Kendra Harrison Breaks 100mH American Record, Full Prefontaine Recap
Kendra Harrison Breaks 100mH American Record, Full Prefontaine Recap
The Prefontaine Classic delivered record-breaking performances across a number of events, notably the women’s steeplechase and the women’s 100m hurdles wher
The Prefontaine Classic delivered record-breaking performances across a number of events, notably the women’s steeplechase and the women’s 100m hurdles where Emma Coburn and Kendra Harrison shattered two previous American records. Here are the notable performances from Saturday’s action in Eugene, Oregon.
Kendra Harrison Breaks American Record in 100m Hurdles
Former Kentucky NCAA Champion Kendra Harrison stole the show in the women’s 100m hurdles with an American record run in 12.24. Harrison claimed the victory in Eugene against a field that could very well be the Olympic final as World Indoor Champion Nia Ali, Olympic silver medalist Dawn Harper Nelson, Sharika Nelvis, Brianna Rollins, Jasmin Stowers, and Tiffany Porter were all in the field.
Harrison’s performance stands at No. 2 all-time in the world and is just 0.03 seconds slower than Yordanka Donkova’s world record of 12.21.
Emma Coburn Breaks the American Record in Steeplechase
In her first steeplechase of 2016, Emma Coburn threw down an American record run with a third-place finish in 9:10.73.
Coburn placed third behind Ruth Jebet who closed in a nail-biter finish against runner-up Hyvin Kiyeng. Jebet finished in 8:59.97 and Kiyeng finished in 9:00.01. Each athlete claimed a record in their respective continent or country of origin.
Coburn’s performance breaks training partner Jenny Simpson’s American record of 9:12.50. Her previous personal best of 9:11.42, which was run in Glasgow in 2014, is faster than Simpson’s mark but was not ratified because Coburn failed to take a drug test following the performance in Scotland.
Coburn’s performance on Saturday was ratified after a drug test and now stands as the official American record in the steeplechase. The steeplechaser was eager to share the good news with her fans over Twitter following the race in Eugene.
Asbel Kiprop Wins 4th Bowerman Mile, HS Seniors Drew Hunter, Michael Slagowski Break 4 Again
Despite uneven pacing, three-time World Champion Asbel Kiprop dropped a 3:51.54 victory to claim his fourth Bowerman Mile victory. He was followed by Abdalaati Iguider in 3:51.96 and Elijah Motonei Manangoi in 3:52.39. Americans Ben Blankenship and Evan Jager finished in seventh (3:53) and eighth (3:54), respectively.
For the third time this season, high school senior Drew Hunter broke the four-minute mile barrier with a 3:58.86 finishing time in the Bowerman Mile. He had previously broken four minutes at the Armory Invitational and the Millrose Games (where he ran his 3:57 PR) during the indoor season.
The men’s international mile also displayed several standout performances, including Charlie Grice who kicked to a 3:52.64 winning time, as well as high school senior Michael Slagowski who broke four minutes once again with a 3:59.78 fourth-place finish.
Faith Kipyegon Breaks Kenyan National Record, Jenny Simpson Finishes 4th in 4:01.57
The women’s 1500m was led by a standout performance from World silver medalist Faith Kipyegon who claimed the victory in a new Kenyan national record of 3:56.41. She was followed by Ethiopians Dawit Seyaum and Gudaf Tsegay who both closed in 3:58 and 4:00, respectively.
The American contingent was led by a season’s best for Jenny Simpson who closed for fourth overall in 4:01.57. She was followed by Australian Linden Hall who ran a massive PR of 4:01.78.
Shelby Houlihan of the Bowerman Track Club also recorded an impressive run and personal best in her first ever Diamond League competition with a 4:03.39 seventh-place finish, just ahead of World bronze medalist Brenda Martinez.
Tori Bowie Upsets World Champion Dafne Schippers in 200m
World Championship bronze medalist Tori Bowie upset defending World Champion Dafne Schippers by sweeping the women’s 200m in a personal best of 21.99. Bowie beat Schippers handily as the Dutch sprinter finished in 22.11 and was followed by Elaine Thompson in 22.16.
Boris Berian Wins Prefontaine Debut 1 Week After Being Served by Nike
The World Indoor Champion ended a rollercoaster week by easily winning his debut at the Prefontaine Classic in 1:44.20, beating runner-up Ferguson Cheruiyot Rotich and Mohammed Aman.
The performance followed an emotional week at the HOKA ONE ONE Middle Distance Classic where Berian was served with a lawsuit for breach of contract by Nike. Berian tweeted the news as it happened from Eagle Rock, California last Friday. Since the news broke, fans have created the social media hashtag #FreeBoris in support of the Big Bear Track Club athlete in the lawsuit against the sportswear giant.
Justin Gatlin Sweeps 100m Field in 9.85
In a stacked field that included former world record-holder Asafa Powell, Olympic medalist Tyson Gay, World bronze medalist Andre De Grasse, and Mike Rogers, Justin Gatlin showed his dominance by winning the race in 9.88. The mark was not wind-legal, but the performance stands as an all-conditions season’s best for the two-time World Champion.
Kendra Harrison Breaks American Record in 100m Hurdles
Former Kentucky NCAA Champion Kendra Harrison stole the show in the women’s 100m hurdles with an American record run in 12.24. Harrison claimed the victory in Eugene against a field that could very well be the Olympic final as World Indoor Champion Nia Ali, Olympic silver medalist Dawn Harper Nelson, Sharika Nelvis, Brianna Rollins, Jasmin Stowers, and Tiffany Porter were all in the field.
