by Larry Eder
Birmingham and Gelana
MARUGAME (JPN, Feb 3): New Australian record 1:00:56 was needed for Collis Birmingham to win the Marugame Half Marathon. Second Kenyan Enock Omwamba debuted in 1:01:15 and third best Japanese runner Tsuyoshi Ugachi 1:01:16. Fourth Kenta Maruyama improved to 1:01:19. Marathon world champion Abel Kirui ended 8th in 1:02:04. In dramatic women duel olympic marathon gold medalist Tiki Gelana won in 1:08:53 ahead of New Zealand record holder Kim Smith 1:09:00. Yuko Shimizu as top home runner was third in 1:09:32. Top nine went under 1:11. Interesting to note the 24th place of younger sister of the winner Alomas Gelana in 1:13:39. From European runners Ireland´s Alistair Cragg finished as 36th in 1:03:14.
Very special man Kawauchi
OITA (JPN, Feb 3): Yuki Kawauchi who already won a marathon in January in Egypt clocked new personal best and course record 2:08:15 to win the 62nd Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon. London Olympic 6th placer Kentaro Nakamoto was second in personal best 2:08:35. Third Kenji Higashino clocked also personal best 2:12:13. Best European Briton Ben Moreau finished 13th in 2:16:54. Domestic women field was topped by Chiyuki Mochizuki in 2:40:11.
S. Kiprotich HM PB
GRANOLLERS (ESP, Feb 3): In a very windy day near Barcelona olympic marathon winner Stephen Kiprotich won the Half Marathon here in 1:01:15. In close race second Carles Castillejo in 1:01:18 what is new Catalonian record. Third another Kenyan David Maru 1:03:53 ahead of Manuel Penas 1:04:25 over European marathon champion Viktor Rothlin 1:04:26. Kiprotich told to EME NEWS after the compeition:”A good race today even if windy. I am happy for my shape and completely satisfied with the time. More than a minute down of my personal best at the distance”. Women winner Jebichi Yator achieved 1:14:24. From Alberto Stretti.
Five world leads: Lagat beats them all
KARLSRUHE (GER, Feb 2): The INDOOR Meeting of Karlsruhe (IAAF Indoor Permit) registered in total five world leading marks before capacity crowd (4500) of Europahalle. Ethiopian female runners showed their potential in solo races. Meseret Defar winning the 3000 m in 8:35.28 meet record (also WL) and Genzebe Dibaba getting the 1500 m in 4:02.25. In the most thrilling race of the evening multiple world indoor champion Bernard Lagat of USA beat a strong field in the 3000 m in fast 7:34.71 WL. Second Yenew Alamirew 7:38.57 and third Hayle Ibrahimov new Azerbaijan record 7:41.46. The fourth world lead was in the men 800 m surprisingly won by Spanish Kevin Lopez 1:46.72 over reigning European indoor champion Adam Kszczot 1:46.76. Great shape was demonstrated by steeple olympic medalist Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad who won the 1500 m in European leading time and indoor best 3:36.95 over young Ethiopian Teshome Dirirsa (18) 3:37.64 and 2010 European 800 m champion Marcin Lewandowski 3:38.58 ahead of Bartosz Nowicki another Polish runner 3:39.65 and German Florian Orth 3:39.97 rounding this race as European domination. New Dayron Robles could be Orlando Ortega who clocked in heats world leading 7.54 and won the finals in 7.60 over US Omo Osaghae 7.65 and German Erik Balnuweit 7.65 (but 7.60 in heats). Olympic winner Renaud Lavillenie continued in his winning indoor streak with clearing 583 meet record over his top German rival Bjorn Otto 573. Another German win in long jump for 2010 Eurowinner Christian Reif 801. In close 60 m women final Ivet Lalova beat Verena Sailer, both given the same 7.19. Czech 2009 European indoor medalist Lucie Skrobakova from lane 1 beat a good European field in 8.03 at 60 m hurdles. Only 3 cm shy of her French indoor record Eloyse Lesueur with 681 in long jump over German Melanie Bauschke 668 (indoor PB). Two good personal bests by European runners added from women 3000 m, second German Corinna Harrer 8:51.04 and third European CC Champion Fionnuala Britton 8:55.22.
