by Larry Eder
Bolt wins in 10.12
RIO DE JANEIRO (BRA, Apr 19): Usain Bolt clocked in his first 100 m of the year 10.12 to win the Mano a Mano race at the Jockey Club in Rio de Janeiro. Second Ryan Bailey 10.24, third Jose Carlos Moreira 10.51 and fourth Churandy Martina from Netherlands 10.53. “My preparation is going well, today the start was not good, but I will be getting there, just need more races,” says Bolt for TV Globo after the race. His next competition should be at IAAF World Relays in Nassau in 4×100 m for Jamaica. At specially constructed blue straight at the horse racing course Veronica Campbell-Brown achieved fast 11.04 to win the women 100 m over her rival Carmelita Jeter 11.19, another Jamaican Kerron Stewart 11.30 and home Vitoria Rosa 11.59. Richard Browne from USA was the best in para 100 m in 10.88.
Nettey 698, Henderson 850
WALNUT (USA, Apr 18): Great jumping highlighted the 57th MtSAC Relays. New Canadian long jump record and World leading 698 (0.0) by Christabel Nettey in long jump. More World leading marks in jumps by Jeff Henderson 850 PB (+1.8) in the long jump (ahead of Japanese Yohei Sugai 818 +1.3 and Prem Kumar of India 804 +1.3) and Chinese Zhang Guowei in high jump also life-time best 235 cm. European medalist Ekaterini Stefanidi won women pole vault with 450 and in the high jump of high school girls the 11th grader Vashti Cunningham cleared 194 cm, adding a quarter-inch to the national prep record held by Amy Acuff and Toni Young and equal the American Junior Record held by Tanya Hughes. Duane Solomon tried for fast 600 m time and won in 1:15.44 over Boris Berian 1:16.14. In sprints Jenna Prandini won the 200 m in world leading 22.42 PB (+0.1) over Phyllis Francis 22.70, English Gardner 22.74 and Kimberlyn Duncan 22.83. Also to note high school winner Lauryn Rain Williams 23.19 (+1.5). In the 100 m Prandini equaled the World lead in super PB 10.92 (+1.4) ahead of Ana Silva of Brazil with South American record 11.01, Muna Lee 11.02 and Kimberlyn Duncan 11.13 over Mikele Barber 11.17. In the men 200 m Canadian Andre De Grasse improved to 20.16 (+0.3) ahead of Jamaican Jermaine Brown 20.51. Aleec Harris equaled his world leading 13.23 (+1.8) over the hurdles ahead of Trinidad´s Mikel Thomas 13.32 with World medalist Ryan Wilson 5th in 13.57. World junior medalist Dior Hall improved to 12.89 (+1.8) at 100 m hurdles as winner and now is missing only 0.05 to the World junior record. Second Panama´s Yvette Lewis 13.05 and fifth Brianne Theisen-Eaton 13.24. In another race Lindsay Lindley now running for Nigeria new PB 12.97 (+1.3). The 100 m were wind-aided Andre De Grasse 9.87 (+4.0) over Beejay Lee 9.96, Remontay McClain 9.96 and Joe Morris 9.99. Patrick Feeney won the 400 m in 45.60, Canadian Brandon McBride the 800 m 1:46.28, in the women 800 m Brenda Martinez 2:00.83. In relays USC with Lee, De Grasse, Thymes and Mercado clocked 38.98 over HSI/Nike with Tyson Gay as first runner 39.14. Jack Rabbitt Elite (Howell, K. Butler, Hugue, Nellum) clocked 3:03.14 in men 4×400 m. In the women 4×100 m Nike (White, Gardner, Duncan, Okagbare) 43.05 with Track Master team (Harper, Felix, Tarmoh, Crawford) third 43.59. In the 4×400 m Track Master squad (K. Carter, Felix, Howell, Rodriguez) won in 3:30.84 over Brazil 3:32.22. From throws Jeneva Stevens wins the shot 18.63 outdoor PB over Brittany Smith 18.52 and Raven Saunders 18.23 new North American junior record. Canadian Sultana Frizell topped the hammer 72.52 over Stevens 71.46 and Ariana Ince was the best in javelin with 59.84 PB over Brazilian Jucylene Lima 59.80.
