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TrackTown says good-bye to World Juniors

TRACKTOWN USA SAYS GOODBYE TO WORLD JUNIORS, TURNS ATTENTION TO FUTURE CHAMPIONSHIPS By Chris Lotsbom, @ChrisLotsbom (c) 2014 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved. Used with permission.   EUGENE, OREGON (28-Jul) -- Thirty-eight buses have begun the back-and-forth journey to airports here and in Portland, Ore., shuttling more than 1700 athletes who competed at the IAAF World Junior Championships. Fewer than 24 hours after the final gold medal was presented, TrackTown USA has begun a transformation, bidding adieu to thousands of spectators, fans, volunteers, and athletes.   Moving trucks are parked outside of historic Hayward Field, loaded with everything from television equipment to hurdles. Sidewalks, once filled with athletes sporting jackets from hundreds of countries around the globe, are now empty.   With the conclusion of these championships, TrackTown USA's President Vin Lananna breathed a sigh of relief. The former head track and field coach and assistant athletic director at the University of Oregon summed the games up as a fulfilled promise, a festive atmosphere that surpassed his expectations.   "As far as I was concerned, when we made the presentation to the [IAAF] council a couple of years ago, we told them we were going to give them an exciting, enthusiastic crowd and a community that was going to embrace these athletes and provide them with the best experience possible," Lananna told the media on Sunday. "Based on all measures that we have anecdotally, this was a grand success."   A total of 51,532 spectators filled the grandstands of Hayward Field over the course of six days, making for a festive and celebratory atmosphere that reached a crescendo on Saturday and Sunday.   Now that competition has concluded and athletes are on their way out of town, Lananna and TrackTown USA turn their attention to a pair of big events looming on the horizon: the 2016 IAAF World Indoor Championships --to be held in Portland some 120 miles north of here-- and the potential opportunity to host the 2019 IAAF World Outdoor Championships.   While athletes celebrated the conclusion of the meet by taking selfies on Hayward Field's track and trading team gear with other competitors, Lananna spoke at length about what the future holds.   "These kids, I hope what they saw was what could happen on a bigger stage when they go to the senior world championships and there are 40,000 people in the stadium," he said. "The Oregonians, and in particular those spectators who came from Eugene, our Hayward Field faithful, did a great job. I have no doubt that if they want to do this in 2019, yes we can pull it off."   Lananna said he plans to meet with members of his staff today to review all aspects of the meet, hoping to learn what needs to be done better when Portland plays host to the three-day World Indoor Championships in under than two years.   "I'm sure there are some," Lananna responded when asked about what specific alterations he'd make. "Right now, standing here, I would say every national anthem that was played, every kid that walked in, every smile that was on the podium, that's what I'll choose to focus on today and maybe on Monday we can figure out what those tweaks are."   Lananna did not answer if the International Association of Athletics Federation had given any feedback on the job TrackTown USA did, simply saying that he did not want to speak for the international governing body.   Touching upon the strengths of Eugene as a host city, Lananna was impressed by the University of Oregon's ability to host athletes and provide a relaxed and comfortable living environment. Athletes could often be seen playing basketball and beach volleyball during the championships, conversing with other nations. All competitors resided in the University's dormitories, a setting that allowed them to mingle freely.   From this writer's perspective, the city of about 156,000 people proved itself as the track and field capital of North America. Lananna described the host's role as authentic.   "It's a love of the sport for track and field," he said, pausing to try and put his thoughts into words. "I think that for many years, this community has done it's share world wide to host great events. I think that if I looked at what the difference would be [between a World Junior and World Senior Championship], it would just be more people with the same enthusiasm, and same excitement, embracing the athletes that compete here."   Lananna made sure that all reporters knew TrackTown USA had not yet decided whether or not to bid for the 2019 World Championships. If they did bid and were awarded the games, it would be the first time that an IAAF World Outdoor Championships was held in the United States.   "We will make a final determination in mid-September about 2019. Our desire is there to put a bid in, but we have not officially submitted a bid and will not do that until the 25th of September," Lananna confirmed.   Portland 2016 is the next big challenge, though Lananna firmly believes it is "going to be a killer" of a meet.   "The Oregonians will embrace that and it will be fantastic," he said. "It'll be a big event. It's not just going to be a track meet. It's going to be a celebration of the sport of track and field, and I think Oregonians should be front and center in that celebration."

