FULL 2011 PREFONTAINE CLASSIC COVERAGE

FRIDAY

Men 25000m/30000m

75 laps later, we have new 25,000m and 30,000m world records, broken by 90 seconds and over two minutes, respectively. Moses Mosop ran 5 miles (20 continuous laps) at one point without running a lap over 70 seconds. Incredibly impressive, and the Oregon crowd cheered him on every step of the way, encouraging him more and more at his 20k, 25k, and 30k world records and starting slow-claps and chants every time he came by the big grandstand. Lapping everyone in the field at least once, he looked in control and calm as he crossed the line.

1 Mosop , Moses Cheruiyot KEN 1:26:47.4
2 Kirui , Abel KEN 1:30:00.1
3 Macharinyang , Hosea Mwok KEN 1:32:25.6
4 Chirlee , Joseph KEN 1:34:12.7
5 Ennani , Adil MAR 1:40:26.6

Men 10,000m   Watch Race Video

What started off as two big disappointing moments evolved into an incredibly entertaining race. We knew for a fact that it was going to be a fast race and most definitely under 27 minutes, but the big question was what records would be broken, if any. With Galen Rupp not towing the line at the last minute and Chris Solisky dropping out after 3k, the race had a much different feel. Nevertheless, the physical nature of the runners up front proved for an exciting race…That, and Mo Farah reeling in the field lap after lap and runner after runner, finally taking the lead with about 800m left and kicking to a win over an incredibly impressive international field and an even more impressive British National Record in 26:46. The field as a whole had 9 runners under 27 minutes!

1 Farah , Mohammed GBR 26:46.57
2 Merga , Imane ETH 26:48.35
3 Kipkoech , Josphat Bett KEN 26:48.99
4Tanui , Paul Kipngetich KEN 26:50.63
5 Tadese , Zersenay ERI 26:51.09
6 Sihine , Sileshi ETH 26:52.84
7 Kisorio , Mathew Kipkoech KEN 26:54.25
8 Kiptoo , Mark Kosgey KEN 26:54.64
9 Komon , Leonard Patrick KEN 26:55.29
10 Kipsang , Geoffrey KEN 27:06.35
11 Masai , Moses Ndiema KEN 27:10.05
12 Rotich , Lucas Kimeli KEN 27:12.24
13 Cheruiyot , John Kemboi KEN 27:22.09
14 Kuma , Abera ETH 27:22.54
15 Ebuya , Joseph KEN 27:28.20
16 Kigen , Mike Kipruto KEN 27:30.61
17 Medhin , Teklemariam ERI 27:37.21
18 Abshero , Ayele ETH 27:48.84
19 Masai , Dennis Chepkongin KEN 27:51.92
20 Salel , Daniel Lemashon KEN 28:04.63

Women 5000m

There was a great blanket finish of Kenyan runners, with Vivan Cheruiyot coming out on top in a meet record 14:33 and OTC’s Sally Kipyego mixing it up in 14:39, just a second off her PR. Kipyego continues her progression, as the Texas Tech alum continues to develop into one of the world's best distance runners. Olympian Shalane Flanagan put her nose in there and came out just 5 seconds off her PR in 14:49, setting herself for some great things later this summer. Kara Goucher also made a strong showing, running 15:11 for 9^th place.

1 Cheruiyot , Vivian Jepkemoi KEN 14:33.96 4
2 Masai , Linet Chepkwemoi KEN 14:35.44 2
3 Cherono , Mercy KEN 14:37.01 1
4 Kipyego , Sally KEN 14:39.71
5 Korikwiang , Pauline Chemning KEN 14:47.71
6 Flanagan , Shalane USA 14:49.68
7 Ayalew , Wude ETH 14:59.71
8 Chemtai , Esther KEN 15:00.08
9 Goucher , Kara USA 15:11.47
10 Chepkurui , Lineth KEN 15:15.15
11 Wright , Megan CAN 15:15.33
12 Maloy , Elizabeth USA 15:40.20
13 Wellings , Eloise AUS 15:41.49
14 Muriuki , Margaret Wangari KEN 15:48.22
15 Begley , Amy USA 15:54.64
16 Areson , Jackie USA 16:09.51

SATURDAY

Men International Mile

The race went out quick in a 56 second lap, but that didn’t keep Australia’s Ryan Gregson from kicking home to a solid 3:53. After being injured for some time, Gregson came on strong in the final 100m, taking it home in an impressive time. 

