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2010 World Indoor Champs, Day 3: Savinova over Meadows, Women's 800 meters, by Larry Eder

2010-03-14T15:19:59Z

The women's 800 meters was an excellent race! In the end, it came to Mariya Savinova of Russia and Jenny Meadows.....

]]> Alysia Johnson took the lead and lead through 200 meters, in 28.01, and 400 meters in 58.16. Tucked right in behind here were Jenny Meadows, Mariya Savinova, Anna Pierce of the U.S. and Egle Balciunaite of Lithuana.

Jennifer Meadows took control on the back stretch, hitting the 600 meter mark in 1:28.73, and the race looked to be hers. But, as we know, in the middle distance races, it is seldom over until the finish line!

Mariya Savinova of Russia moved up on Meadow's shoulder, with Alysia Johnson holding on for dear life and Anna Pierce moving up behind her.

Mariya Savinova went by Jenny Meadows, with about twenty-five meters to go. Savinova ran a world leading 1:58.26 to take the gold at WIC 800 meters. Jenny Meadows took the silver, in 1:58.43, breaking the British national record (her record), for the second time in three weeks! Alysia Johnson of the U.S.A. held on for the bronze in 1:59.60, her personal best! In fourth place, U.S.'s Anna Pierce ran 2:00.53, her personal best. Egle Balciunaite of Lithuania finished fifth in 2:01.37, a national record!

Mariya Savinova of Russia was ecstatic, " I am from Cehlyabinsk and we have there minus 30 degrees (Celsius). As you can imagine, I like competing indoors where it is warmer. I had my tactics, but did not expect such a fast race!"

Jenny Meadows, the silver medalist commented, "I tried to keep going until the finish line.It was a big challenge and the girls were enormously strong. When I saw the time, I told myself that at least it was a PB!"

And the ecstatic Alysia Johnson said, " It is amazing. It was no walk in the park! I was going for the gold and I pushed for it!"

For more on the sport, please click on www.runningnetwork.com.

2010 World Indoor Champs, Day 3: Bernard Lagat Wins 3,000m: Simply, the Best! by Larry Eder

2010-03-14T14:57:29Z

Bernard Lagat, 2010 World Indoor Champs, Doha, Qatar, photo by PhotoRun.net.

Bernard Lagat is an elegant runner! He is also at the top of his competitive game. There is little excess motion in his running, and he stays out of dumb positions in tactical races. When Bernard is on, he is on, tonight, Mr. Lagat gave a clinic in how to win a championship 3,000 meter run, to the world!

]]> Augustine Kiprono Choge, one of the toughest and fastest runners on the planet, took the field through 1,000 meters in 2:36.19. For him, that was the race, and he ended up a dejected eleventh.

Tariku Bekele, the defending champion, took the pacing chores over the second kilometer, keeping the same 2:36 kilometer pace, with Bernard Lagat and Sergio Sanchez of Spain, right on his back. Galen Rupp of the U.S. was bouncing around a bit, from last to mid-pack, then near end of pack. The pack was close, but it was just, at this point in the race, some excess motion.

Lagat does not run an extra step. He stayed in contention, followed Bekele ( " Bernard was the best today, the Spanish guy was very strong. I knew them both, I did the best I could."), until there was one lap in the race, hit in 7:09.

Bernard took off, and the race, for gold was over, as Bernard
Lagat ran a relaxed 28 second last 200 meters, pointing his finger up in victory with twenty meters to go.

Bernard summed up his race in the mixed zone: " My kids woke up at 7am to watch their Daddy. So, I needed to show them something. I did exactly what my coach told me to do. During the last lap, I felt a lot of energy from the crowd. I missed a lot since 2007, so I am back. My long term goal is Olympic gold from London, most probably at the 5,000 meters. And this season, I want to run some 3,000 meters and 5,000 meters."

Sergio Sanchez of Spain got by Tariku Bekele on the back stretch, and took the silver in 7:39.55 (Sanchez said, "this is the greatest day in my life!"). Sammy Mutahi of Kenya also went by the defending champion on the turn, taking the bronze in 7:39.90.