Jul 28, 2014

Lananna Reacts To News of Four Ethiopians Missing from World Junior Championship

LANANNA REACTS TO NEWS OF FOUR ETHIOPIANS MISSING FROM WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS By Chris Lotsbom, @ChrisLotsbom (c) 2014 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved. Used with permission.   EUGENE, OREGON (27-Jul) -- In his press conference wrapping up the 15th edition of the IAAF World Junior Championships, TrackTown USA President Vin Lananna was pleased with the overall success achieved here at historic Hayward Field. Speaking about the Eugene community and enthusiasm that filled the stands each morning and afternoon, Lananna smiled for nearly 15 minutes, answering question after question posed by reporters.   Midway through his media session, Lananna was questioned about the report that surfaced today concerning four Ethiopian athletes who have been reported as missing. First filed by OregonLive.com's Wendy Owen, one boy and three girls from the East African country have been confirmed missing by University of Oregon officials and law enforcement agencies.   The news, which spread quickly through TrackTown USA, was on everyone's minds as today's track and field action began.   Responding to the inquiry, Lananna answered frankly after a brief moment of hesitation.   "You know, I don't really know what happened. I'm going to kick that off to the IAAF and see what they, see what the federations [have to say]. I don't really know what specifically happened. Our responsibilities as a local organizing committee is to organize the event, work with our federation --USA Track & Field-- put all the pieces together, and then get them checked into their housing, have the competitions start on time, end on time, give them their medals, and get them back safely," he said. "But all the other stuff around it, I don't know anything about it."   Some eight minutes later, Lananna was asked again about the case.   "We let the authorities and IAAF handle it. I don't know how they handle a situation like that," said Lananna, the former head track and field coach and assistant athletic director at the University of Oregon. "They haven't shared anything with us. So, I don't know whether to be concerned about it."   Members of the media seeking comment from the International Association of Athletics Federations earlier today had been directed to the public authorities working on the case. According to Owen, the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), City of Eugene police, and University of Oregon police are currently working on the missing persons investigation.   After Dawit Seyaum won 1500m gold on the Hayward Field oval this afternoon, she came through the media mixed zone with Ethiopian team doctor and translator Gemechis Mamo, as well as fellow teammate and silver medalist Gudaf Tsegay.   When asked about the four missing athletes, Mamo looked straight at members of the media and said a firm "No comment on that side."   Following a few race specific questions, Race Results Weekly asked Seyaum and Tsegay if they were worried or sad about their fellow countryman and women. Not allowing the pair of athletes to speak, Mamo shook his head signalling he would not answer the question.   At these championships, Ethiopia won three gold medals and three silver medals, tying for third with Great Britain and Russia for total medals won.   Spanning six days, organizers reported that 51,523 spectators watched the IAAF World Junior Championships.

Jul 28, 2014

The Tale of the Tape: Women's 1,500-meter Final

The Women's 1,500-meter final is today at 6:55pm ET. Could an American grab a medal? It could happen. Below, we preview each automatic qualifier in our Tale of the Tape.

