Jenn Suhr, 2012 NB Indoor Grand Prix, photo by PhotoRun.net

The sold out crowd at the Reggie Lewis Center was entertained for three hours, with some great track & field. Two photo finish races, the women’s 800 meters, won by Maggie Vessey and the women’s 300 meters, won by DeeDee Trotter, had the crowd going. The high school relays, 4 x 400 meters and 4 x 800 meters, had the crowd on their feet!
And then, as the vaulters reached their limits, Jenn Suhr got warmed up. Jenn has jumped well in Reggie Lewis, setting two record before tonight. Jenn Suhr had a bad meet last week, at the US Open, no-heighting. Well, that was not happening tonight.
Suhr won the vault at 4.72m or 15-6. Then she set up her next height as 4.88m and sixteen feet even. If she cleared it, she would have the highest vault in the world, as 4.87m was the world leader (by Holly Bleasdale, GBR).
On her first attempt, Jenn Suhr cleared 4.88m, sixteen feet, a new American record! Suhr is now the second all time indoor pole vaulter and also the 2012 world leader.
Jenn Suhr then went for 5.01m, or 16-05, a new world record. She made one attempt, but withdrew, not wanting to risk an injury. She can get that record…

updated February 7, 2012

SUHR
488, ETHIOPIANS DEFAR AND DIBABA WINS

BOSTON
(USA, Feb 4): Jenn Suhr bounced back to brilliant form when raising her
American pole vault record to a height of 488 at the New Balance Indoor
Games. Suhr a week after failing to register a clearance at the U.S.
Open meet in New York added two centimeters to the mark she achieved in
Albuquerque last year, the performance also taking her to the top of the 2012
World rankings and second place on the all-time list behind Yelena Isinbayeva.
Mo Farah the world 5000 meters outdoor champion picked himself up after a fall
sent him crashing to the floor on the first lap in the mile which was won by
Ireland’s Ciaran O’Lionaird 3:56.01. Second Canada’s Taylor Milne 3:56.40. and
third Galen Rupp 3:57.10. â€žSomebody just caught my leg,” said Farah who still
achieved a personal best of 3:57.92 for fourth position. â€žOnce I fell,
I had to get back in as quickly as possible. It wasn’t easy.” Maggie
Vessey won the 800m in a photofinish with runner up and fellow American
Erica Moore clocking the same time of 2:02.37 while there were comfortable
victories for the Ethiopian duo of Tirunesh Dibaba and Meseret Defar who took
the two mile and 3000m titles with world leading times of 9:21.60 and 8:33.57
(1500 m world champ Jenny Simpson 7th 8:58.70). Defar who set her world record
of 8:23.72 in Stuttgart five years ago, said: â€žThe race was uneven but I have
raced well. I was planning to go under 8:30 but it didn’t happen. But I’m
very pleased.” Moroccan Btissam Lakhouad won the women’s 1000m in 2:38.14 WL
(beating home stars Morgan Uceny 2:38.44 and Anna Pierce 2:38.91) with Caleb
Ndiku of Kenya outkicking Ethiopia’s defending champion Dejen Gebremeskel to
win his 30000m race by 0.67sec with a world leader of 7:38.29 (debut).
Second Gebremeskel 7:38.97 and third Silas Kiplagat 7:41.02. World medalist at
1500 m Matt Centrowitz was 7th in 7:46.19, lifetime best. David Oliver after a sluggish
start took the 60m hurdles with a time of 7.60, world outdoor 400m
champion Kirani James opened the season with world leading 45.96 (second Josh
Scott 46.54). DeeDee Trotter was the best at 300 m (37.07, second Bianca Knight
37.12) and Murielle Ahoure from the Ivory Coast in the 60m 7.13 beating Gloria
Asumnu 7.20 and Lakya Brookins 7.21. Adam Nelson claimed the shot title with a first
round effort of 21.27 (Cory Martin 20.44 as second) in front of a sell out
crowd of 4,072 spectators at the Reggie Lewis Centre (17th edition of the
meet). In total six world leads were registered. With help from David Martin.

WORLD
LEAD FOR CAMARENA-WILLIAMS

FLAGSTAFF
(USA, Feb 4): World leading shot put for US world medalist Jill
Camarena-Williams 19.62 ahead of Sarah Walker 18.42. Belgian Arnaud Froidmont
improved his best at NAU Open meet here at altitude to 46.82 at 400 m. Fast 60
m for Ryan Milus 6.60 ahead of Daniel Auberry 6.63 (PB).