Tariku Bekele of Ethiopia, took fourth in 7:40.10. Running a great last lap, Galen Rupp moved from near the back into fifth on the last lap, running 7:42.40 for a new personal best, just ahead of Jesue Espana, who ran 7:42.82!

For more on the sport, please click on www.runningnetwork.com

2010 World Indoor Champs, Day 2:Steve Hooker Wins PV, Clears 6.01m, misses at 6.16m!, by Larry Eder

2010-03-14T14:34:56Z

Steve Hooker, Olympic & World Championship gold medalist, photo by Photorun.net.

Australia's Steve Hooker needed two attempts to take the gold, then put it out of this world with a 6.01m third attempt. To celebrate winning the only global title he had not won, Hooker made three game attempts at the 6.16m mark, with the third oh, so close! ( Congrats to Austalia's Fabrice Lapierre, who won the gold in the long jump! For Day two, two golds for Australia, two golds for Ethiopia and four golds for the US (8 medals))!

]]> Steve Hooker is a class all of his own. He waited until most of the riff raff was gone, and cleared 5.70 m on his first attempt. He was in the medal hunt.

With three guys clearing 5.65m and no more, and one, Malte Mohr of Germany clearing 5.70m, Steve Hooker cleared 5.80m on his first attempt. Mohr made three game attempts at 5.85, with no luch. Mohr took the silver. Germany took a second medal with Alexander Straub, who cleared 5.65m on his first attempt, as opposed to Derek Miles third attempt (Derek took fourth).

Steve Hooker came back, cleared 6.01m on his third attempt and his global indoor title, the one missing from his collection, was a reality!

How high can Steve Hooker go? RBR believes that Hooker could clear 6.20m outdoors this year, the key, Mr. Hooker, is to stay healthy and relaxed! Steve Hooker is the best vaulter, globally, of his generation!

2010 World Indoor Champs, Day 2: Mekonnen Defends 1,500m title!, by Larry Eder

2010-03-14T13:43:33Z

Deresse Mekonnen, 2010 World Indoor Champs, Doha, Qatar, photo by PhotoRun.net.

This was one of the best championship races that I have ever seen! The race was in doubt until the last fifty meters, when Deresse Mekonnen, willed on by his countrymen, charged to victory, defending his title from Valencia, Spain!

]]> Men's 1,500 meters

This race had all of the good stuff of a championship: great field, great tactics, blinding finish and positions decided in the last meters!

Garrett Heath of the U.S. lead the 200 meter sin 31.75. Abdalaati Iguider of Morocco took the field through the 400 meters in 63:98. Haron Keitany of Kenya took the field through 600 meters in 1:34.24 and the 800 meters in 2:04.95. Deresse Mekonnen, the defending champion, took the field through the 1,000 meters in 2:33.35 and teh 1,200 meters in 3:01.18.

Still the field was all there! Amine Laalou of Morocco went to the lead, hitting 1,400 meters in 3:28.32. Iguider, his countryman, was on his shoulder as they entered the final straight, with Haron Keitany straining and Mekonnen Gebremedhin in tow.

Deresse Mekonnen's position looked tough, until, with 50 meters go, willed on by the Ethiopian fans, Mekonnen went outside and charged by Iguider and Laalou, who collided. Iguider, who, just seconds before, looked like the winner, was chasing Deresse Mekonnen to the finish, as Mekonnen defended in 3:41.86!

Abdalaati Iguider of Morocco held on for second, running 3:41.96. Haron Keitany of Kenya took the bronze in 3:42.32, over Mekonnen Gebremedhin, who took fourth in 3:42.42! Amine Laalou of Morocco finished fifth in 3:42.42.

Kudos to U.S. runner Garrett Heath, a Stanford grad, who stayed close the whole race, and finished seventh in 3:43.81 (he scored a pb of 3:39.25 in the semi-finals).

Hats off to Deresse Mekonnen, who overcame a roller derby style race, to defend his title and thrill the crowd at the Aspire Stadium.