Three world leads: Gebrhiwot WJR, Suhr and Tiru
BOSTON (USA, Feb 2): An explosive surge two-thirds of the way through the men’s 3000m at the 18th New Balance Indoor Grand Prix (in total 3 world leads) propelled Ethiopia’s Hagos Gebrhiwet to a new world junior and meet record of 7:32.87, also a world-leader. Second Galen Rupp got 7:33.67 personal best (just 1.24 behind the US record) and third olympic medalist Dejen Gebremeskel 7:43.32. Olympic winner Jenn Suhr cleared world leading 476 in the pole vault ahead of Mary Saxer 455. Yet the Gebrhiwot (18) mark was eclipsed in importance for the partisan crowd by American high schooler Mary Cain, 16, who smashed the USA high school and junior records for two miles and 3000m by wide margins. Cain, who broke the USA high school mile and 1500m indoor records at last Saturday’s New Balance Games in New York City, ran in a pack of professional woman who trailed Ethiopian superstar Tirunesh Dibaba by more than half a lap. Dibaba won easily in a world-leading 9:13.17, but it was Cain who got the biggest cheers when she sprinted to a third-place finish in 9:38.68. That mark smashed Melody Fairchild’s USA high school record of 9:55.92 which had stood for nearly 22 years. En route, Cain split the 3000m mark in 9:04.51, breaking both Fairchild’s high school mark of 9:17.4, but also Aisling Cuffe’s junior record of 9:15.56 set last year. Second in the race was Canadian Sheila Reid 9:37.97. Reigning World Championships bronze medalist Matthew Centrowitz won a tactical mile in 3:56.26, holding off a final charge to the tape by Will Leer (3:56.35). The women’s mile went very slowly, allowing Morocco’s Btissam Lakhouad to take the win using her superior sprint speed. She was timed in 4:39.23, and didn’t mind the slow race. Phoebe Wright nipped her training partner Erica Moore in the homestretch of the 800m, coming from third place to win in 2:03.96 to 2:03.98. World leader Murielle Ahoure of Ivory Coast dominated women 60 m in 7.07. Also Ebony Floyd was similar clear winner in the 400 m 52.51. Long jumper Janay DeLoach won the hurdles in 7.97 over British representative Tiffany Porter who in her first race since Olympic Games clocked impressive season opener and European lead 2013 7.99. Zambian Gerald Phiri won the 60 m in 6.67, US Olympian Jeff Porter destroyed the 60 m hurdles field in 7.62. With the help from Race Results Weekly.
Perez 6.51, Vicaut 6.53, Rodgers 6.54
MONDEVILLE (FRA, Feb 2): Cuban Yunier Perez improved his own world leading time at the Meeting Nationale en Salle here to 6.51. Second French Jimmy Vicaut equalled the European lead of Italian Tumi and also his personal best with 6.53 and third US Mike Rodgers 6.54 in so far the highest quality sprint of the year. Belarus Anis Ananenka won the 800 m in 1:48.69 and Thomas Martinot-Lagarde was the best over the hurdles in 7.78 (7.74 in heats). Czech Katerina Cechova won the women 60 m in Goteborg standard 7.31 over Nataliya Pohrebnyak of Ukraine 7.36. At 800 m again Belarus win for Maryna Arzamasava 2:04.41. Italian Veronica Borsi clocked 8.06 to win the 60 m hurdles over European heptathlon champion Antoinette Nana Djimou 8.21. Cuban Yasmani Copello won the 400 m hurdles in 50.44, Felix Sanchez was not running.
Berings 7.95, J. Borlee 32.84
GENT (BEL, Feb 2): At Perfiction Indoor meeting Jonathan Borlee clocked 32.84 European lead and missed his own Belgian record from 2011 only by 0.05 s. Second French Yannick Fonsat good 33.32. Jonathan was also second in the 60 m in 6.80 won by Poland´s Kamil Krynski 6.75. Kevin Borlee was fifth 6.85 and then clocked the fastest over 200 m 21.18. Czech Josef Prorok won the 400 m in 47.41, Dutch Thijmen Kupers the 800 m in 1:47.99. Also solid the 1500 m win for French Simon Denissel 3:42.86 and 7:56.53 by Eritrean Tijtgat Lander in the 3000 m. Spanish Jackson Quinonez won the 60 m hurdles in 7.73, in extra race
new Portugal record 7.74 for Rasul Dabo. French Marie Gayot won the 400 m in 52.86, Elisa Cusma dominated the 800 m in 2:04.38 and Natalia Rodriguez the 1500 m in 4:14.00. Former European indoor champion Eline Berings won the 60 m hurdles in 7.95 ahead of Sharona Bakker 8.07. Slovak European indoor medalist Dana Veldakova won her event with 13.71 in the triple jump.
