by Stuart WeirThe second day of the Muller Anniversary Games was held on 21 July, and the 30,000 fans were well entertained. Here’s the column by Stuart Weir, the last of his fine coverrage of the only two day DL in 2019.
Malaika Mihambo soars past 7 meters, photo by British Athletics / Getty Images
Cindy Ofili, photo by British Athletics/ Getty Images
Brits in Action Day 2
It was mixed bag for the GB athletes competing on day 2 of the Anniversary Games.
The Men’s 4 by 100 relay squad got the day off to a good start when they won the relay in a world lead time. It was a slick performance and don’t let’s dampen the euphoria by mentioning that it is quite early in the year and that the Americans and the Jamaicans – whom the Brits beat last time in the World Championship final!! – were absent. The British quartet should be in the medals in Doha.
GBR 4x100m relay, photo by British Athletics/ Getty Images
There were 5 Brits in the (non-diamond) women’s 800 meters. Lynsey Sharp won in 1:58.61. You can say it wasn’t the strongest field but you can only beat those in the race and it was a very respectable time. Alexandra Bell ran a PR and her first sub 2 minute time for third, Shelayna Oskan-Clark was 4th (also under 2 minutes) and Hannah Seagrave (sixth) ran a PR. Adelle Tracey fell in a tangle of legs just meters from the finish.
Lynsey Sharp, photo by British Athletics/ Getty Images
See separate post about the magnificent women’s 5000m. Laura Weightman followed her excellent runs in Eugene and Monaco (in the 3000m and mile) with a third PR in a month! She was 12th and Eilish McColgan 13th. Jess Judd also ran a PR in 17th.
5000m, photo by British Athletics/ Getty Images
Dina Asher-Smith was second in the 100m – see separate post – but none of the other five Brits in the event made the final. Fastest was Imani Lansiquot in 11.24 equal with Daryll Neita. Rachel Miller ran a PR of 11.44, not a great time but lovely to see her in a Diamond League. She ran 12.9 for 100m in 2006 (aged 16). She then had a son and returned to the sport 8 years later! I am sure there is more to come.
The Emsley Carr Mile, photo by British Athletes/Getty Images
There were eight Brits in the Emsley Carr mile. As we noted in the separate piece, Jake Wightman won the race a couple of years ago, ran 3 seconds faster this year and was only third. Chris O’Hare was seventh and Josh Kerr, with a PR was seventh. Piers Copeland and James West, further back also had PRs.
Emsley Carr Mile, photo by British Athletics/ Getty Images
Andy Pozzi was a disappointing sixth in the 110m hurdles but it is still 2 months to the World Champs.
Katerina Johnson-Thompson, photo by British Athletics/ Getty Images
Lorraine Ugen was sixth in the long jump, won by Malaika Mihambo with a seven meter effort. KJT was seventh and Shara Proctor had three fouls. Early days but not what any of the British athletes was capable of.
