The 2019 Pre Classic was an amazing event. We called it, Pre in Exile. The Pre meet had moved to Palo Alto in 2019 only. The event had a strong crowd, huge performances, and exciting finishes. It also showed that Palo Alto should host a Diamond League meeting every year!
The crowd of 8,000 plus were entertained by two complete hours of amazing competition and the finest athletes on the Nike roster, plus some of the finest global athletes who were not with Nike. My fave events? Well, the men’s 2 mile, the men’s PV and the women’s 3000m.
My favorite quote, comes from Rai Benjamin, who was seated with his family in front of me, after his masterful 47.16. Of Justin Gatlin, Rai noted, ” Justin still has some serious moves at 36.”
Joshue Cheptegai held off Paul Chelimo, photo by PhotoRun.net
Larry Eder has had a 52-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Also does some updates for BBC Sports at key events, which he truly enjoys. Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."
Larry Eder has had a 52-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Also does some updates for BBC Sports at key events, which he truly enjoys. Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."
by Larry Eder
Joshue Cheptegai held off Paul Chelimo, photo by PhotoRun.net