1 Gregson , Ryan AUS 3:53.86
2 Torrence , David USA 3:54.01
3 Blankenship , Ben USA 3:54.10
4 Yego , Alfred Kirwa KEN 3:55.18
5 Miller , Kyle USA 3:55.38
6 Kemboi , Nicholas Kiptanui KEN 3:56.19
7 Jager , Evan USA 3:56.21
8 Aman , Mohammed ETH 3:57.14
9 Ali , Belal Mansoor BRN 4:05.22

Men 3000m Steeple

A lot of “no-mans land” for the U.S. runners out there. A strong front three of two Kenyan runners and Roba Gary of Ethiopia pushing the pace from the gun, the race was quickly strung out. It quickly developed into two races between those front three and the rest of the field.  A disappointing showing for the U.S. runners, none of whom PR’ed. Billy Nelson was by far the most optimistic after the race. Since he already has the A standard, he was simply looking to run well while Kyle Alcorn, Dan Huling, and Ben Bruce were far away from their best. The front three finished between 8:08 and 8:11 while the next finisher did not cross the line for another 13 seconds.

1 Kemboi , Ezekiel KEN 8:08.34 4
2 Koech , Paul Kipsiele KEN 8:10.13 2
3 Gari , Roba ETH 8:11.34 1
4 Ramolefi , Ruben RSA 8:24.95
5 Huling , Daniel USA 8:25.95
6 Alcorn , Kyle USA 8:26.88
7 Nelson , William USA 8:28.67
8 Bruce , Ben USA 8:37.27
9 Slattery , Steve USA 8:50.95
10 Abdi , Youcef AUS 8:52.32

Women 400H

Lashinda Demus lowers the meet record and runs world leading time in 53.31. In a fight to the finish, she comes out on top over two Jamaican runners Kaliese Spenver and Melaine Walker. Demus, who had the slowest season time out of the three, takes the race at the line.

1 Demus , Lashinda USA 53.31 4
2 Spencer , Kaliese JAM 53.45 2
3 Walker , Melaine JAM 53.56 1
4 Hejnová , Zuzana CZE 54.26
5 Shakes-Drayton , Perri GBR 55.36
6 Odumosu , Muizat Ajoke NGR 56.36
7 Tosta , Sheena USA 57.42
8 Lucas , Josanne TRI 57.76 

Men 800m

Kaki commanded the race, running with the rabbits, and eventually won, running away in 1:43.68. It is the only sub 1:44 time in the world this year. Khadevis Robinson continues to run well, coming in a distant second in 1:45.2. Robinson said that the race was quite physical, and after a quick sub-50 second first lap by pacer Matt Scherer, a lot of jostling occurred coming into the final turn. An incredibly disappointed Nick Symmonds didn’t quite want to comment on his performance this afternoon, citing that he hopes he will be more prepared by USA’s. Wheating, finishing substantially better than Symmonds, was more optimistic, saying he knows hes still in good shape, it was just a bit of an off day.

1 Kaki , Abubaker SUD 1:43.68
2 Robinson , Khadevis USA 1:45.40
3 Lalang , Boaz Kiplagat KEN 1:45.49
4 Kivuva , Jackson Mumbwa KEN 1:45.82
5 Wheating , Andrew USA 1:45.95
6 Renshaw , Lachlan AUS 1:46.11
7 Mulder , Tyler USA 1:46.39
8 Symmonds , Nick USA 1:46.78

Women 1500m

The pack, remaining fairly intact for most of the race was eventually broken down in the final 200m as Gelete Burka of Etheopia displayed some incredible foot speed by winning in 4:04, putting almost a second on the second and third place runners. Morgan Uceny was the most impressive American finisher, grabbing a 3rd place finish in 4:06. Katie Follett and Christin Wurth-Thomas both had off-days.

1 Burka , Gelete ETH 4:04.63
2 Jamal , Maryam Yusuf BRN 4:05.44
3 Uceny , Morgan USA 4:06.32
4 Fernández , Nuria ESP 4:06.66
5 Langat , Nancy Jebet KEN 4:07.04
6 Hamblin , Nikki NZL 4:07.14
7 Clement Moser , Treniere USA 4:07.57
8 Bogale , Tizita ETH 4:08.25
9 Hilali , Siham MAR 4:08.33
10 Wurth-Thomas , Christin USA 4:08.55
11 Buckman , Zoe AUS 4:09.82
12 Soboleva , Elena RUS 4:10.34
13 Follett , Katie USA 4:10.52
14 Hall , Sara USA 4:15.58

Men 110m Hurdles   Watch Race Video

David Oliver dazzles the Eugene crowd, running sub 13 seconds to beat China’s Liu Xiang. A bit behind out of the blocks, Oliver gained ground and held his small lead through the sprint at the end, fending off a huge challenge from Xiang. After losing to Liu Xiang just a few weeks ago at the Shanghai Diamond Leauge Meet,, snapping his streak of 18 straight wins, David Oliver runs 12.94, the only sub 13 second time of the day to get revenge over his international rival. A big surprise for the home crowd was Ashton Eaton who ran 13.35, a huge PR against some of the top hurdlers in the world.