Nkanata 20.14 NR, WL
CLAREMONT (USA, Apr 18): Kenyan Carvin Nkanata was the biggest surprise at Pure Athletics Elite Meet with new world leading and national record 20.14 (+1.9) in the 200 m, behind him Isiah Young 20.33 and Briton James Ellington 20.49. Another World lead in women 100 m hurdles by European Champion Tiffany Porter 12.56 (+1.8) ahead of Briton Lucy Hatton 12.84 PB and Jacqueline Coward 12.93 (12.85 +1.5 in heats). In other race Finland´s Nooralotta Neziri windy 12.69 (+2.6) with Briton Serita Solomon also 12.69. The 100 m sprints were mostly wind-aided. In the men final Keston Bledman of Trinidad 9.94 (+3.4) ahead of Gerald Phiri from Zambia 10.00 and Kemar Hyman also 10.00, fourth Sven Knipphals of Germany 10.07. In the heats the fastest legal time Nickel Ashmeade 10.04 (+1.9). European Champion Dafne Schippers won the women final in 10.90 (+3.9) beating Simone Facey of Jamaica 11.04 and German Tatjana Pinto 11.07. Sub 11 windy in heats for Tori Bowie 10.94 (+2.2, second Schippers 11.03) and Shalonda Solomon 10.97 (+3.8). In the 200 m Solomon in first race 22.44 (+2.1) but in second race legal 22.50 (+1.6) for Shaunae Miller of Bahamas ahead of Charonda Williams 22.76. Miller also topped the 400 m in 51.83. Machel Cedenio from Trinidad won the men 400 m in 45.09 PB with Michael Mathieu of Bahamas second 45.33. Jack Green of Great Britain in his first race since July 2013 clocked 50.23 to win the 400 m hurdles. The 110 m hurdles wind aided by +2.1 as Jason Richardson got 13.31 and Jeff Porter 13.44. In heat David Oliver 13.19 (+2.5) ahead of Richardson 13.32 and Porter 13.40. British long jump wins by Dan Bramble 821 (+1.8, huge PB had before 791) and Shara Proctor 677 (+1.8). In the men long jump second Ignisious Gaisah of Netherlands 819 (+1.9) and third triple Olympic winner Christian Taylor 818 (+1.8). Triple winner Brandon Roulhac 16.75 (+1.8) and Keila Costa of Brazil 14.06 (+2.0). Brazil in 39.02 beat Germany 39.06 in 4×100 m.
Okolo 50.99 WL
WACO (USA, Apr 18): Lightning in the area during the evening portion of the meet created a delay as the stadium was cleared and eventually led to the remainder of the meet being cancelled. Writes the website of Michael Johnson Classic meet at Clyde Hart Stadium. But before that Courtney Okolo in World leading 50.99 at 400 m beat Kendall Baisden 51.22 and Olympic winner Sanya Richards-Ross 51.49. Bershawn Jackson posted fast 48.61 at 400 m hurdles ahead of Miles Ukaoma from Nigeria 49.25. In the men 100 m Trayvon Bromell equaled his own World lead 10.02 (+0.7) over Bahama´s Chavez Hart 10.10 PB, Jamaican Senoy Givans 10.15 and Quentin Butler 10.17 PB. Trinidad´s Deon Lendore topped the 400 m in 45.14 ahead of Brazilians Hederson Estefani 45.41 and Hugo Souza 45.43 with Olympic winner 2004 Jeremy Wariner 6th in 45.98. In B race Brazilian winner Pedro de Oliveira clocked national junior record 45.68. Also to note Tiffani McReynolds 12.93 (-0.4) over the hurdles and Demi Payne who cleared 430 in first in pole vault and could not continue due to weather.
SUNDAY TOP ROAD RACES
YANGZHOU (CHN, Apr 19): Four runners finished under the hour mark at the 10th Yangzhou International Marathon. After winning the highly competitive RAK half marathon, Ethiopia’s Mosinet Geremew continued his great start to 2015 by taking the Yangzhou title in a course record of 59:52, beating the previous mark of 1:00:08. It was also a Chinese all-comers record. He was followed closely by Geoffrey Kirui (59:55 PB), last year’s champion Nguse Amlosom (59:55) and Vincent Yator (59:55 PB). It was Kirui’s and Yator’s first time under 60 minutes. Following them was Tamirat Tola (1:00:08 PB), who finished 6th place at the 2015 World Cross; Hiskel Ghebru (1:00:29), Leul Alemu (1:00:34) and Mule Wasihun (1:00:42) with former banned Mathew Kisorio finishing 10th in 1:00:58. The women’s race was very close, with Kenya’s Flomena Cheyech just edging last year’s runner-up Worknesh Degefa by one second, 1:08:36 to 1:08:37. Four other athletes went sub 70: world cross country bronze medallist Netsanaet Gudeta (1:08:53), Purity Cherotich (1:09:00), Abebech Afework (1:09:14 PB) and Gladys Cheshir (1:09:17 PB). The Chinese women’s champion was He Yinli, who finished overall 10th in a time of 1:11:48.