AMERICAN RECORD for @KeniUSATF who runs 12.24 to win 100mH at #PrefontaineClassic! pic.twitter.com/8P5RNeQ0l2
— FloTrack (@FloTrack) May 28, 2016
Harrison’s performance stands at No. 2 all-time in the world and is just 0.03 seconds slower than Yordanka Donkova’s world record of 12.21.
Emma Coburn Breaks the American Record in Steeplechase
In her first steeplechase of 2016, Emma Coburn threw down an American record run with a third-place finish in 9:10.73.
.@emmajcoburn set the US record in the #PreClassic Steeplechase. pic.twitter.com/mA8ehflg9k
— TrackTown USA (@GoTrackTownUSA) May 28, 2016
Coburn placed third behind Ruth Jebet who closed in a nail-biter finish against runner-up Hyvin Kiyeng. Jebet finished in 8:59.97 and Kiyeng finished in 9:00.01. Each athlete claimed a record in their respective continent or country of origin.
Coburn’s performance breaks training partner Jenny Simpson’s American record of 9:12.50. Her previous personal best of 9:11.42, which was run in Glasgow in 2014, is faster than Simpson’s mark but was not ratified because Coburn failed to take a drug test following the performance in Scotland.
Coburn’s performance on Saturday was ratified after a drug test and now stands as the official American record in the steeplechase. The steeplechaser was eager to share the good news with her fans over Twitter following the race in Eugene.
Drug test done. #AmericanRecord
— emma coburn (@emmajcoburn) May 28, 2016
Asbel Kiprop Wins 4th Bowerman Mile, HS Seniors Drew Hunter, Michael Slagowski Break 4 Again
Despite uneven pacing, three-time World Champion Asbel Kiprop dropped a 3:51.54 victory to claim his fourth Bowerman Mile victory. He was followed by Abdalaati Iguider in 3:51.96 and Elijah Motonei Manangoi in 3:52.39. Americans Ben Blankenship and Evan Jager finished in seventh (3:53) and eighth (3:54), respectively.
First time there's ever been a 4 time Bowerman Mile Champion.
— TrackTown USA (@GoTrackTownUSA) May 28, 2016
Congrats @KipropAsbel pic.twitter.com/aAm21ilbc2
For the third time this season, high school senior Drew Hunter broke the four-minute mile barrier with a 3:58.86 finishing time in the Bowerman Mile. He had previously broken four minutes at the Armory Invitational and the Millrose Games (where he ran his 3:57 PR) during the indoor season.
The men’s international mile also displayed several standout performances, including Charlie Grice who kicked to a 3:52.64 winning time, as well as high school senior Michael Slagowski who broke four minutes once again with a 3:59.78 fourth-place finish.
Faith Kipyegon Breaks Kenyan National Record, Jenny Simpson Finishes 4th in 4:01.57
The women’s 1500m was led by a standout performance from World silver medalist Faith Kipyegon who claimed the victory in a new Kenyan national record of 3:56.41. She was followed by Ethiopians Dawit Seyaum and Gudaf Tsegay who both closed in 3:58 and 4:00, respectively.
Faith Kipyegon's terrific range:
— IAAF Diamond League (@Diamond_League) May 28, 2016
800m 1:58.02
1500m 3:56.40
3000m 8:23.55
5000m 14:31.95
The American contingent was led by a season’s best for Jenny Simpson who closed for fourth overall in 4:01.57. She was followed by Australian Linden Hall who ran a massive PR of 4:01.78.
Women's 1500! #runnerspace https://t.co/zuAMAYZ4GU pic.twitter.com/UNII7EXAvW
— Nike Portland XC (@nikeportlandxc) May 28, 2016
Shelby Houlihan of the Bowerman Track Club also recorded an impressive run and personal best in her first ever Diamond League competition with a 4:03.39 seventh-place finish, just ahead of World bronze medalist Brenda Martinez.
Tori Bowie Upsets World Champion Dafne Schippers in 200m
World Championship bronze medalist Tori Bowie upset defending World Champion Dafne Schippers by sweeping the women’s 200m in a personal best of 21.99. Bowie beat Schippers handily as the Dutch sprinter finished in 22.11 and was followed by Elaine Thompson in 22.16.
Boris Berian Wins Prefontaine Debut 1 Week After Being Served by Nike
The World Indoor Champion ended a rollercoaster week by easily winning his debut at the Prefontaine Classic in 1:44.20, beating runner-up Ferguson Cheruiyot Rotich and Mohammed Aman.
The performance followed an emotional week at the HOKA ONE ONE Middle Distance Classic where Berian was served with a lawsuit for breach of contract by Nike. Berian tweeted the news as it happened from Eagle Rock, California last Friday. Since the news broke, fans have created the social media hashtag #FreeBoris in support of the Big Bear Track Club athlete in the lawsuit against the sportswear giant.
Justin Gatlin Sweeps 100m Field in 9.85
In a stacked field that included former world record-holder Asafa Powell, Olympic medalist Tyson Gay, World bronze medalist Andre De Grasse, and Mike Rogers, Justin Gatlin showed his dominance by winning the race in 9.88. The mark was not wind-legal, but the performance stands as an all-conditions season’s best for the two-time World Champion.
3 Americans in top 4 #PreClassic men's 100m:
— USATF (@usatf) May 28, 2016
1 @justingatlin 9.88
2 @officialasafa 9.94
3 @TysonLGay 9.98
4 @Mr_Rodgers_DAT 9.99