (ESP, Apr 27): During first round of Spanish Club Championships Cuban Indira Terrero posted 51.97 in the 400 m and natonal record holder in women javelin Mercedes Chilla returned after heavy achilles injury with 53.00 m win.
TEL AVIV (ISR, Apr 27): New national U23 record in Israel for Olga Lenskiy 23.60 (+0.8) in the 200 m. Ukrainian Olympic triple 4th placer Hanna Knyazyeva who now lives in Israel won the long jump with 606 (+2.2).
KIELCE (POL, Apr 27): Good start for Robert Urbanek at Furmanek Memorial in discus with 64.36. Katarzyna Furmanek improved Polish Youth hammer record (3 kg) to 67.63 m.
SOSNOWIEC (POL, Apr 27): Polish 10 000 m champions are Szymon Kulka (European junior CC champion 2012) 30:08.43 and Dominika Napieraj 35:25.61. In accompanying events Karol Zalewski clocked 15.53 (+0.4) in the 150 m and Patryk Dobek national junior record at the 300 m 33.34.
ZHAOQING (CHN, Apr 28): Duri
ng second day of Chinese National GP meet women shot put winner Gong Lijiao achieved good quality 19.97 m. From men events Xie Zhenye won the 200 m 20.71 (-0.8) and Wang Yu cleared 224 in the high jump. In 110 m hurdles final Xie Wenjun posted good 13.44 (+0.1) and women discus winner Tan Jian achieved 62.56 m.
SHIRAZ (IRI, Apr 25-26): Mohamed Arzandeh leaped to good 795 to win the long jump at Iran National Championships. Mahmood Samimi got 62.63 in discus (Ehsan Hadadi was not competing) and Kevin Ghanbarzadeh cleared 221 in the high jump. In sprints Reza Ghasemi posted 10.36 and 21.01 double and Sajad Hashemi won the 400 m in 46.47.
MUMIAS (KEN, Apr 27): Youth runner Robert Biwott beat a quality field to win men 1500 m at the National Bank of Kenya/ Athletics Kenya meeting at Mumias Sports Complex in 3:46.5. World champion Asbel Kiprop, who was the race favourite, skipped the finals despite beeing qualified from heats on Friday. Vincent Leting (3:47.1), Richard Kiplangat (3:48.1) and Job Kinyor (3:48.9) followed him. Africa junior 5000 m champion Jairus Kipchoge won the steeple in good 8:25.9 over Hillary Yego 8:26.1. Newcomer Ambrose Bore was first in the 5000 m in 14:17.8 ahead of Tirop Eric (14:18.1), Douglas Kipserem (14:18.4) and Cornelius Kangogo (14:18.8). Abednego Chesebe produced a brilliant run in the 800 m with 1:47.4 beating Simon Rotich (1:47.7) and Moses Kipkemboi (1:48.3). World Junior 1500 m champion Faith Chepng’etich lifted the 800m title in 2:02.8, outsmarting new catch Nelly Chepkosgei (2:03.0) and double world junior 3000 m champion Mercy Cherono 2:05.7.
US SATURDAY RESULTS
SAN MARCOS: Good double at Bobcat Classic for world relay medalist Antoine Adams of St. Kitts 10.30 (+0.6) and 20.65 (-0.2). Ryan Fontenot improved his 110 m hurdles best to 13.44 (+1.2). Jacob Thormahlen won the shot 20.22. Jamaican Patricia Hall again another solid double 23.06 (+0.8) and 51.32 in the 200/400 m.
TEMPE: Olympic medalist Brigeta Barrett equaled her own world lead of 194 in the high jump at a Dual Meet. She also tried at 199. In the men high jump Mexican Edgar Rivera-Morales equaled his best from 2011 with 228 cm. Ryan Milus posted in sprints 10.19 (0.0) and 20.77.
FAYTTEVILLE: Best result at the Arkansas Invitational for sprinter Octavious Freeman with 11.17 (+0.3) in the women 100 m.
FORT COLLINS: Jeremy Dodson posted fast but windy double at Jack Christiansen Invitational 10.00 (+4.5) and 20.37 (+3.2). In both events second Joe Morris 10.09 and 20.45.
WESTWOOD: Relay olympic silver medalist Bryshon Nellum improved his 200 m best to 20.37 (+0.9) at the Dual Meet in California. World leader Julian Wruck of Australia another solid throw 65.31 in discus. Canadian Aaron Brown won the 100m in 10.24 (+0.5) ahead of Beejay Lee of USA who clocked 10.25 PB at age of 20. Another 20 years old Brea Buchanan clocked her first sub 13 in the 100 m hurdles with 12.95 (+1.3).
