by Larry Eder
Bobby Mack, 2012 USATF XC, photo by PhotoRun.net
On top of that, cross country fans got their days’ worth in St.Louis as Bobby Mack won over Aaron Braun in the US XC Club champs, by ten seconds. In the women’s race, Molly Huddle and Sarah Hall dueled to a photo-finish less than one hundredth of a second. Sarah Hall was given the win!
Molly Huddle, Sarah Hall, 2012 USATF XC, photo by PhotoRun.net
Great weekend of sports, and stories abound on how great our athletes are in this sport!
Jillian Camerena-Williams, 2011 USATF Indoor Champs, photo by PhotoRun.net
LAGAT 5K RECORD
NEW YORK (USA, Feb 11): It was
a record-breaking night at the New Balance Track and Field Center at the
Armory, with athletes setting American, collegiate, high school records and
three world leads (men 500 m, women 400 m and 1500 m) on the Armory’s fast 200m
track. It was the first edition of the 105 year-old Millrose Games to be held
in the Armory. In the men’s 5000m, 37-year-old Bernard Lagat broke the U.S.
indoor mark for that distance, running 13:07.15, a substantial improvement
of four seconds over the previous record held by rival Galen Rupp, who broke
Lagat’s 2 mile record in Fayetteville, Ark., tonight. With his second-place
showing in 13:08.28, Kenyan Lavi Lalang broke the American collegiate record
that had been held by Galen Rupp since 2009. Third Stephen Sambu of Kenya
13:13.74. Seventh Juan Luis Barrios new Mexican record 13:23.61 and eighth
Edward Cheserek, a Kenyan who attends St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark, N.J.,
became the first high school student in the United States to break 14:00 for
5000m indoors, clocking 13:57.04. In the famed NYRR Wanamaker Mile, the final
event of the evening, Matthew Centrowitz set a new Armory record in his
professional debut as a miler, running 3:53.92, the fastest time by an
American this indoor season. Centrowitz’s win was hard-fought with Brigham
Young University standout Miles Batty pushing him all the way to the tape.
Batty took second in 3:54.54, a new collegiate record, toppling German
Fernandez’s previous mark of 3:55.02. Garrett Heath took third in 3:55.24. In
the NYRR Wanamaker Metric Mile for women, reigning 1500m world champion Jenny
Simpson held off Shannon Rowbury to win the 1500m race in a world-leading
4:07.27. Rowbury clocked 4:07.66, and Spain’s Isabel Macias finished third in
4:08.80. Other winners included Morgan Uceny in the women’s 800m (2:03.35).
Reigning olympic champion LaShawn Merritt came not close to all time best
1:00.17 in the 500 m, his winning time was 1:01.39. Hurdler Jeshua Anderson as
second got 1:01.86. Sanya Richard-Ross ran a world-leading 50.89 in the
400m (second Natasha Hastings 51.85) and Jesse Williams jumped an Armory record
and season best for them 232m in the high jump. Trinidad´s sub 10 sprinter
Keston Bledman was the best in the men´s 60 m (6.62, PB), women winner was
Bianca Knight 7.25. In close hurdles David Oliver in 7.51 returned the US Open
defeat to Terrence Trammell 7.52. Third Aries Merritt was also very close 7.53.
In women hurdles Kristi Castlin improved to 7.91 and second Tiffany Porter
clocked European lead of 2012 7.93. Jenny Suhr cleared her opening 458 to win
the pole vault (missed 471 afterwards). Russian world medalist Olga Kucherenko
was the best in the long jump with 675 cm. With the help from Race Results
Weekly.
TWO US RECORDS,
BUT SENSATION FROM MADISON
FAYETTEVILLE (USA, Feb 11):
Jillian Camarena-Williams and Galen Rupp set American records as six
world-leading marks (men 60 m, 400 m, mile, 2 miles, women twice 60 m) were
posted at USA Track & Field Classic. In the very first event of the night,
Camarena-Williams picked up where she left off in 2011, breaking her own
American record in the women’s shot put with her toss of 19.89 m. Defending
U.S. indoor champion Ryan Whiting won the men’s shot with a mark of 21.43,
second-farthest throw in the world this year. Canadians behind him Justin Rodhe
with PB 20.95 and world medalist Dylan Armstrong in his season opener third
20.63. Rupp’s performance came near the end of the evening. In his first
attempt at the distance, Rupp with 8:09.72 improved Bernard Lagat’s 2-mile
American mark of 8:10.07, set in 2011. The Geoff Hollister men’s mile lived up
to the excellence of the race’s namesake, with six men running under the 2012
world-leading time. World Outdoor silver medalist Silas Kiplagat chalked up his
second win in the 2012 Indoor Visa Championship Series, edging out Kenyan
countryman Caleb Ndiku with a time of 3:52.63 (also Kenyan indoor record).