Jul 27, 2014

Ethiopians Kejelcha, Haji Go One-Two In 5000m at WJC

ETHIOPIANS KEJELCHA, HAJI GO ONE-TWO IN 5000M AT WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS By Chris Lotsbom, @ChrisLotsbom (c) 2014 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved. Used with permission.   EUGENE, OREGON (25-Jul) -- Through three days of competition here at the IAAF World Junior Championships, Ethiopian men had gone without a medal of any kind, unable to reach the podium in the middle and long distance disciplines. That all changed in the span of thirteen minutes here on Friday evening, as Yomif Kejelcha and Yasin Haji swept 5000m gold and silver to conclude day four of competition. In a pure chess match of a race, the East African teammates were able to work together lap after lap, with Kejelcha ultimately prevailing in 13:25.19, a new personal best.   "I feel very happy for winning this 5000m," said Kejelcha, speaking through a translator to Race Results Weekly. "We have prepared very well for this competition and our coaches have trained us very well."   When Tuesday's 10,000m gold medalist Joshua Kiprui Cheptegei of Uganda took the leading duties from the opening lap, a pack of eight men --seven from East Africa-- immediately broke from the rest of the 18-man field.   As the laps went by, it became evident that team tactics were going to play a large factor in the race's outcome. The Ugandans (Cheptegei and Phillip Kipyeko), Kenyans (Moses Letoyie and Fredrick Kipkosgei Kiptoo), and Ethiopians (Kejelcha and Haji) all stuck with their fellow countrymen, moving in unison. Two athletes that lacked dancing partners --Eritrea's Tsegay Tuemay and Canada's Justyn Knight-- soon faded and fell off the pack.   "It has been part of our training to go out together. When my compatriot went first I had followed him, and then I started leading. This was our tactic all throughout," admitted the tall Kejelcha, standing at 6 feet, 1.25 inches (186cm).   Splitting 3000 meters in 8:12.27 and 4000 meters in 10:54.13, the race was rapidly developing. Each country's tandem had taken turns out front, yet the Ethiopian duo appeared the strongest of all, responding to every move effortlessly. With 800 meters remaining, it was Kejelcha who decided to surge.   Clocking a penultimate lap of 60.6, Haji did his best to hold on to Kejelcha, but it was to no avail. Kejelcha continued his surge through the finish, completing his final circuit in 59.6 seconds before claiming victory.   "We have been training to run in the 50's the last laps. That was part of our training. The first laps were slow paces, but then we took the lead and it was very fast. That was our training and our tactic too," said the resident of Ambo, a town west of Addis Ababa.   With the win, Kejelcha joins an impressive list of past champions hailing from Ethiopia. Among those to win World Junior Championships gold over 5000m are Haile Gebrselassie (1992) and Tariku Bekele (2006). Kejelcha's time here was faster than both of those Olympic medalists respective winning times (13:36.06 and 13:31.34, respectively).   "I feel happy and honored to join their class and with God's willing I'm planning to join them in the World Championships and Olympics too," he said with a smile and laugh. Kejelcha now owns a pair of global gold medals, as he was IAAF World Youth Champion over 3000m last year.   Haji took silver in 13:26.21, also a personal best, while Kenya's Letoyie claimed bronze in 13:28.11. Kenya has now won nine medals through four days of competition, ranking third among all countries. Every medal has been earned in the distance disciplines.   Hoping to complete the distance double and win a pair of world crowns, Uganda's Cheptegei managed a fourth place finish in 13:32.84.   "I'm not disappointed here. Things did not work out right for me here today because I got a complication, a stitch in my stomach. But I thank God for giving me strength to complete the race," he told Race Results Weekly.   Fifth went to Kenyan Kiptoo, the final man to finish under 13:40 in 13:35.39.   Emerging out of a large pack at the finish was American Colby Gilbert, taking ninth in 14:09.98. The University of Washington Husky said the experience racing against the world's best juniors really opened his eyes.   "I was happy with it," he said. "You get your ass handed to you by some Kenyans, and that's good for you... It just shows you how much better they are and what you need to do to get better to get to that level and not be satisfied for being like junior national champ just for the US. You need to think bigger than that."   Gilbert's American teammate Brian Barraza was 13th in 14:13.33.   Through four days, organizers reported that 30,986 spectators have watched these championships at historic Hayward Field, including 8,937 people on Friday. Distance action continues Saturday with the women's 3000m steeplechase final and men's 800m semi-finals.   Following Saturday's World Junior Championships program, TrackTown USA is hosting a high performance meeting that includes numerous professional athletes. Among those entered are 2012 World Junior gold medalist Ajee' Wilson, recent University of Oregon graduate Laura Roesler, and Oregon Track Club Elite members Pat Casey, Elijah Greer, and Jordan McNamara.

