by Larry Eder
Now, having watched Galen Rupp in the 10,000 meters on Friday night, I was amazed to see his poise and just no wrong move. Galen has grown up as a racer and is confident in his strategy. The move over the last 850 meters was perfect. His AR was so within himself. Our intern, Kevin Mangan had this to say, ” Galen looked like he had done a 9 kilometer tempo run, then raced a kilometer.” The 4:08 last mile with the first two laps of that last mile in 65-66 let you know that Galen Rupp can now put the peddle to the proverbial metal.
Rupp 26:44.36 AR, WL
EUGENE (USA, May 30): World leads in men 10 000 m (including American record) and women long jump added with women discus meet record highlighted the Friday Night at Hayward Field before some 9000 spectators. Olympic silver medalist Galen Rupp broke his own American record, winning the most competitive 10,000m race in the world so far this year in a world-leading 26:44.36. His mark, the second fastest ever on U.S. soil, surpassed his own American record of 26:48.00 set at the Memorial Van Damme meeting in Brussels in 2011, it is also 7th best national record. “Honestly, I wasn’t looking at a time until about a quarter mile to go, a lap to go,” Rupp told reporters after the race. “Other than that, I was just worried about competing. You know, I felt great the whole race.” Writes Race Results Weekly. In an TV interview Rupp confirmed his next race is Bislett Games 5000 m.
Event by event
men
800 m (non DL): Kenyan Job Kinyor good 1:44.70 over US duo Greer 1:45.30 and Sowinski 1:45.64.
10 000 m (non DL): Behind Rupp three more clocked sub 27: Paul Tanui 26:49.41, Bidan Karoki 26:52.36 and Stephen Sambu 26:54.61, life-time bests for all. Only European in the race French Bob Tahri 12th 27:57.52
SP: Hoffa confirmed increased shape with 5th round 21.64 winning effort, in last round Kovacs 21.46 over Cantwell 21.38. Oly winner Majewski 5th 20.59.
women
800 m (non DL): World indoor champ Chanelle Price won with 2:00.38, super talent Mary Cain 8th 2:02.31. Poland´s Cichocka fifth 2:00.90.
LJ: Superb battle with 682 enough only for fifth (Bowie 682,+0.7). Second best attempt decided between Spanovic (688 NR, +1.5, 686+1.9) and Klishina (688 +0.6, 681 +2.5), both equaled Klishina´s WL from Tokyo meet. Third Lesueur 687 (+1.0) and fourth Oly and World winner Reese 686 (+1.6).
DT: Perkovic confirmed clear position with 69.32 meet record. But top improvement for young German Craft 65.38 as second.
James beats Merritt by 4 thousands
EUGENE (USA, May 31): Super Saturday at the 40th Prefontaine Classic (IAAF Diamond League) under blue skies and nice temperature. In total in 13 events World leading marks 2014 and in total of 7 events Meet records (counting also Friday). Sensations by Bowie and Martinot-Lagarde, not winning by Kiprop, Merritt (that was close), Aman, Alamirew, Oliver, Okagbare and Aregawi was not expected. Shelly-Ann is not totally fit and Rudisha had a comeback after a long time. Full crowd (13 150) enjoyed it very much, Hayward Field is always very special. Next this year NCAA Champs and World Juniors.
Event by event
Men
100 m: Gatlin was flying again with windy 9.77 (+2.6), but they were closer as before Rodgers 9.80, Vicaut 9.89, Carter 9.89.
400 m: The male duel of the day James beat Merritt by 0.004 (43.963 and 43.967). Very special of course WL, for James 3rd sub 44 and for Merritt 5th sub 44 of the career.
800 m: Amos topped the bill unexpectedly with 1:43.63 WL and MR, Aman second 1:43.99, but then Kaki, Bosse (1:44.44 EL), Kszczot, Lewandowski all over Rudisha in comeback 1:44.87 after a brave race.
Bowerman mile: WL and MR but not by Kiprop (7th 3:50.26), but by Souleiman 3:47.32 also NR (fastest since 2007 and US All-Comers), second S. Kiplagat 3:47.88 PB, third Wote 3:48.60 Ethiopian record, also sub 3:50 with PB´s Iguider 3:49.09, Magut 3:49.43 and Cheboi 3:49.56. Also Centrowitz PB, Cronje NR. Oly winner Makhloufi 11th still PB. Ingebrigtsen 13th 3:53.62 EL and PB.
5000 m: Ndiku is the man of the year, after Sopot another great win in 13:01.71 WL, PB (last lap 54.7) over Shanghai winner Alamirew 13:02.91 and Soi 13:04.92. Gebrhiwot only 7th.
110mH: French sensation PML in WL 13.13 (+0.8) over Parchment 13.20 and World champ Oliver 13.21. Eaton as 6th equaled his PB 13.35.
PV: In swirling winds Lavilllenie as only one mastered 580 and has now two DL wins.
TJ: Here wind helped, Claye 17.66 (+0.8) MR over Taylor 17.42 (+2.6, best legal 16.80) and Adams 17.29 (+1.4) EL.
JT: Vesely is back to winning 83.75, here again tough wind conditions. Thorkildsen opened his season with 80.52 as second.
Women
200 m: Top sensation of the day long jumper/sprinter Tori Bowie from lane 1 won in 22.18 (+1.5) WL over Okagbare 22.23 PB and Felix 22.44. SAFP not totally healthy as 8th 23.06.
400 m: Novlene this time ruled clearly in 50.40 over fast finishing McCorory 50.53. Montsho this time only 5th 50.73, SRR was again faster 51.19 as 6th.
1500 m: Aregawi lost for first time since August 2012 (Stockholm meet) after 14 final wins in a row (in or out) but with a superb 3:57.57, her career 3rd fastest. But Obiri is in superb shape and won in 3:57.05 MR and WL (also US All-Comers). Third Kipyegon 3:58.01, fourth Simpson 3:58.28 PB and fifth Dutch Hassan European U23 record and national senior record 3:59.38. Sixth 800 m World champ Sum 4:01.54 PB.
2 miles (non-DL): Mercy Cherono clocked third fastest performance (only twice Defar better) with 9:13.27 WL, NR, MR. Close behind her Kibiwot 9:13:48 PB and Belete Asian record 9:13.85. Fourth Rowbury American record 9:20.25 over Kipyego 9:22.10. Poland´s Plis as 12th 9:42.23 EL.
Steeple: Africans paid attention to Coburn who was third in 9:17.84 PB. But Assefa won in WL, MR 9:11.39 over Ayalew 9:12.89. Best Kenyan P. Kirui as fifth 9:29.18. Chemos did not finish.
400mH: Spencer has the experience and won in WL 54.29.
HJ: Despite opening her year (she missed indoor) Chicherova showed nice attempts and won with 201 WL. Behind her Kasprzycka and Beitia 199 with Kuchina 197.