LINZ (AUT, Apr 19): Kenya’s Antony Maratim and Sarah Jebet were the winners of the Borealis Linz Donau Marathon. Maratim, the 2014 Koln marathon winner, ran a PB of 2:09:39 to win the men’s race handsomely over his compatriot Alfred Kering (2:11:55). The top European was Switzerland’s Patrick Wieser in 6th with 2:17:20. Jebet was also a clear winner on the women’s side. Her winning time of 2:32:52 was well up on Irene Chepkirui’s 2:35:30. After the two Kenyans it was a European affair, with Karin Freitag of Austria leading the way in third with a time of 2:42:32.
LODZ (POL, Apr 19): Pre-race favourite Albert Matebor of Kenya won the Lodz Marathon in 2:11:49. He was followed by Ethiopians Dereje Tadesse (2:11:57) and Gelgelo Tona (2:12:08), who was also third last year. As in 2014, there was a home winner in the women’s race. This time it was Monika Stefanowicz, who ran 2:29:28 to beat her PB, which she set back in 2003. In winning the race she also clinched the Polish title. Next across the line was Agnieszka Mierzejewska (2:30:55), making it a Polish 1-2.
ZURICH (SUI, Apr 19): It was a good day for Japan at the Zurich Marathon, with Yoshiko Sakamoto winning the women’s race and serial racer Yuki Kawauchi finishing as the runner-up in the men’s race. Kenya’s Edwin Kemboi was first across the line, in a winning time of 2:11:35. Kawauchi followed in 2:12:13, with Ethiopia’s Gebre Ayenew (2:12:16) taking third. Sakamoto ran 2:37:47 to obliterate the women’s field. Triathlon Olympic winner Nicola Spirig was the runner-up in 2:46:09. The first European home in the men’s race was Russian record holder Aleksey Sokolov (9th, 2:14:45), his best marathon since 2012. Ireland’s Martin Fagan secured an Olympic qualifier, in racing 2:16:09 for 11th place.
ENSCHEDE (NED, Apr 19): Evans Cheruiyot of Kenya was the winner of the 47th Enschede Marathon. Cheruiyot clocked 2:09:40, his fastest time since 2011, to finish ahead of former Ethiopian steepler Kaleb Keshebo (2:09:44) and Kenya’s Edwin Kimaiyo, who showed a good improvement on his form from the last few years, running a PB of 2:09:47. Uganda’s Jackson Kiprop completed his first marathon since being diagnosed with serious kidney failure at the beginning of 2014, running 2:13:06 for 5th.
HANNOVER (GER, Apr 19): Jacob Cheshari and Souad Ait Salem won the 25th HAJ Hannover Marathon (IAAF Silver Label). Kenya’s Cheshari took his first marathon victory, crossing the finish line in 2:09:32, beating Ethiopia’s Chala Bekele who ran 2:09:42 in what, according to Tilastopaja, is his third marathon of the year. Martin Kosgei finished 3rd in 2:09:50, moving up one place on his 2014 position. Italy’s Dominico Ricatti was the top European, finishing 9th in 2:18:23. Algerian national record holder Souad Ait Salem successfully defended her women’s title, running significantly faster than in 2014. Her winning time of 2:27:21 was streets ahead of last year’s 2:33:09 and also came close to the course record of 2:27:07. Ii also equalled the 36 year old second best performance for the distance. Ukraine’s Olha Kotovska took 2nd in 2:29:13, also her second best marathon, while Mapaseka Makhanya of South Africa was third in a big PB of 2:31:02.
RABAT (MAR, Apr 19): Kenya’s Pamela Rotich and Justus Kimutai were the winners of the 1st Rabat international Marathon. Kimutai triumphed in a big new PB of 2:10:38. John Kemboi (2:10:59) and Abraham Derbai (2:11:36) made it a Kenyan 1-2-3. The top Moroccan was Adil Annani (4th, 2:12:00). Rotich continued her improvement over the marathon distance, running a PB of 2:30:25 to win the women’s race. She was followed by her compatriots Mercy Jemutai (2:31:20) and Agnes Cheserk (2:33:18), making it a Kenyan 1-2-3 in both races.