Jul 26, 2014

Fast Finish Earns American Purrier Spot in WJC Steeple Final

FAST FINISH EARNS AMERICAN PURRIER SPOT IN WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS STEEPLECHASE FINAL By Chris Lotsbom, @ChrisLotsbom (c) 2014 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved. Used with permission.   EUGENE, OREGON (24-Jul) -- In only her fifth 3000m steeplechase race ever, American Elinor Purrier of Montgomery, Vt., sprinted down the homestretch here at historic Hayward Field with one goal in mind: make Saturday's IAAF World Junior Championships final. That she did, setting a new 10:08.33 personal best en route to finishing sixth in the second section, kicking off day-three of competition in style.   "When I passed one girl and I realized that some of them were slowing down, I just gave everything I had," said Purrier, a rising sophomore at the University of New Hampshire.   Primarily a miler, Purrier chose to try the steeplechase at the suggestion of her coach earlier this year. The decision has paid off, as the 19-year-old won the USA junior national title on July 6 and now has qualified for the final at her first global championships.   "We kind of wanted to take a break from the mile because I've been training really hard in that, and it'll definitely help me in cross country. It's kind of fun!" Purrier said, adding that her inexperience is why she still steps on the barriers.   While favorites Roseline Chepngetich of Kenya, Buzuayehu Mohamed of Ethiopia, and Zulema Arenas of Peru broke away and established a clear lead pack early on, Purrier sat back and remained content. She'd keep her eyes on Rosemary Mumo Katua (Bahrain), Minttu Hukka (Finland), and Emma Oudiou (France), hoping to pass two athletes and move into fifth, the final automatic qualifying spot.   "I really wanted to catch that fifth girl. I don't know, I was just really pumped up," she'd say.   Using her 4:36.14-mile speed in the final circuit, Purrier furiously closed the gap and passed Oudiou for sixth. Crossing the line just behind Hukka, Purrier's 10:08.33 mark was a new personal best by more than 16 seconds. She was fastest among those advancing onto the final on time.   "I was hoping for the teens so I'm pretty excited I broke that," she said. "I really have to recover but I think that there will be a little bit more motivation in the final."   Asked her expectations for the final, Purrier gave a glimpse at her strategy.   "My best!" she said with a big grin. "I don't really pick out a number, I just kind of wing it."   Out front, Chepngetich, Mohamed and Arenas all broke ten minutes to finish one-two-three, 9:52.63, 9:52.97, and 9:54.12 their times. Arenas set a new national junior record.   In the first of two sections, Ethiopian Weynshet Ansa, Kenyan Daisy Jepkemei, and Bahrain's Ruth Jebet made a decisive surge at one kilometer, dropping the rest of the 17 women field. The trio would race together the remaining two kilometers, finishing within 2/100ths of a second of each other (9:56.06, 9:56.07, and 9:56.08).   Jepkemei, the reigning IAAF World Junior Championships gold medalist, was not in good spirits as she walked through the media mixed zone after her race, raising concern about the final.   "The race was really tough," she told Race Results Weekly, an exasperated look on her face. "This is a challenge. I did not feel like this, but it is OK."   New Zealand's Rosa Flanagan was fourth in 10:09.43, while Great Britain's Amy-Eloise Neale took fifth in 10:17.88. Neale went to Glacier Peak High School in the United States (Snohomish, Wash.), and now attends the University of Washington.   "My thought was if they take it out fast stay around fifth to seventh," Neale said. "Fifth was kind of the goal, I didn't really need to go any faster than that."   American Hope Schmelzle finished 14th in heat two, 10:41.38 her time.   Tonight, finals of the men's 1500m and women's 800m and 3000m will be contested. American Mary Cain will toe the line in the 3000m, a medal favorite.