1 Oliver , David USA 12.94 4
2 Liu , Xiang CHN 13.00 2
3 Merritt , Aries USA 13.18 1
4 Turner , Andrew GBR 13.33
5 Eaton , Ashton USA 13.35
6 Wilson , Ryan USA 13.41
7 Shi , Dongpeng CHN 13.44
8 Ash , Ronnie USA 13.49 

Men 400m   Watch Race Video

Big win for Angelo Taylor, holding off Jeremy Wariner down the final stretch, winning in 45.16. All of the top 5 runners were at least a second of their personal bests. A fairly slow final time for the field, but Taylor still beat the likes of Wariner, David Neville, and Bershawn Jackson. Oscar Pistorius was also in the race, finishing last in 46.33. The biggest story was Wariner, who looked off the entire race. Can he get it back in a few weeks at USA's?

1 Taylor , Angelo USA 45.16 4
2 Wariner , Jeremy USA 45.43 2
3 Borlée , Kévin BEL 45.51 1
4 Neville , David USA 45.70
5 Bingham , Michael GBR 45.74
6 Jackson , Bershawn USA 45.91
7 Scott , Joshua USA 46.16
8 Pistorius , Oscar RSA 46.33 

Men 2-Mile   Watch Race Video

While the overall time may have been a bit slower than the runners were looking for (sub-8:10), the race was anything but disappointing. With strong moves from Tegenkamp on the back stretch, a blistering kick from Lagat to win, and Lukas Verzbicas breaking the high school record by 5 seconds, the two mile may have been the race of the day. Tegenkamp, citing some frustration after the Payton Jordan invite about his mileage training, said he put in some more speed work since then and it showed. Moving up into third with 200m left, Tegenkamp looked confident and fast. He ended up finishing 5^th.  Bernard Lagat had the kick of the day, passing three runners on the home strech to take home the win in 8:13. Verzbicas, running the final two laps by himself, ran around 63 seconds per lap like clockwork, finally crossing the finishing line in an impressive 8:29. The future University of Oregon runner said it worked out exactly how he had planned, saying he had even prepared to run under 8:30.

1 Lagat , Bernard USA 8:13.62
2 Soi , Edwin Cheruiyot KEN 8:14.10
3 Koech , Isiah Kiplangat KEN 8:14.16
4 Bekele , Tariku ETH 8:15.40
5 Tegenkamp , Matthew USA 8:15.88
6 Kipchoge , Eliud KEN 8:16.74
7 Birmingham , Collis AUS 8:17.91
8 Bett , David Kiprotich KEN 8:18.72
9 Leer , Will USA 8:19.11
10 Bumbalough , Andrew USA 8:21.65
11 Verzbickas , Lukas LTU 8:29.46

VISA Women 100m   Watch Race Video

USA runner Carmelita Jeter runs 10.70, a new meet record time in beating the field by an impressive margin, getting a rise from the crowd as she crossed the line. Jeter looked commanding out there, beating the field by a comfortable .16 second margin. The time is now the World Leading time for the season and the 2nd fastest time of Jeter's career.

1 Jeter , Carmelita USA 10.70 4
2 Myers , Marshevet USA 10.86 2
3 Stewart , Kerron JAM 10.87 1
4 Fraser - Price , Shelly-Ann JAM 10.95
5 Simpson , Sherone JAM 11.00
6 Anderson , Alexandria USA 11.02
7 Okagbare , Blessing NGR 11.08
8 Williams , Lauryn USA 11.15 

Men 100m   Watch Race Video

Steve Mullings won with a meet record time and increased his world leading time by .09 seconds, running 9.80. USA runner Michael Rodgers finishes second with a huge PR to break 9.9 seconds, running 9.85. 6 men broke 10, as Justin Gatlin got under 10 for the first time since his banning.