NAGANO (JPN, Apr 19): Henry Chirchir and Beatrice Jepkemoi Toroitich made it a Kenyan double at the Nagano Marathon. Chirchir, who won the Hannover marathon last year, ran 2:11:39 to just about get the better of Tomohiro Tanigawa of Japan, who improved his PB from 2:16:57 to 2:11:39, the same time as Chirchir. He was followed by a long string of Japanese athletes, with Kouhei Ogino (2:11:42), Takuya Fukatsu (2:11:48) and Taigo Ito (2:12:04) the other high placers. Jepkemboi ran 2:34:02 to win the women’s race by three and a half minutes over Eri Ookubo of Japan (2:37:30.). Two time world marathon champion Catherine Ndereba ran 2:50:52 in her first marathon since the 2012 Nagoya Marathon. It is the 42 year olds slowest marathon to date.
PADOVA (ITA, Apr 19): Kenyan Robert Kiplimo won the 16th St. Antonio Marathon in 2:09:32. Second Pierre-Celestin Nihorimebere of Burundi 2:15:35 and third Italian Giovanni Gualdi 2:16:15. Best woman Nancy Waigumu from Kenya 2:41:28 over Italians Simona Santini 2:43:41 and Claudia Gelsomino 2:46:16.
US SATURDAY (Apr 18)
BATON ROUGE: NCAA Indoor 400 m champion Vernon Norwood improved at LSU Alumni Gold meet to 44.44, second fastest in the world this year. Olympic silver medalist 2008 Richard Thompson of Trinidad and Tobago clocked fast 10.04 (+1.0) in the 100 m ahead of Justin Walker 10.12 PB and Aaron Ernest 10.14 PB. Tremayne Acy won the windy 200 m in 20.51 (+2.6) with Thompson 5th 21.01. In women hurdles also windy but fast 12.54 (+3.1) for Jasmin Stowers over Tenaya Jones 12.76. Jada Martin won the 100 m in life-time best 11.34 (+0.1), Charlene Lipsey the 800 m 2:01.04 and Ellen Wortham 400 m hurdles 56.68. In men sections Jordan Moore 13.67 (+1.3) PB high hurdles, Quincy Downing 49.91 PB 400 m hurdles, Jamaican Damar Forbes 783 (+1.4) In the long jump and Rodney Brown 63.48 in discus. LSU posted in relays 39.11 and 3:02.79. Indoor weight throw number one Michael Lihrman improved in hammer to 74.08.
AUBURN: Bahamian sprinting wins at War Eagle Invitational. Teray Smith 20.54 (+0.9) in men 200 m, World junior champion 2012 Anthonique Strachan women 200 m 22.89 (+1.2) and Sheniqua Ferguson 11.27 (+0.5, faster 11.21 +1.9 in heats) in the 100 m. Already 32-years old World finalist Marc Burns clocked his fastest 100 m since 2012 with 10.17 (+0.7). In the hurdles William Barnes 13.56 (+1.6) PB over Ty Akins 13.58 and Jamaican Kimberley Laing personal best 12.95 (+0.9).
ATLANTA: At Georgia Tech Invite nice improvement for Bahamian last year junior Steven Gardiner to 45.24 ahead of Christopher Giesting 45.95. Gardiner is in his first 400 m season. Tevin Hester double in sprints 10.31 (+0.3) and 20.65 (+0.8).
CHARLOTTESVILLE: Croatian throwing talent Filip Mihaljevic (20) improved at Virginia Challenge after discus also in shot put to 20.16, second Dillon Simon national record for Dominica 19.87. Canadian 18-years old junior Justyn Knight won the 1500 m in 3:39.66 personal best. Kiara Porter improved in women 200 m to 23.27 (+1.8), Canadian Nicole Sifuentes won the 1500 m in 4:09.35 and 20-years old sister of European Champion Tiffany Porter, Cindy Ofili won the hurdles in 12.98 (+1.7).
CHAMPAIGN: Illinois Twilight saw DJ Zahn winning the 200 m in 20.63 (-0.1) and discus US record holder Gia Lewis-Smallwood still attacking the 60 m with 58.33.
NORMAN: John Teeters posted 10.20 (+0.2) in the 100 m at John Jacobs Invitational. In women long jump Quanesha Burks who was World junior finalist last year in Eugene improved to 663 (+0.5).
EUGENE: At Oregon Relays good double for Canadian Annie Leblanc in 2:04:49 and 4:16.17. She beat interesting runners, Treniere Moser 2:04.96 and Mary Cain (first race since Millrose Games indoors) 4:17.91.
OTHER TRACK RESULTS
RIO DE JANEIRO (BRA, Apr 18): Jose Carlos Moreira won in 10.43 in the qualification race for Sunday competition with Usain Bolt. He will join Bolt, Ryan Bailey and Churandy Martina on the start line. Second Sandro Viana 10.54. Women winner only 19 years old Vitoria Rosa in 11.80. She will run with Carmelita Jeter, Veronica Campbell-Brown and Kerron Stewart.