Ethiopian wins
SAN VITTORE OLONA (ITA, Feb 3): Ethiopian world junior champion Muktar Edris (19) won the main men 10 km race at the 81st Cinque Mulini IAAF CC Permit. He clocked 30:08 in duel with another teenager Kenyan Albert Rop (18) 30:09. Third Bernard Rotich of Kenya 30:41. Fourth Thomas Ayeko from Uganda 30:45 ahead of best European Krystian Zalewski of Poland 31:59. In women 6 km competition another Ethiopian win for Afera Godfay in 21:56 over Kenyan Eunice Kales 22:12 and Italian Touria Samiri 22:45.
US RESULTS (Whiting 21.59, Jeter 7.18)
ALBUQUERQUE (USA, Feb 2): At New Mexico Classic meet world champion Carmelita Jeter clocked 7.18 to win the 60 m. Canadian record holder Julie Labonte got 17.33 in the shot put. In men events David Walters won the 60 m in 6.66 and Brendan Ames 7.62 at 60 m hurdles. Jason Richardson was fourth in 8.02 after heats with 7.99.
SOUTH BEND (USA, Feb 2): Fast 400 m at the oversized track during Meyo Invitational by Patrick Feeney 46.13. Canadian junior Brandon McBride impressive 1:47.74 in the 800 m and Kenyan Kennedy Kithuka also very good 7:50.26 in the 3000 m. Gena Gall won the 800 m in 2:03.33, Rebecca Tracy the mile 4:39.52 and Jamaican Jodi-Ann Muir 52.34 in the 400 m. Former NCAA Champion Kylie Hutson cleared good 460 in the pole vault.
CHAPEL HILL (USA, Feb 2): Bahamian Ramon Gittens clocked 6.70 at the Gene Anderson Invitational. National team member in women sprints Lisa Barber won the 60 m in 7.35 and Amber Campbell got 22.93 in the weight throw.
LINCOLN (USA, Feb 2): Excellent high jumping by Dusty Jonas who is returning from injury. He cleared 234, second best mark in the world this year at the Husker Invitational. Marcus Rowland won the 60 m in 6.66, NCAA Champion Andrew Riley from Jamaica 7.76 at 60 m hurdles. Dedric Dukes clocked 20.95 in the 200 m and Arman Hall 46.61 at the 400 m. Octavious Freeman was the best in the 60 m 7.25 and 200 m 23.40. World junior champion at 400 m Ashley Spencer was second in 23.42 at the 200 m. Good heptathlon by Japheth Cato 6024 points.
FLAGSTAFF (USA, Feb 2): Croatian Dario Horvat won the 60 m at the Mountain “T” Invitational using the favorable altitude to 6.65 improvement (just 0.03 behind the national record). Second Ryan Milus 6.67 over Leroy Dixon 6.68. Greek Katerina Stefanidi cleared 445 in the pole vault, her indoor best.
NEW YORK (USA, Feb 2): Armory Collegiate Invitational saw Aaron Ernest winning the 200 m in 20.83. Trinidad´s Deon Lendore topped the 400 m in 46.49 over David Verburg 46.56. Hurdles world leader Brianna Rollins impressed with 23.22 200 m win.
UNIVERSITY PARK (USA, Feb 2): New world leading mark in the shot put by world indoor champion Ryan Whiting with 21.59 m highlighted the Sykes & Sabook Challenge Cup.
LUBBOCK (USA, Feb 2): Solid times at the overiszed track during the Red Raider Open meet. Tyler Daniel Harper won the 400 m in 46.80 and Vernon Norwood the 600 yards in 1:08.80. Michelle Carter got 18.35 in the women shot put.
WINSTON SALEM (USA, Feb 2): Good mile at the Hilton Garden Invitational as Cory Leslie clocked 3:57.81 and South African Peter Van der Westhuizen 3:59.43.
AKRON (USA, Feb 2): World junior champion Shaunae Miller of Bahamas clocked in her first ever 200 m and 400 m indoors at Akron Invitational good 23.99 and 52.96. Canadian junior Shawn Barber cleared 558 in the pole vault.