Jul 24, 2014

Efraimson Ready To Challenge For Medal at IAAF World Junior Championships

EFRAIMSON READY TO CHALLENGE FOR MEDAL AT IAAF WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS By David Monti, @d9monti (c) 2014 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved. Used with permission.   EUGENE, OREGON (21-Jul) -- She still has a year left of high school, but Alexa Efraimson has already graduated to the top levels of American middle distance running.  The 17 year-old from Camas, Wash. (about 130 miles north of here) has been the dominant prep miler in the United States this year, running very grown-up times of 4:07.05 for 1500m, 4:32.15 for the mile, and 9:00.16 for 3000m.   Here in Eugene, she'll take to the track at historic Hayward Field tomorrow for the preliminary round of the women's 1500m at the IAAF World Junior Championships.  The brown-eyed athlete, who laughs easily and has a disarming smile, is looking for her second world championships medal.  Last year in Donetsk, Ukraine, she won the bronze medal at the same distance at the IAAF World Youth Championships.  She'll face similar competition here, including Ethiopia's Dawit Seyaum who won the silver medal in Donetsk, is the reigning African junior champion, and has a sparkling career best time of 3:59.53.   "I'm really excited for the meet," Efraimson told Race Results Weekly in an exclusive interview here yesterday outside of Hayward Field.  She continued: "I think being able to close pretty quickly in my last race really helps me with the speed side of things.  So, I'm really excited for Friday."   In that race --the final of the USA Junior Championships earlier this month here-- Efraimson won a last-lap duel with Colorado's Elise Cranny, 4:16.87 to 4:17.40 (Cranny is Efraimson's USA teammate here).  Efraimson was running on tired legs because she also competed in the USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships on a scorching afternoon in Sacramento, Calif., nine days earlier.  Finishing seventh in her heat, she failed to advance to the final and had to be helped off of the track by medical personnel.   But working with personal coach Mike Hickey, Efraimson feels fresh and recovered, ready for the kind of elbow-throwing, shoulder-bumping racing she's already seen at these championships. She said she and Coach Hickey have talked about different race scenarios and that she is ready for anything.   "I think I will definitely have to be a little more aggressive, just make sure I don't get pushed around," Efraimson explained.  "And then, just going into it, I know that I just have to hold my own." She continued: "We do a lot of self-visualization before the race.  So, I've done that a few times just thinking of where I want to be and how the race could go."   Playing to Efraimson's advantage is the level of comfort she feels competing in Eugene.  After the USA Junior Championships, she was able to make the short drive home, and rest up for this week's competition.  She had one of the shortest trips to Eugene of any of the athletes competing here, and gets to compete in her regular time zone.   "I didn't have to go right off to another country (after USA Juniors)," Efraimson said.  "It's really nice not having to adjust to time zones, just being able to realize that this is my home turf.  I've raced on this (track) quite a few times now, so hopefully, everything will go well."   Efraimson also said the coaching she gets from Hickey --the pair have worked together since she was in the 8th grade-- has been not only critical to her success, but also to giving her the confidence to run well here in Eugene.   "He knows how I'm feeling, whether it's race day or a specific practice," Efraimson revealed.  "And, if I'm not feeling well he knows when I'm just not pushing very hard, or when I'm actually not feeling well.  He'll definitely acclimate the workouts to my needs."   Moreover, she said the support from her parents, Dan and Chantal, has also made a big difference.   "I don't think that I would be at the point that I am without the support I've been given," Efraimson admitted.  "A lot of thanks to my parents.  They believe in me, they realize how much it takes, how dedicated I am to this sport.  They really help me to improve myself, not just as an athlete but as a person."   Should Efraimson win a medal here, it would be historic: no American woman has ever won a medal in the 1500m at an IAAF World Junior Championships.  Efraimson isn't thinking about that.   "I just want to go into this race, hopefully Sunday, and just finish the race with no regrets, saying that I ran hard, I ran as fast as I could," Efraimson concluded.  "It could be a completely strategic race, it could go out very fast, I'm not really sure.  I know I'm fit, I'm ready, and I'm excited."

