Simpson versus Rowbury, photo by PhotoRun.net
Top women 1500 m field
EUGENE (USA): This year’s Prefontaine Classic will bring together eight global championship medallists to compete over 1500m at the IAAF Diamond League meeting in Eugene on 28 May. With a best of 3:56.05, Dutch record-holder Sifan Hassan is the fastest in the field. Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon is senior national record holder. Compatriot Hellen Obiri has twice broken the US all-comers’ 1500m record in Eugene, first with her 3:58.58 victory in 2013 and then with her 3:57.05 triumph one year later. USA’s Jenny Simpson and Shannon Rowbury have an intense rivalry going back seven years. Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay is the world junior silver medallist and world indoor bronze medallist at 1500m. Earlier this year, the 19-year-old set a world indoor U20 record of 4:01.81. Also running Exumawit Embaye of Ethiopia, US Brenda Martinez, Britain´s Laura Weightman and Morocco´s Rabiba Arafi. The field also includes six-time Polish champion Renata Plis and USA’s Kerri Gallagher.