A crazy weekend of track and field, from Des Moines, Iowa, to Gateshead, England to Nairobi, Kenya. Germany has lead in the European Athletics Team Championships. Mo Farah ran 50.8 last lap to win the 5,000 meters…some interesting results from Kenya Championships. 

EUROPEAN LEADS IN RELAY, GERMANY FIRST

GATESHEAD (GBR, Jun 22): European Athletics writes that the rain stayed away, the fans came out in their thousands, and Germany, the team that reigned the first time the European Athletics Team Championships took place in 2009, are in charge after the opening day in Gateshead. Germany has 195 one point ahead of Russia 194. Third home side 181. Again with margin fourth Poland 166 but France is close 164.5 as is Ukraine 160.5. Then Spain 123.5 and Italy 123. Also looking safe Turkey as 9th 102 and three teams in the relegation positions Greece 76, Belarus 75.5 and Norway 67. Two relay European leads ended the competition with Britain 38.39 over Germany 38.69 and Ukraine 42.62 again ahead of Germany 43.15. In the men competition clear last lap (50.8) for Mo Farah 14:10.00 at the 5000 m, German Silvio Schirrmeister beat Dai Greene at 400 m hurdles (49.15 PB to 49.39). Jimmy Vicaut was unlucky with wind as his 10.28 were against -4.1 wind. Russian Vladimir Krasnov won the 400 m in 45.69 ahead of Nigel Levine 45.88. Great 836 by Russian Aleksandr Menkov was the best long jumping (+1.9). Second Luis Tsatoumas 812 and third oly winner Greg Rutherford 802 (+2.6). Bohdan Bondarenko beat on count-back Mickael Hanany 228. In throws David Storl beat Tomasz Majewski 20.47 to 20.29 and Pawel Fajdek got the hammer 77.00. On the women side good British wins for Perri Shakes-Drayton 50.50 PB in the 400 m (over Russian Kseniya Zadorina 51.07), junior Jessica Judd 2:00.82 in the 800 m (again Russian beaten Yekaterina Sharmina 2:00.86) and another PB for Eilidh Child 54.42 in the 400 m hurdles. Russian wins for Yelena Korobkina 9:01.45 3000 m and Natalya Aristarkhova 9:30.64 lifetime best in steeple. Eurowinner Olesya Povkh got the 100 m and battled with wind 11.51 (-4.3). In technical events Silke Spiegelburg cleared 460 to win the pole vault with Russian Anzhelika Sidorova second 455 PB, Olha Saladukha clearly triple for Ukraine 14.49 (+0.9), French Melina Robert-Michon surprisingly 63.75 in discus and Christina Obergfoll 62.64 in javelin (with World champ Mariya Abakumova only fourth 57.09).

CZECHS LEADING

DUBLIN (IRL): Going along the expected lines, the Czech Republic stamped their authority on day one of the European Athletics Team Championships 1st League at the Morton Stadium with 195 points. Second Romania 167 and third Sweden 162.5 points. Portugal staged a late recovery to finish the day fourth with 148.5, just two points ahead of the Netherlands. Riding on some enthusiastic home support and impressive performances from a very young squad, hosts Ireland finished in the top half with 139 points. Zuzana Hejnova, who was competing in the flat 400m instead of her specialized 400m hurdles, had little problem in winning the race in 51.90. Her team-mate Denisa Rosolova, effortlessly stepped into the shoes of Hejnova and nailed the 400m hurdles clocking 55.34. Romania’s Angela Morosanu finished second in 56.67. Veteran high jumper Jaroslav Baba coolly leaped over 2.20m on his first attempt but even with all his experience he could not negotiate the next height of 2.25m in taxing weather conditions. In changing winds Jirina Svobodova got the pole vault with 440. Shot putter Ladislav Prasil delivered when it mattered most 20.62 in last round.  The biggest cheer of the day was naturally saved for home star Brian Gregan who stormed to an emphatic victory in the 400m clocking 46.32. In the absence of former European champion Kevin Borlee, who withdrew due to an injury. Bulgaria’s European 100m champion Ivet Lalova showed her class braving an almost impossible headwind of -5.5 to clock 11.79 to win the women’s 100m ahead of an equally impressive Katerina Chechova of the Czech Republic who achieved 11.85 (and helped 4×100 m to win 44.20) ahead of Swedish talent Irene Ekelund 11.95. The Netherland’s Churandy Martina, like Hejnova, delivered on his promise taking the 100m in 10.46 (-3.6, also relay 39.14) ahead of top European junior Denis Dimitrov of Bulgaria who clocked 10.76. Eero Haapala won the long jump 796 (+2.8) over Swedish star Michel Torneus 795 (+4.1). Olympic winner Krisztian Pars got the hammer 76.56. In the strong wind nice PB 9:07.04 by Dutch Susan Kuijken. Finland with 130 points leads the bottom half at the end of day one, with Bulgaria at 114 and Belgium 112.5 taking the eighth and ninth spot respectively. Hungary (109), Estonia (108) and Switzerland (102) will have to come up with very strong performanceson Sunday if they have to have any chance of avoiding relegation to the 2nd League.