Ndiku was just a whisker behind in 3:52.66, followed by Daniel Kipchirchir
Komen (3:53.93), American Russell Brown (3:54.08), Amine Laalou of Morocco
(3:54.49) and New Balance Indoor Grand Prix winner Ciaran O’Lionard of Ireland
(3:54.76). In the first running event on the track, World Outdoor champion
Kirani James of Grenada won the men’s 400 in 45.19 to post a 2012
world-leading mark, with Calvin Smith second in 45.73. Bahamian Demetrius
Pinder was second fastest in another heat with 45.40. 2005 long jump world
champion Tianna Madison (26, previous PB 7.18 from 2009) ran a world leader
in the first round of the 60 meters with her personal-best time of 7.05, while
Allyson Felix ran a personal-best time of 7.10 in taking second in heat 2
(fourth in the final 7.11). In the final, Madison improved upon her own world
leader, winning in 7.02 to defeat defending world champion Veronica
Campbell-Brown (7.08) and Murielle Ahoure of the Ivory Coast (7.09, but 7.08 NR
in heats). In the men’s 60 meters, Lerone Clarke of Jamaica ran a world-leading
time of 6.52, followed by Justin Gatlin in second and Trell Kimmons in third,
both in 6.57. Fourth Gerald Phiri national record for Zambia 6.59 and olympic
medalist Richard Thompson after fastest heat time 6.56 was a non-finisher
in the final. Morrocans Siham Hilali (4:09.36) and Btissam Lakhouad (4:09.72)
dominated in the women 1500 m. Ginnie Crawford got out to a fast start in
the women’s 60m hurdles, holding off Olympic gold medalist Dawn Harper’s strong
finish. Crawford clocked 7.97 to Harper’s 8.03. Jamaican Andrew Riley improved
to 7.53 at 60 m hurdles as the winner. 2011 USA indoor and outdoor champion
Janay DeLoach topped a great field in the women’s long jump with a best
jump of 683. Bianca Stuart was second at 679, with reigning world indoor and
outdoor gold medalist Brittney Reese third with 6.65. Informs USATF website.
BLAKE PB AT 400
M
KINGSTON (JAM, Feb 11): World
100m champion Yohan Blake said he is much stronger this year after opening his
season here with a 400m personal best. Blake’s time in the one lap event
was 46.49 for second behind Jamaica’s quarter mile specialist Allodin
Fothergill, who did 46.29. „I am much, much stronger this year and faster.
Running 46.4 in my first outing is wonderful,” said Blake, who was very easy
for the first half of the race. Informs Trackalerts. Rosemarie Whyte took the
women’s event in 52.38 ahead of Davita Prendergast 52.68 and Schillonie Calvert
53.50 (new PB for the 100 m runner). Oshane Bailey took the men’s 100m in 10.49
ahead of quarter-miler Edino Steele 10.55.
ASAFA WITH MVP
LOST THE 4X100 M
MONTEGO BAY (JAM, Feb 11): At
the 34th staging of the Milo Western Relays the MVP quartet of Asafa Powell,
Michael Frater, Nesta Carter and Barbadian Andre Hinds lost to Swept TC of
Ainsley Waugh, Dexter Lee, Keneil Lee and Sheldon Mitchell who won in 38.84 against
38.97 at the 4×100 m. Lansford Spence won the men’s 100 m in 10.37. In the
women 4×100 m the MVP (Fraser-Pryce, Simpson, McLaughlin, Hutchinson) failed to
pass the baton at the first exchange as UTech’s ‚A’ team won in 44.70. 15-years
old Chris Bryan cleared impressive 220 in the high jump. „We were leading up to
the final change over, and then I don’t know what went wrong,” said
Powell, whose MVP team holds the record for the event. „I felt good. It is just
disappointing that we did not win,”added Powell for Jamaican media. „The baton
fell so I never got a chance to run, which was disappointing,” said
Simpson, clearly dispirited with the turn of events. With help from Jamaica
Gleaner and Jamaica Observer.
KOFANOVA WL,
ORLOVA WB
MOSCOW (RUS, Feb 12): During
second day of Moscow City Championships Yelena Kofanova clocked first season
sub 2 minutes in the 800 m with 1:59.80. Russian European 2006 6th placer
Yelena Orlova (at that time Sidorchenkova) clocked all-time indoor world best
at 2000 m steeple with 6:06.11 beating Lyubov Kharlamova 6:13.34. Olga
Golovkina won the 3000 m in 9:07.13 and Yekaterina Vukolova the 200 m in 23.42.
In the triple jump wins for Lyukman Adams 16.72 and European junior champion
2011 Yana Borodina 14.10. In the high jump 2009 World champion Yaroslav Rybakov
was third with 218, winner Sergey Mudrov cleared 224 cm.
OTHER RESULTS
INDOOR
SEATTLE (USA, Feb 11): Second
day at Husky Classic registered at oversized track here fast 3000 m by Ryan
Hill 7:43.08 ahead of Diego Estrada 7:44.63 and Ross Millington of Great
Britain 7:49.11. Lopez Lomong won the 800 m in 1:47.87 after close finish with
Aaron Evans 1:47.88. 10 000 m world medalist Sally Kipyego was fast over the
mile with oversized world lead 4:28.41 ahead of Katie Flood 4:28.48 and
Canadian Hillary Stellingwerf 4:29.37. Kim Conley posted 8:57.62 over 3000 m.