WORLD
BEST FOR FELIX SANCHEZ

MONDEVILLE
(FRA, Feb 4): New indoor world best at 400 m hurdles for legendary Felix
Sanchez 49.25 at the international indoor meet here. Bulgarian world finalist
Ivet Lalova opened the season with 7.20 at 60 m (second Laura Turner 7.29).
Belarus Alina Talai achieved 8.06 to win the 60 m hurdles beating improved
Italian Marzia Caravelli 8.12. In other male events Cuban Yunier Perez (lives
in Spain) achieved fast 6.61, Italian Simone Collio was also fast in heats 6.62
Ethiopian Abiyot Abinet this time achieved 7:57.27 to win the 3000 m. Good 60 m
hurdles for US Fred Townsend 7.57 ahead of Thomas Delmestre 7.67 and Briton
Lawrence Clarke 7.69. In the pole vault British win for Steven Lewis on
count-back over Romain Mesnil with 562 cm.

ROAD RACES

GRANOLLERS
(ESP, Feb 5): Marathon world record holder Patrick Makau was second at the 26th
Granollers Half Marathon in 1:02:39. In fresh, windy and sunny conditions (6
degrees at the start and the same at finish) Carles Castillejo was better by
three seconds in 1:02:36. Makau was running without specific training for this
race in his build-up for 2012 marathon season. In 2011 Makau clocked in
February 1:03:51. Sixth place for European Champion Viktor Rothlin of
Switzerland 1:03:33. With help from Possosports.

HONGKONG
(HKG, Feb 5): Losing a marathon by one second last year taught Dejere
Abera of Ethiopia a lesson that he put to good use when he won the
Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon – an IAAF Bronze Label event – by less
than a second. Indeed so tight and exciting was the men’s finish that
Eliud Cheptei in second place shared Dejere’s winning time of 2:11:27 (new
course record), while two more Kenyans, Cosmas Kyeva and Julius Maisei were
just one second each further back (2:11:28). Ethiopian women winner Misiker
Demissie took pride of place when her runaway victory in the women’s race, in
2:30:12, took all of three and a half minutes from last year’s course
record. Second Shitaye Gemechu of Ethiopia 2:31:44 ahead of Kenyan Winfred
Nyansikera 2:31:47 and North Korean Kim Kum-Ok 2:32:48. Given the tough course
here, and the inevitable humidity, around 90% at one stage, albeit with
reasonable temperatures of 16-19C (61-66F), the times were never going to be of
the order of last week’s Dubai record breaking spree. But, like Dubai this was
another Ethiopian double header to relish, and remind the Kenyans that they’re
not going to get all their own way in Olympic year. Informs Pat Butcher (www.globerunner.org). Winners got 50 000
USD and more bonus for course records.

JOHANNESBURG
(RSA, Feb 5): SA media are informing that Coolboy Ngamole made a strong
bid for the country’s Olympic Games squad on Sunday, setting his second qualifying
time to win the SA Marathon Championships in George in 2:13:18. He also won the
national marathon title in 2010. Second Michael Mazibuko 2:13:18 and third
Zolani Ntogana 2:16:50. Charne Bosman defended her women’s title, though she
missed the Olympic A-standard by nearly five minutes, winning in 2:41:56. Mpho
Mabuza was second in 2:43:29 and Gladys Lukhwareni finished third in 2:48:25.
Interesting to see reinstated Gert Thys third in veteran category 2:23:33.

OITA
(JPN, Feb 5): Kenyan Harun Njoroge won the 61st Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon in
lifetime best 2:09:38. Second Serod Batochir improved his own Mongolian record
to 2:11:05, third Ethiopian Yakob Jarso debuted with 2:11:13. Best Japanese
fourth placer Kohei Matsumura 2:11:17 also in debut. The race was not part of
olympic qualifying process.

MARUGAME
(JPN, Feb 5): Fast times at Marugame Half marathon in Japan. Kenyan Matthew
Kisorio clocked 1:00:02 over his team-mates Daniel Gitau 1:01:01, Jacob Wanjiku
1:01:02 and Benjamin Gandu 1:01:06 (for all lifetime bests). Best Japanese
fifth Yusuke Takabayashi another PB 1:01:31 ahead of Arata Fujiwara 1:01:34. As
27th top Japanese marathon runner Yuki Kawauchi clocked personal best 1:02:18.
Last year Amsterdam marathon winner Tiki Gelena won the women race in her first
sub 1:10, very solid 1:08:48 (32:47 10 km split). In very deep results by
Japanese runners the top ones were second Kaoru Nagao 1:10:32 and third Sayo
Nomura 1:10:34 (for both also PBÂ´s).

INDOOR RESULTS

SHEFFIELD
(GBR, Feb 4): Reigning World indoor pentathlon champion Jessica Ennis won the
60 m hurdles for her city of Sheffield in 8.05, her fastest seasons opener. But
could manage a modest 619 in the long jump which was won by another
heptathlete, Katarina Thompson who leapt 639 for a national junior record.
Andrew Pozzi won the menÂ´s hurdles in 7.70 and Marilyn Okoro the 800m in
2:04.29 in her first race of year. Interesting to note former European indoor
silver medallist Tony Whiteman (40) ran 3:47.20 for 1500 m.