PERKOVIC 65.77 BEST OF THE DAY

KAUNAS (LTU, Jun 22): Home side Lithuania and Slovenia are on course for promotion after first day at the European Team Championships Second League in Kaunas in 22-25 temperature and side winds. The leaders are having 120 and 118 points with Serbia distant third 103 followed by Croatia 93. Austria as fifth 88 in relegation space with Denmark 85 and Israel 81. For Cyprus as 8th the margin with 67 points is too big at the moment. Lithuania and Slovenia scored majority of wins 14 out of 21 events (8:6). But the top result of the day came from discus olympic winner Sandra Perkovic for Croatia with 65.77 ahead of home Zinaida Sendriute 63.03. That was the top women discus results from all leagues. Also to note 14.07 for Snezana Rodic of Slovenia in the triple jump (-0.1) and another high quality mark from Slovenian Martina Ratej 62.60 in javelin (also 62.52 in series). On men side best results of the day from Serbians Asmir Kolasinac 20.37 in shot put and Emir Bekric 49.98 at 400 m hurdles. In the men 400 m new PB for Denmark´s Nick Ekelund-Arenander 45.93. 2008 Olympic winner Primoz Kozmus won the hammer for Slovenia 72.92. Lithuania was strong in women running events. Lina Grincikaite 11.31 (+0.5) at the 100 m, Agne Serksniene 52.81 in the 400 m, Egle Balciunaite 2:03.83 in the 800 m and Egle Stasiunaite 57.75 at 400 m hurdles. In the men sprints two wins for Lithuania Rytis Sakalauskas 10.44 (+0.3) and 39.83 4×100 m relay. In women relay Slovenia beat Lithuania 44.73 to 44.84. But also in jumps the leaders prevailed Arvidas Stanys won high jump 221 and Marius Rudys long jump 774 (+1.6, over Morten Jensen 774 on second best 773 to 762) for Lithuania. Slovenian record holder Tina Sutej got the pole vault 430 and Marisa Mismas Slovenian steeple record 9:58.93. Austrian runners won two events, Andreas Vojta the 1500 m 3:50.53 and in Australia living Brent Rowe the 5000 m 14:09.30. Serbian Sonja Stolic clocked9:27.69 to top the 3000 m race.

