by Larry Eder
4 MEET RECORDS AND AGAIN GREAT DISTANCE RACES
RIETI (ITA, Sep 8): Despite initial financial difficulties the 43rd edition of Rieti Meeting (IAAF World Challenge) again showed its special fast distances and sprints picture. In a special 300 m in memory of legendary Pietro Mennea (clocked here in 1979 32.23 world best) Jamaican relay Moscow silver medalist Rusheen McDonald posted better time, meet record and world leading 31.97. Before the eyes of legendary guests Tommie Smith and Alberto Juantorena US sprinter Walter Dix surprised with 9.99 (+0.7) 100 m time, his first legal sub 10 since winning the US title in 2011. Behind him Dwain Chambers 10.09, Ryan Bailey 10.10 and Kim Collins 10.16. Other three meet records of the day in women events. Sally Pearson clocked 12.64 (+0.5) at 100 m hurdles, World champion Sandra Perkovic 66.12 in discus and silver medalist Anita Wlodarczyk 76.57 in hammer. In the discus Zaneta Glanc of Poland as second with 62.24 beat other world medalists Yareli Barrios 61.98 and Melina Robert-Michon 61.62. Again hammer World champion Tatyana Lysenko got second 73.90. Surprise in women high jump as Irina Gordeyeva cleared 199 (and tried at 201) and beat World silver winner and Olympic gold medalist Anna Chicherova 196. But the highest quality and depth as usual in distances. Musaeb Balla of Qatar clocked national record 1:43.93 when winning the 800 m ahead of Edwin Melly 1:44.49, US Brandon Johnson1:44.55 and Mark English of Ireland 1:44.89. Fifth Tamas Kazi got Hungarian record 1:45.37. Moscow 6th placer Silas Kiplagat confirmed top post World Champs shape with another win at 1500 m in 3:30.13, the fourth fastest of the year. Second world medalist Johan Cronje improved the South African record to 3:31.93. Third Morrocan Mohamed Moustaoui 3:32.08 and fourth Olympic 2008 medalist Nick Willis of New Zealand 3:32.57, his season fastest. The 3000 m had top 4 under 7:40 with Edwin Soi 7:36.53 ahead of Ben True of USA personal best 7:36.59 and Kenyan Cyrus Rutto also lifetime best7:37.57. In women 800 m 2009 World champion Caster Semenya finally showed her true face with fast season best 1:58.92. Second Nelly Jepkosgei coming from Brussels 1000 m world lead improved her best to 1:59.40 ahead of European Indoor Champion Nataliya Lupu1:59.52. Mercy Cherono got 8th fastest 3000 m time of the year8:35.97 ahead of Sylvia Kibet 8:37.47 PB and junior Agnes Tirop from Kenya also PB 8:39.13. Fourth Dutch Susan Kuijken improved her lifetime best to 8:39.65, European leading time 2013. In remaining sprints Rasheed Dwyer of Jamaica won the 200 m in 20.30 (+0.2) taking second Ukrainian Serhiy Smelyk to 20.39 personal best. In women 200 m top two clocked career fastest times, Jamaican relay world champion Carrie Russell 22.62 (-0.2) and British 400 m runner Margaret Adeoye 22.88. Fast 400 m was won by Moscow finalist Stephanie McPherson 50.00 and hurdler Kaliese Spencer who improved her best to 50.19. Briton Gianni Frankis won the hurdles in 13.63 (-0.2), Cuban Pedro Pichardo the triple (16.56, +0.3) and Olympic winner Tomasz Majewski the shot put 20.30. In hammer Olympic champion Krisztian Pars with 79.80 again beat World champion Pawel Fajdek 76.29.