BIRMINGHAM
(GBR, Feb 4): At Birmingham Games (1st day) fast 60 m for Richard Kilty 6.61 in
the semis. Richard Buck clocked 46.95 in the 400 m heats. Shana Cox got 53.08
in women 400 m heats.

UNIVERSITY
PARK (USA, Feb 4): At Sykes and Sabock Challenge Cup good 21.28 in the shot put
by Ryan Whiting.

ALBUQUERQUE
(USA, Feb 4): Solid 400 m at New Mexico Classic when Jarrin Solomon achieved
46.55 ahead of Marcus Boyd 46.93. World triple bronze winner Will Claye
registered 16.69 m.

CHAMPAIGN
(USA, Feb 4): Fast 60 m hurdles for Christina Manning 7.99 at Orange and Blue
Open beating UK record holder Tiffany Porter 8.00 and Jamaican Natasha Ruddock
8.23.

SOUTH
BEND (USA, Feb 4): Fast 3000 m at Meyo Invitational (oversized track) for
Kenyan Paul Chelimo 7:49.87 ahead of Andrew Bayer 7:50.27. In the 400 m race
Patrick Feeney improved to 46.73 and US team member Mary Wineberg got 53.57.

NEW YORK
(USA, Feb 4): New Balance Collegiate second day registered 20.93 for Tavaris
Tate at 200 m, Zambian Prince Mumba clocked 1:48.56 in the 800 m and 800 m
runner Brian Gagnon hugely improved at 1500 m to 3:41.73 (previous best
3:49.99). James Harris cleared 227 in the high jump. On the women side
Kimberlyn Duncan sped to 23.22 at the 200 m, Marlena Wesh to 52.21 at 400 m
(new national record for Haiti) and Regina George to 1:09.81 in the 500 m.
Lauren Centrowitz won the 1500 m in 4:14.06.

ANTEQUERA
(ESP, Feb 4): Fast 800 m by Spanish Kevin Lopez 1:47.82.

ZARAGOZA
(ESP, Feb 4): At Spanish Gran Premio meet here Francisco Javier Abad clocked
3:39.90 at 1500 m ahead of Manuel Olmedo 3:40.31. Eusebio Caceres won the long
jump with 797 (ahead of Luis Felipe Meliz 793) and was second at 60 m in 6.77
(winner Angel David Rodriguez 6.64). Istanbul standard also for Isabel Macias
4:13.72 at 1500 m.

LUXEMBURG
(LUX, Feb 4): The 10th edition of Dussmann Indoor Meeting had German Helge
Schwarzer improving to 7.58 at 60 m hurdles (second Hungarian Balazs Baji
7.67). In the women 60 m Dutch Dafne Schippers showed her multi-talent with improving
to 7.25 in heats and finals. Second French Carima Louami 7.30 and third Jamile
Samuel 7.36 (but PB 7.29 in heats). Former Briton Tim Abeye now running for
Ghana won the 60 m in 6.69 and Kenyan Benson Seurei was the best in the 1500 m
in 3:41.05. Olga Zemlyak of Ukraine clocked 52.74 in the 400 m. In the jumps
Bulgarian Mirela Demireva cleared 190 and German Kristina Gadschiew 441.

MAGGLINGEN
(SUI, Feb 4): Italian Emanuele Abate is having top shape. At national meet in
Switzerland he clocked in heats of 60 m hurdles new national record 7.57
(former record was from 1998). He won the finals afterwards with 7.66.
Anna-Katharina Schmid cleared 442 in the pole vault.

FRANKFURT
(GER, Feb 4): More from winter throwing meet in Germany in discus. Nadine Muller
66.07 and Martin Wierig 64.72.

EAUBONNE
(FRA, Feb 4): 2009 European U23 Champion Yannick Fonsat became the first
European of the year to dip under 21 in the 200 m with 20.95.

PRAHA
(CZE, Feb 4): During first day of Prague City Championships Lucie Skrobakova
improved her season best to 8.09 at 60 m hurdles and Jirina Ptacnikova cleared
455 cm in the pole vault. In the Stromovka Hall Roman Sebrle tested his shape
with 8.21 at 60 m Hurdles, 480 in the pole vault and 7.29 at 60 m.

ATHENS
(GRE, Feb 4): Two national indoor records at opening meet of the season.
Konstadinos Douvalidis clocked 7.64 at 60 m hurdles and Eleni Filandra got
2:02.08 in the 800 m.

Author

Larry Eder
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."
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