Jul 24, 2014

Ethiopian Tandem Heroye, Hawi Go 1-2 in 5000m At World Juniors

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Jul 24, 2014

800m Medal Favorites Diago, Hinriksdottir Advance At World Juniors

800M MEDAL FAVORITES DIAGO, HINRIKSDOTTIR ADVANCE AT WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPSBy Chris Lotsbom, @ChrisLotsbom(c) 2014 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved. Used with permission.EUGENE, OREGON (23-Jul) -- With an unrelenting rain dousing historic Hayward Field, women's 800m medal favorites Sahily Diago and Anita Hinriksdottir advanced out of the second round here at the IAAF World Junior Championships. Diago, a native of Cuba, won her section with relative ease, while Iceland's Hinriksdottir, the reigning IAAF World Youth Championships gold medalist, narrowly advanced based on time."It was a difficult race. It's cold, I can't stand the cold, but I was convinced and determined to make it through to the next round and I did. I'm very happy," said Diago, speaking through translator Javier Clavelo. At race time, temperatures were in the 55F (12C) range. Taking to the puddle-ridden track, Diago boasted the fastest personal best in the field by over two seconds, the only woman to have broken 2:00 (1:57.74). Running comfortably tucked in behind leaders Hinriksdottir and Australian Georgia Griffith through 400 meters in 60.76, Diago was simply waiting to make her move. Knowing the top three advance on to Thursday's final automatically, the 18-year-old kept her eyes peeled and counted those around her."The race unfolded the way I thought it to be so I didn't force it just to be in the lead group and just do enough to qualify to the final," said Diago. Making the final turn into the homestretch, four athletes --Diago, Hinriksdottir, Griffith, and Kenyan Margaret Nyairera Wambui-- were all charging to solidify a top three position. While Diago, Wambui, and Griffith finished strong, Hinriksdottir struggled mightily in the final 70 meters. Diago would win in 2:03.60, a step ahead of Wambui (2:03.72) and two up on Griffith (2:04.00). Hinriksdottir, fourth, crossed in 2:04.99.A clear medal favorite entering the meet, Hinriksdottir would have to wait for the second section to know her fate. Quickly rushing through the mixed zone without speaking to the media, Hinriksdottir's expression was one of stress and concern. Just before heat two was set to begin, the 18-year-old peered out of the athlete recovery area and into the media center, eyes focused on a grainy television monitor.  With the pitter patter of increasing rain now clearly audible, section two began fast. Ethiopian Zeyituna Mohammed and Australian Georgia Wassall headed the charge alongside Kenyan Maximila Imali. Between 200 meters and 600 meters, however, the pace would slow dramatically. While heat one took the bell in 60.76 seconds, section two passed halfway in 61.10, still bunched close enough for contact to be made between athletes."It's really quite hard, it's really cat and mouse," said Wassall, describing the erratic pacing and jostling. Puddles splashing beneath their feet, Mohammed and Wassall would battle over the final circuit, rounding the bend and charging for home. The Ethiopian would take first in 2:04.62 with the Aussie second in 2:04.84. Third went to Morocco's Sara Souhi in 2:05.37. Before Souhi crossed the line, Hinriksdottir let out a sigh of relief as she saw the clock pass 2:04.99. Her time had held up and earned a spot in the final.  When asked by Race Results Weekly what had happened in the final 100 meters of her contest, Hinriksdottir answered honestly. "I still don't know. I was just good before, I don't know. Maybe I was too comfortable with it," she said, adding "I'm happy to get to the final."Joining Hinriksdottir as a qualifier based on time was Kenyan Maximila Imali, who finished fourth in heat two with a time of 2:05.37. American Sabrina Southerland was eighth in the second section, 2:08.76 her time."I knew it wasn't going to be easy and the weather conditions weren't great, but it was a pretty good race," said Southerland, a rising sophomore at Georgetown University. "It's a challenge. Of course it's going to be a challenge." Tonight, the women's 5000m will be contested. 