LA JOLLA: Good throwing at the Triton Invitational. Brazilian Ronald Juliao achieved his second best ever discus 65.12 (his national mark is 65.41) ahead of Dutch Rutger Smith 63.56, Estonian Mart Israel 62.80 and US Jarred Rome 62.56. In the shot put Tim Nedow of Canada improved to 20.74. Another Canadian win for Sarah Wells in the 400 m hurdles 56.94.
SAN DIEGO: Fred Taylor posted sprinting double at the PacWest Championships with 10.23 (+1.1) and 20.75 (+1.1). In the 100 m second Croatian Dario Horvat 10.28 new personal best.
RADFORD: Slovak Marcel Lomnicky won the hammer at the Radford Invite with good 77.06, his second best ever mark. German Martina Schultze cleared 443 in women pole vault.
OTHER ROAD RESULTS
MADRID (ESP, Apr 28): Kenyan Francis Kiprop clocked new course record 2:10:37 at the Rock’n Roll Maratón de Madrid with 26 000 participants. Second another Kenyan Nixon Kurgat 2:10:53. Both under the previous record 2:10:54 of Moses Arusei in 2011. Top Spanish runner Rafael Igleasias was 8th in 2:16:11. Spanish women win for Vanessa Veiga 2:36:38. Arturo Casado won the 10 km in 30:22 ahead of Jesus Espana 31:05.
KYIV (UKR, Apr 28): Hot weather in Ukraine was not in favor for top results at the 4th Kyiv International Marathon. Ukrainians have won both men and women categories. 39-years old Andriy Naumov in 2:19:17 and Tetyana Rybalchenko with 2:44:41.
BIRSTONAS (LTU, Apr 27): At the traditional walking meet the 20 km went to home walker Marius Ziukas 1:23:43. In the women 10 km Latvian Agnese Pastare got 45:19 ahead of home Brigita Virbalyte 45:29.
BELVES (FRA, Apr 27): Spanish ultra runner Asier Cuevas won the European 100 km title in 6:53.14. Women winner was Kajsa Berg from Sweden 7:38:52 as 29th overall. Team titles for Spanish men and Russian women.
LOUISVILLE (USA, Apr 27): At Kentucky Derby Marathon Festival Ashaw Getachew won in 2:19:50 over Birhanu Tadesse 2:20:20. In women race Megyan Shagena posted 2:58:45. Half marathon winners were Pius Nyantika of Kenya 1:03:16 and Etaferahu Temesgan 1:15:37.
CHIA (ITA, Apr 28): European medalist Daniele Meucci won the 2nd Chia Laguna Half Marathon in 1:07:45 ahead of Wilson Busienei of Uganda 1:08:54 and third Giovanni Ruggiero 1:10:18. Valeria Straneo as women winner achieved 1:13:50 ahead of Silvia Kibiego 1:17:47. Ruggero Pertile won in 34:40 the 10 km race over Migidio Bourifa 34:42 while Deborah Toniolo was the best woman in 39:55.
NAUMBURG (GER, Apr 28): Hagen Pohle won the German 20 km walk title in 1:22:37 personal best but was not the overall winner. Top position holder Quentin Rew from New Zealand posted also personal best 1:22:16. Third overall Christopher Linke 1:23:37 (he is 50 km specialist) over Carl Dohmann 1:23:55. Anne Halkivaha from Finland won the women 20 km in 1:35:17 life-time best. Women were not competing for the German title.
KRAKOW (POL, Apr 28): Patrick Nyangero from Tanzania won the 12th Cracovia Maraton in 2:19:08. The best woman was not having sub 3 hours time.
LUZERN (SUI, Apr 27): In the 36th Luzern City Run Kenyan Patrick Ereng repeated his last year win at 8.7 km in 25:20. Second in Swiss living Eritrean Abraham Tadesse 25:23 and third Ukrainian Roman Romanenko also 25:23. In the women 4.2 km Kenyans dominated. Cynthia Kosgei 13:35, Lucy Macharia 13:42 and Tabitha Wambui 13:43. Fourth Poland´s marathon specialist Karolina Jarzynska 13:44.
LAUSANNE (SUI, Apr 28): Winners of 20 km road race in the olympic city were Kenyans Bernard Matheka 1:00:37 and Eunice Kioko 1:09:34.
ROMA (ITA, Apr 28): Rwanda´s Eric Sebahire won the 15th Via Appia Run at the 13 km in 38:19. Moroccan Hanane Janat as the best woman achieved 45:57.
OSLO (NOR, Apr 27): At 10 km Sentrumsløpet on the road Sweden´s Mikael Ekvall won in 29:22, in women category US Annie Bersagel 33:21.
BARCELONA (ESP, Apr 28): At Sagrada Familia Mile wins for Abdelaziz Merzogui 4:20 and Solange Pereira 4:51. In second places Alberto Sabado 4:21 and Isabel Macias 4:52. Juan Carlos Higuero finished 6th in 4:24.