BARINAS (VEN, Apr 17-18): At National Championships Yulimar Rojas leaped to two national records 657 (0.0) in the long jump and 14.18 (+1.8) in triple jump. Men long jump 782 by Diego Hernandez, pole vault talent Robeilys Peinado cleared 435 in the pole vault. Freddy Mezones topped men 400 m in 45.53 ahead of Albert Bravo 46.13.
SAO BERNARDO (BRA, Apr 18): Darlan Romani confirmed at local good shot put shape with 20.82 m. New high jump PB for Talles Souza Silva 228 cm.
PONCE (PUR, Apr 18): Final day of Justus Lai meet had Gustavo Cuesta of Dominican Republic winning the 400 m in 45.33 PB as top name Luguelin Santos false started. In the 200 m Cuesta won in 21.12 (-1.4) over Santos 21.42. Younger brother Juander Santos won the 400 m hurdles in another PB 50.47.
PORT OF SPAIN (TTO, Apr 18): In the President´s Classic meet Emmanuel Callender won the 100 m in 10.23 (+1.7).
OTHER ROAD RESULTS
MINSK (BLR, Apr 19): Yuriy Kapterov (46:56) and Anastasiya Dashkevich (56:57) won 15 km road race at Minsk Rock’n’Roll Athletic Run which was held in Kurasovshchina Park.
BRUSSELS (BEL, Apr 19): Kenyan road World record holder Leonard Komon won the inaugural Brussels 10 km road race in 32:23. More than 4000 runners took part.
KRAKOW (POL, Apr 19): Ukrainian Taras Salo won the 14th Krakow Marathon in 2:17:03. Best woman Kenyan Hellen Jepkosgei 2:43:04.
PADOVA (ITA, Apr 19): Kenyan Robert Kiplimo won the 16th St. Antonio Marathon in 2:09:32. Second Pierre-Celestin Nihorimebere of Burundi 2:15:35 and third Italian Giovanni Gualdi 2:16:15. Best woman Nancy Waigumu from Kenya 2:41:28 over Italians Simona Santini 2:43:41 and Claudia Gelsomino 2:46:16.
BONN (GER, Apr 19): Ethiopian winners at Bonn Marathon with Lemma Siyoum 2:16:32 and Adanalech Mamo 2:45:22.
NAUMBURG (GER, Apr 19): Nils Brembach won the Naumburg 20 km walk as national champion in PB and Beijing qualifier 1:21:21. Second Hagen Pohle also qualified for Beijing 1:21:34. Third Carl Dohmann 1:22:24. Ecuador´s guest Paolo Saquipay won the women 20 km in 1:32:14 with German title for 7th Lea Dederichs 1:41:40.
AIX-LES-BAINS (FRA, Apr 19): French 10 km road champions Hassan Chahdi 29:33 and Jacqueline Gandar 34:08.
STRESA (ITA, Apr 19): Fast times at the 8th Lago Maggiore Half Marathon. Kenyan Solomon Yego 1:00:47 over Festus Talam 1:00:56 and Jairus Cosmas Birech 1:01:05. Best Ethiopian 5th Temesgen Ejerssa 1:01:38. Sutume Kebede clocked as best woman 1:09:07 over Kenyan Leonidah Mosop 1:10:18 and third Geneta Kabela 1:11:17.
AS (NOR, Apr 18): Winners at Norwegian Cross Country Championships on short course were Heide Martinssen (2 km, 6:51) and Erik Udo Pedersen (3 km,8:39).
BURSA (TUR, Apr 19): Kenyan Maurine Kipchumba in 52:35 won the women 10th Bursa 15 km road race. Yoannis Bekele Jida topped men in 43:46, second in the same time Alemu Regasa and third Seid Egiso 45:24.
VITRY-SUR-SEINE (FRA, Apr 19): Kenyan Norbert Kigen won the Ivry Humarathon at the half-marathon distance in 1:01:02. Second Titus Kirwa 1:01:37 and third Geoffrey Koech 1:01:44. Top woman Bizunesh Gudeta 1:11:41 over Chaltu Negashu 1:11:50, both from Ethiopia.
LA CORUNA (ESP, Apr 19): Spain’s Manuel Angel won the men’s race at the Maraton Atlantica in La Coruna in 2:19:39.
MANCHESTER (GBR, Apr 19): Paul Martelletti of New Zealand and Georgie Bruinvels of Great Britain were the winners at the Greater Manchester Marathon. Martelletti completed the race in 2:17:44, with Ireland’s Eoin Callaghan running 2:18:41 as the runner-up. Bruinvels was a clear women’s winner in 2:37:16.