BIRMINGHAM (GBR, Feb 2): James Dasaolu ran 6.60 in his seasons debut in the heats at the 60 m, matching the British Athletics standard for Gothenburg and then withdrew from the final which was won by Andy Robertson in 6.68. In separate 400 m races Richard Strachan clocked an indoor best of 46.22 and Richard Buck 46.47. Womens 60m was won by Asha Philip in a fast 7.24. The 400 m star Christine Ohuruogu was third in 7.64. Eilidh Child won the 400 m in 52.71 after a 53.12 heat.
LUXEMBOURG (LUX, Feb 2): At the 11th edition of Dussmann Meet olympic medalist Zuzana Hejnova improved her 400 m overall best to 52.18. Second 20-years old Dutch Madiea Ghafoor improved her overall best to 52.66. Nigerian Egwero Ogho-Ogene won the 60 m in 6.67 and Dutch Koen Smet the 60 m hurdles 7.77. Jamile Samuel won the 60 m in 7.30 and Czech Lenka Masna the 800 m in 2:03.15. German Katharina Bauer cleared 435 in the pole vault, her indoor best.
HAUGESUND (NOR, Feb 2): Best result during the first day of Norwegian Champioships the 430 by Cathrine Larsasen in the pole vault.
AGIOS KOSMAS (GRE, Feb 2): Makis Stergioulis clocked here at the open meet 6.65 in the 60 m.
FERMO (ITA, Feb 2): Roberta Bruni cleared at local new Italian senior pole vault record 451 while still beeing a junior.
PRAHA (CZE, Feb 2): Jirina Svobodova won the local event with 442 over Romana Malacova who got the Goteborg standard with also 442, her overall PB.
ANCONA (ITA, Feb 2): Olympic fourth placer Daniele Greco opened the season with good 17.07 in the triple jump.
GOTEBORG (SWE, Feb 2): Odain Rose another fast 60 m here in 6.65, but this is not the hall which will be used for European Indoor Championships. Denmark´s Nick Ekelund-Arenander clocked 47.39 in the 400 m.
LINZ (AUT, Feb 2): Greek Kostadinos Filippidis cleared at local meet 570 in the pole vault.
DIJON (FRA, Feb 2): At Happy Jump indoor meet Melanie Melfort went over 190 in the high jump and Angelica Bengtsson over 442 in the pole vault. Chinese male winner Yang Yansheng cleared 562 cm. He is former world youth champion and missed his Chinese senior indoor record only by 2 cm.
ST. LOUIS (USA, Feb 2): At US CC Championships Chris Derrick won the 12 km men senior title in 35:38 beating Dathan Ritzenhein 35:44 and Matt Tegenkamp 35:55. In women 8 km Shalane Flanagan got the title in 25:49 clearly over Kim Conley 26:06. Deena Kastor returned as third 26:41 ahead of Emily Infeld 26:48. Junior titles for Craig Nowak (24:47 at 8 km) and Emily Stites (20:27 at 4 km).
OTHER NEWS
BIRMINGHAM (GBR): UK Athletics informs that former top long distance runner Ian Stewart has decided to leave UK Athletics with immediate effect in order to pursue independent career opportunities. Stewart has been a vital cog in the machinery of British Athletics for more than 20 years, most notably as Meet Director for the successful televised event series where Britain has built a reputation for hosting the best meetings in the world both indoors and outdoors. Since 2008 Ian has also been UKA’s Head of Endurance, responsible for devising and managing a coordinated endurance strategy for leading British runners alongside key partners such as London Marathon and Nova. Under Ian’s leadership, the GB & NI Cross Country team has been arguably the most successful of all sports at a European level, finishing the number one ranked team for five consecutive years. Former GB & NI endurance runner Spencer Barden who has worked alongside Stewart for four years now steps up to replace him as Athlete Liaison Director, reporting to Cherry Alexander who has been in charge of Televised events since they were brought in-house.
MOSCOW (RUS): 2009 Pole vault world champion Anna Rogowska did not compete in Moscow at Russian Winter due to high fever. Top Kenyan miler Silas Kplagat withdrew from 1500 m because of an injury.
LYON (FRA): The season
did not start well for European Champion Christophe Lemaitre. He injured slightly at a club meeting in Lyon during the 60 m heat (6.79). He then withdrew from the final. Has also waived the 200 m. “He needs one day of rest,” noted his coach Pierre Carraz. Lemaitre still should be able to run in Dusseldorf on Friday.