In technical events Norris Frederick leaped to 792 in the long jump.
AMES (USA, Feb 10-11): Fast
times at oversized track here. Fernanda Blackley 46.45 at 400 m, Tavaris Tate
in another race 46.68. Harun Abda clocked impressive 1:07.66 at 600 yards.
Non-oversized all-time best is 1:07.53. Kenyan Edward Kemboi achieved 1:47.74
in the 800 m. In technical events Derek Miles cleared 552 in the pole vault,
Brittany Riley 24.35 in weight throw and Canadian Tim Nedow personal best 20.35
in the shot put.
COLLEGE STATION (USA, Feb 11):
Traditional fast times at 200 m oval at Texas AM Invitational. World junior
medalist Errol Nolan won the 400 m in 46.12, Ameer Webb clocked 20.79 in the
200 m and Dominique Duncan 23.29 at the 200 m. Michael Preble got 1:47.52 in
the 800 m.
FAYETTEVILLE (USA, Feb 11): In
the collegiate programme of Tyson Invitational 4×400 m world leading times for
Arkansas men 3:03.76 and Louisiana State women 3:31.55 (both mixed
nationalities). World medalist Will Claye improved the world lead in the triple
jump to 17.39 ahead of world champion Christian Taylor 16.88 and Dutch Fabian
Florant equaling his indoor national mark of 16.75. In the 200 m LaShawn Butler
clocked 20.99, Estonian Marek Niit in another race 21.03. 2007 World Champion
Donald Thomas of Bahamas achieved 224 in the high jump and Jamaican CAC
Champion Kimberly Williams 14.28 PB in the triple jump. Kimberlyn Duncan won
the 200 m in 23.23.
BOSTON (USA, Feb 11): Second
day of Valentine Invitational saw Mike Rutt running fast 800 m in 1:47.11 ahead
of Tevan Everett 1:47.36 and Trinidad´s Jamaal James 1:47.66. Sub 4 mile for
Rich Peters 3:57.83 beating Brian Gagnon 3:57.91.
OTTAWA (CAN, Feb 11): Solid 300
m for Phil Osei 33.57.
GENEVA (USA, Feb 11): At Spire
Invitational good double for Kind Butler 6.68 and 20.95. Canadian Alex Genest
won the 3000 m in 7:57.46 and World junior 2010 relay gold medalist David
Verburg impressed with 46.39 at 400 m. It should be noted that the track here
is 300 m long.
OUTDOOR
HUAIAN (CHN, Feb 12): Chinese
walking olympic trials produced new names for the national squad during second
day at 20 km for men. Cai Zelin who was silver winner in Moncton 2010 at World
Juniors was the best in lifetime best 1:19:42. Second Xu Wei 1:20:44 and third
Chen Ding 1:21:02. Two Daegu participants Wang Hao (also silver winner from
Berlin 2009) and Chu Yanfei were non-finishers. In the junior men 20 km Zhao Qi
clocked personal best 1:21:06. In U17 10 km races wins for Gao Wenghui 42:16
and Su Yingqiu 47:24. Informs Tilastopaja.
CHIBA (JPN, Feb 12): Kenyan
High Schooler Charles Ndirangu won the men´s 12 km at Chiba CC race (IAAF
permit) in 34:59. More Kenyans followed with Martin Mathathi second 35:09 and
John Gasaya (also HS) 35:38. Best Japanese Suguru Osako was fourth (35:44). In women
8 km the same scenario with Susan Wairimu (Sera High School senior) being the
best in 26:41. Second Grace Kimanzi also of Kenya 26:46 and third Megumi
Kinukawa (27:17). 8th place for fresh Ukrainian marathon record holder Tetyana
Hamera-Shmyrko 27:40.
NOBEOKA (JPN, Feb 12): Kazuya
Ishida won the Nobeoka Marathon in 2:11:57, his marathon debut.
KARATSU (JPN, Feb 12): Sota
Hoshi was the best at Karatsu 10 miler in 47:00 ahead of Yuichiro Ueno 47:02.
HIMEJI (JPN, Feb 11): In
another ten miler of the weekend Kazuyoshi Tokumoto won the 52nd Himeji Castle
in 47:34.
ST. LOUIS (USA, Feb 11): Bobby
Mack just as he did when finishing an outstanding runner up in last month’s
Bupa Great Edinburgh Cross Country produced a late surge to lift the USA
Cross Country title and 35:42 at 12 km. Second Aaron Braun (35:52) and third
Josh Simpson 36:04. Sara Hall was also a first time winner of the women’s
crown taking the women’s 8km race in a competition which went to the wire
ahead of Molly Huddle, both sharing the same time of 26:51. Liz Costello
finished third in 27:18.
SAN IGNACIO (ESA, Feb 11):
Guatemala produced winners of senior races at 6th Central American CC
Championships. Santos Pirir Curup in men´s 12 km (44:11) and Merlin Vinet Celi
in women´s 8 km (34:36).
SAO PAULO (BRA, Feb 11):
Rogerio Bispo leaped at local meet 805 (-0.3) in the long jump.