HINKRISDOTTIR (17) REMARKABLE 2:01.17 800 M

BANSKA BYSTRICA (SVK, Jun 22): In sizzling heat (over 30 degrees and nearly no wind) Slovakia leads after first day with 278.5 points in Third League with clear goal on Sunday to celebrate the promotion. Second Moldova 247.5 with third Latvia 246.5 closely fighting for second promotion spot. Then Luxembourg 213.5 and Iceland 210 as 4th and 5th. Followed by three nations at positions 6-8 with small margins: Georgia 173, Bosna Hercegovina 172 and Azerbaijan 171. Armenia is 9th 149 ahead of Monte Negro 10th 138. In the 11th place Malta 133.5 over Macedonia 109.5. Last three teams far behind Small States 86, Andorra 63 and Albania 32. The top result was new national record for Iceland by only 17 years old Anita Hinriksdottir in a solo race 2:01.17 in the 800 m. It is the best European youth mark of the year and second best in the world only behind US super talent Mary Cain (1:59.51).  Seven wins made the day for home team with 100 m record holder Adam Zavacky winning easily 10.52 (0.0) and helping the 4×100 m from third place to first as anchor in 40.78. Also hammer thrower Marcel Lomnicky produced good 74.98 in hammer. Dana Veldakova as expected 13.74 in triple, Lucia Slanickova 58.62 at 400 m hurdles, Slavomira Slukova 395 in pole vault and also women relay 46.13 were the other home winners. Moldova was good in races. Olesia Cojuhari good quality 52.65 in the 400 m, Alexei Cravenco 50.82 in the 400 m hurdles and Ion Siuris (3:49.80) with Roman Prodius (14:31.51) in the 1500 m and 5000 m. Latvia scored only 3 wins but had good average of top marks. Janis Lietis topped the 400 m (47.36), Madara Palameika javelin (57.07) and Elvijs Misans long jump (789). Georgia scored two wins with Salome Rigishvili women discus 52.47 and Zurab Gogochuri 220 high jump, also two wins for Luxembourg Bob Bertemes in shot put 18.02 NR and Tiffany Tshilumba 11.98 (0.0) women 100 m. Remaining two women first places for Azerbaijan (Tsehynesh Tsenga 9:31.74 3000 m) and Bosna (Biljana Cvijanovic 10:17.77 steeple).

OTHER RESULTS

NAIROBI (KEN, Jun 22): Kenyan Championships ended with Geoffrey Mutai winning the 10 000 m in 27:55.3 ahead of Josphat Bett 27:56.0 and Emmanuel Kipsang 27:59.7. Other top marks 1:44.9 by Job Kinyor in the 800 m ahead of Rotich Cheruiyot 1:45.1 and 1500 m olympic winner Asbel Kiprop 1:45.5. Augustine Choge won a fast 1500 m 3:34.7 ahead of James Magut 3:35.2 and Nixon Chepseba3:35.5. Kibet Koech was the steeple winner in 8:21.5 with Lawrence Kemboi second 8:25.0 and third Edwin Kirwa 8:25.2. Olympic finalist Isiah Koech topped the 5000 m in 13:30.4. In women events Hellen Obiri confirmed top shape with 4:05.3 1500 m win ahead of Mercy Cherono 4:06.3 and 2008 Olympic winner Nancy Langat 4:06.5. World leader Lydia Chepkirui clocked 9:38.6 in women steeple and Mary Wacer 16:03.7 in the 5000 m. Fast 800 m 2:00.1 by Winnie Chebet with Eunice Sum 2:00.1 and Sylvia Chesebe 2:00.8.

GATESHEAD (GBR, Jun 21): In the special 100 m Christophe Lemaitre clocked 10.07 ahead of Dwain Chambers 10.17 and Harry Aikines-Aryeetey 10.26.

SAARIJARVI (FIN, Jun 22): Ivan Zaytsev of Uzbekistan won the javelin with 82.96.

SCHWEINFURT (GER, Jun 22): Danish sprinting super talent Kristoffer Hari (15) clocked two new national and youth records 10.37 (+1.0) and 21.16 (+0.2). His 100 m is also the fastest in the World 2013 by a youth sprinter.

ROAD RESULTS

DULUTH (USA, June 22): US Half Marathon champions Mohamed Trafeh 1:01:17 and Adriana Nelson 1:11:19. Second Meb Keflezighi 1:01:22 ahead of Shadrack Biwott 1:02:24. Second woman Desiree Davila 1:11:26 and third Kelly Brinkman 1:11:33.

OLOMOUC (CZE, Jun 22): Kenyan Henry Kiplagat won the 2013 Mattoni Olomouc Half Marathon in 1:03:00 (27 degrees, no wind). Second John Kiprotich 1:03:22 and third Moroccan Mustapha El Aziz 1:03:36. Fifth Weldu Negash running for Norway 1:04:58. Women winner Betlehem Moges in 1:10:38 course record (by 2 seconds) and Yebrqal Melesse 1:10:43 second with Jane Kiptoo third 1:11:19. Best European Briton Susan Partridge fifth 1:14:53.

JUTERBOG (GER, Jun 22): Christopher Linke won the German track walking 10 000 m title in 39:13.38. Second Hagen Pohle 39:54.33 and third Christopher Gloger 39:54.34.

SAD NEWS

LINZ (AUT): At age of 85 died Austrian renowned Sports journalist Leo Strasser.