Jul 23, 2014

Czech this: Drohotova walks to badass status

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Jul 23, 2014

Favorite Cheptegei Claims 10,000m WJC Gold For Uganda

FAVORITE CHEPTEGEI CLAIMS 10,000m WJC GOLD FOR UGANDA By Chris Lotsbom, @ChrisLotsbom (c) 2014 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved. Used with permission.   EUGENE, OREGON (22-Jul) -- Uganda's Joshua Kiprui Cheptegei fulfilled his role as favorite in the men's 10,000m here at the IAAF World Junior Championships, earning the first gold medal of the meet at historic Hayward Field. Entering the contest as the only man to have run under 28:00, Cheptegei ran confidently over the race's second half, pushing the pace and ultimately prevailing in a sprint battle over Kenya's Elvis Kipchoge Cheboi, 28:32.86 to 28:35.20.   "Oh it is lovely for my country! It is nice," said Cheptegei, who became the second Ugandan ever to win gold in the discipline, joining 2004 champion Boniface Kiprop. "[People] will be so happy!"   Shortly after the gun sounded and 38 men bolted from the starting line, it was the Japanese tandem of Keisuke Nakatani and Hazuma Hattori breaking away. Building up a 15 second lead over the main chase pack at 4400 meters, Nakatani had caused enough notice out front for the primary contenders to be concerned.   "It was a bit amazing. I thought things wouldn't go like that," recalled Cheptegei. "But I was confident. Yes, I knew sooner or later I'd get them."   Deciding to front the charge, Cheptegei was joined by Cheboi, Kenyan Nicholas Mboroto Kosimbei, Eritrean Afewerki Berhane, Ugandan Abdallah Kibet Mande, and Ethiopian Yihunilign Adane. It would take over a kilometer to make up the gap, with Cheptegei and followers ultimately taking the outright lead shortly after 6000 meters. Nakatani would do his best to hold onto the lead group, though wound up finishing seventh in 29:11.40.   In what appeared to be a fartlek workout among the East Africans, Cheptegei would push the pace only to be matched --and sometimes exceeded-- by Cheboi. Of the 14 previous editions of this meeting, Kenyans had claimed gold in the discipline seven times. It was up to Cheptegei to prevent an eighth title going their way.   Just before the bell Cheboi made a valiant effort, overtaking Cheptegei and injecting a hard surge, clearly trying to run the wheels off the 18-year-old. However, Cheptegei wouldn't fade, rebounding nicely on the backstretch and regaining the pole for good. Finishing with his hands held high in 28:32.86, Cheptegei had earned Uganda's fourth gold medal at these championships since the meet originated in 1986.   "It was good. Nice, nice. I loved it," said Cheptegei, draped in a Ugandan flag and the gold medal perched around his neck.   Cheptegei said he draws inspiration from Stephen Kiprotich, the 2012 Olympic Marathon and 2013 IAAF World Championships Marathon gold medalist who has been the face of Ugandan distance running in recent years. According to Cheptegei's manager, Jurrie van der Velden, Kiprotich only began running in late 2012/early 2013 after being inspired by Kiprotich's success at the London Olympics.   "His parents (teachers) where [sic] not too happy about this as they wanted him to get his degree," wrote Van der Velden in an e-mail message to Race Results Weekly. "However he went on and did really well this February and March in African XC and World Uni XC. He continued training and put his Uni on hold for a while to focus on the 10,000m gold which he won tonight."   Van der Velden continued: "He's an intelligent guy from Kapchorwa area (not far from where Stephen grew up)."   Cheboi was clearly pleased with his 28:35.20, runner-up effort.   "I thank God to be here and represent my country and win a silver medal."  He continued: "I'm so proud. I'm a silver medalist at the World Championships," he told Race Results Weekly.   Rounding out the top three was Nicholas Mboroto Kosibei in 28:38.68.   Brendan Shearn of Frackville, Penn., was the top American, 15th in 30:24.30. A rising sophomore at the University of Pennsylvania, Shearn said he drew motivation from the exuberant crowd at Hayward Field --oftentimes clapping along with the University of Oregon's Brass & Percussion Ensemble playing music from the infield-- and late friend Madison Holleran. Holleran was a freshman runner at Penn before tragically claiming her own life last January.   "Just to be able to represent my country and to just run out here was fantastic. It was just amazing," he said. "I heard the USA chants and it kind of spurred me on to go a little faster, and my coaches told me to do this for Madison who was a runner on my team who passed away. I was really happy to do this for her and represent for her."   Fellow countryman Jonathan Green was 24th in 31:15.69.   The IAAF World Junior Championships continue here tomorrow; the women's 800m semi-finals and 5000m final will be contested.