1 Mullings , Steve JAM 9.80
2 Rodgers , Mike USA 9.85
3 Carter , Nesta JAM 9.92
4 Patton , Darvis USA 9.94
5 Frater , Michael JAM 9.94
6 Gatlin , Justin USA 9.97
7 Thompson , Richard TRI 10.01
8 Williams , Ivory USA 10.02

Women 800m   Watch Race Video

With the strong core of U.S. 800 meter runners in a world class field that included Caster Semenya, there was an electric feel around this race. From the gun, Maggie Vessy settled into the back of the pack. The field came through 200 in 27.4. The field was still very close together as the rabbit came through 400 in 57.14. Coming from 5^th at 600m, Semenya put a big move on the field but comes up short in the last 100m with Jamaica's Kenia Sinclair holding off the field to win in a world leading 1:58.29. Geena Gall, the only runner in the field who had not broken 2:00 finally breaks through the barrier, clocking 1:59.76 for 6^th place. Also a great race for Anna Pierce, finishing 8th in 2:00.19.

1 Sinclair , Kenia JAM 1:58.29 4
2 Semenya , Caster RSA 1:58.88 2
3 Busienei , Janeth Jepkosgei KEN 1:59.15 1
4 Johnson , Alysia USA 1:59.40
5 Rusanova , Yuliya RUS 1:59.59
6 Gall , Geena USA 1:59.76
7 Wright , Phoebe USA 2:00.05
8 Pierce , Anna USA 2:00.19
9 Vessey , Maggie USA 2:00.39
10 Simpson , Jemma GBR 2:00.68
11 Jelimo , Pamela KEN 2:09.12

Men 200m   Watch Race Video

Walter Dix puts a big move on the field with 50m left to win in 20.19. He was incredibly patient, overtaking Jaysuma Saidy Ndure from Norway who went out hard in lane 4. Dix, however, was only one of two runners in the race not to run a season best. Ndure looked to have it in the bag with 30 left, but his form completely fell apart in the final meters, as Dix was able to grab the win.

1 Dix , Walter USA 20.19 4
2 Saidy Ndure , Jaysuma NOR 20.26 2
3 Martina , Churandy NED 20.39 1
4 Sorrillo , Rondel TRI 20.51
5 Carter , Xavier USA 20.55
6 Callander , Emmanuel TRI 20.67
7 Kimmons , Trell USA 20.71
8 Dixon , Leroy USA 20.79 

Women 400m   Watch Race Video

Amantle Motsho wins by a comfortable margin with four runners from the USA behind her. With all the runners in the field having run under 50 seconds, it was alarming to see only one runner dip under 51 seconds. Montsho ran confident and commanded the race from the start to the finish line. Allyson Felix (who false started but was still allowed to run) was off, fading in the final 100 to finish 3rd.

1 Montsho , Amantle BOT 50.59
2 Dunn , Debbie USA 51.37
3 Felix , Allyson USA 51.41
4 Richards-Ross , Sanya USA 51.78
5 Hastings , Natasha USA 51.85
6 Williams , Shericka JAM 52.16
7 Firova , Tatyana RUS 52.27
8 Ustalova , Kseniya RUS 54.05

Men Bowerman Mile   Watch Race Video

Under 56 for the first lap and 1:55.6 at 800m, the pacers that were out hard were finally caught just after 800m. Coming into the last lap, Kiplagant takes the lead with 200m left. With company coming into the last 100m it look like he was barley hanging on, losing his form and swimming for the finish. Fellow Kenyan runner Haron Keitany passes him on the inside to take the mile in just over 3:49, a world leading time by over 9 seconds. The race had 5 runners under 3:50, 8 runners better then 3:51, and all under 3:54. Most notably, a huge personal record and confidence booster for Russell Brown going into the USA Championship with a 5 second improvement to run 3:51.45.

1 Keitany , Haron KEN 3:49.09 4
2 Kiplagat , Silas KEN 3:49.39 2
3 Kiprop , Asbel KEN 3:49.55 1
4 Gebremedhin , Mekonnen ETH 3:49.70
5 Ndiku , Caleb Mwangangi KEN 3:49.77
6 Komen , Daniel Kipchirchir KEN 3:50.29
7 Alamirew , Yenew ETH 3:50.43
8 Moustaoui , Mohamed MAR 3:50.67
9 Brown , Russell USA 3:51.45
10 Willis , Nicholas NZL 3:51.95
11 Gathimba , Gideon KEN 3:53.76
12 Lomong , Lopez USA 3:53.85