Jul 23, 2014

Hinriksdottir Leads Qualifiers In Women's 800m At World Juniors

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Jul 22, 2014

Sabrina Southerland Making Most of World Juniors Opportunity

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Jul 22, 2014

World Juniors in Eugene big win for IAAF, Lananna

WORLD JUNIORS IN EUGENE BIG WIN FOR IAAF, LANANNA By David Monti, @d9monti (c) 2014 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved. Used with permission.   EUGENE, OREGON (22-Jul) -- The last time an IAAF World Championships was held in the United States, Boyz II Men and Sir Mix-a-Lot topped the Billboard charts, Shaquille O'Neal was the NBA rookie of the year, and "Home Alone 2" had just been released in theaters.   Those championships, the IAAF World Cross Country Championships, were held in Boston's Franklin Park, where American distance running legend Lynn Jennings had won her third consecutive title.   Since then, IAAF executives have lamented that no global championships --with the exception of the 1996 Olympics, which is not an IAAF meet-- have been held in the country which produces the most world championships medalists.  That all changed when a bid for the 2014 IAAF World Junior Championships presented by TrackTown USA was accepted by the IAAF.  Those championships,  open here today at historic Hayward Field at the University of Oregon, America's #1 track temple.   "I was not sure if during my tenure if I would see a championships in the United States," IAAF president Lamine Diack told reporters here yesterday.  The 81 year-old athletics executive from Senegal is serving in his final term as head of the IAAF.   The man responsible for bringing these championships to Oregon is former University of Oregon assistant athletic director and athletics coach, Vin Lananna, who heads-up the local organizing committee through his TrackTown USA organization.  Lananna told reporters yesterday that hosting the World Junior Championships "made the most sense" based on the size of Hayward Field and the university setting in this city of about 156,000 people.   "Thanks for your leadership in bringing these championships to Oregon," Lananna told Diack at a press conference here yesterday.  He continued: "(We have) the most passionate and knowledgeable fans in America."   Lananna's street cred was a big factor in Eugene's winning bid.  Diack knew Lananna as an excellent university coach at both Stanford and Oregon and one of the biggest boosters of the sport in the United States.  He also knew of the repeated successes of the Prefontaine Classic Diamond League meeting, and USA, NCAA and Olympic Trials meets which have also been held at Hayward.  When Lananna spoke of Eugene's interest, Diack listened.   "Vin is a man from track and field," Diack said.  He added, "We were very open to a bid.  We knew the man."   These championships, which feature 970 young men and 710 young women from over 200 countries, will be "a stepping stone for younger athletes," Diack asserted.  He also said that he expected the level of the organization for these championships to be top notch.   "We promised them we would deliver a heck of a championships," Lananna said adding, "That's a lot of pressure, President Diack."

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