For more on the sport, please click on www.runningnetwork.com

2010 World Indoor Champs, Day 2: Meseret Defar Wins 3,000m (fourth time)!, by Larry Eder

2010-03-14T12:58:11Z

Meseret Defar, 2010 World Indoor Champs, Doha, Qatar, photo by PhotoRun.net.

Using a blinding final lap, Meseret Defar won her fourth straight 3,000 meter world indoor championship from Vivian Cheruiyot and Sentanyu Ejigu, much to the delight of the boisterous Ethiopian fans, who enveloped the stadium!

]]> This race was frought with opportunities for Meseret Defar to get caught up, but, the three time champion, at the time, stayed out of trouble, always close to the front, but never in the bullseye!

Rene Kalmer of South Africa lead the first kilometer in 3:11.83, with Portugals' Jessica Augusto on her shoulder. Meseret Defar, Sentenyehu Ejigu, Vivian Cheruiyot and Slyvia Kibet were following.

Augusto, the cross country specialist, lead through two kilometers in 6:03.79, with the usual suspects on her shoulder.
Augusto had increased the pace, to a 2:53 kilometer.Still, Defar controlled herself.

Augusto continued to lead, with Defar, Ejigu, Cheruiyot and Kibet in tow. It was not until two laps to go that Meseret Defar went around Augusto, as did Ejigo, Cheruiyot and Kibet. Meseret Defar was flying, but she was not all out.

Meseret Defar, 2010 World Indoor Champs, Doha, Qatar, photo by PhotoRun.net.

Defar was running well, with Ejigu, Cheruiyot and Kibet in full flights, Bekele hanging o as well as Sally Moreira.

It was as the last lap started, that Meseret Defar let it all hang out! Going into full sprint, Defar opened some land, as she cruised around the last lap, hitting the final straightaway in the lead, and taking her fourth world indoor title at 3,000 meters.
Vivian Cheruiyot of Kenya, using her brutal kick to take the silver away from Sentayehu Ejigu. Ejigu held onto the bronze!

The last kilometer took 2:47, and the last 200 meters was just under 30 seconds! Meseret Defar had her fourth title, in a time of 8:51.17 (slower than her heat run).

Vivian Cheruiyot of Kenya took the silver (her countrywomen, Kibet was fourth overall), in 8:51.85 and Sentayehu Ejigu, also of Ethiopia, took the bronze in 8:52.08. Sylvia Jebiwott Kibet of Kenya ran 8:52.16 in fourth, and Alemitu Bekele of Turkey was fifth in 8:53: 78.

After the race, Meseret Defar, was of course, magnanimous: "I wanted to thank the crowd, who encouraged me. Now, I will focus on world records at 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters outdoors!" Well, that will make the summer of 2010 exciting!

The U.S. runner Desiree Davila ran 9:07.24 for the 3,000 meters in the final, after running a personal best of 8:51.

This race belonged to Meseret Defar, who kept herself out of trouble, and kicked like mad when all were hurting!

For more on the sport, please click on www.runningnetwork.com

2010 World Indoor Champs, Day 2: Jessica Ennis Wins Pentathlon!, by Larry Eder

2010-03-14T00:51:05Z

Jessica Ennis, World Champs, Berlin, August 2009, photo by PhotoRun.net.

Jessica Ennis, the 2009 World Champion, has had some injury set backs. Jessica did not let any of those injuries stop her from her dream: to win the pentathlon, Jessica Ennis set a championship record en route to winning her gold medal at the 2010 World Indoor Championships in Doha, Qatar with a championship record of 4,937 points !

]]> Jessica Ennis is the World Champion in the heptathlon from Berlin 2009! In this competition, Jessica defeated the Beijing medalists (Natalia Dobrynska, Tatyana Chernova and Hyleas Fountain).

Jessica had some injury problems with her foot this past winter, and did not compete at the AVIVA UK athletics Trials nor the AVIVA Grand Prix in Birmingham. The rest did its thing--Jessica competed her nearly flawlessly, scoring a championship record and the third best performance ever, putting her behind the names of Jackie Joyner Kersee and Carolina Kluft!

Ennis hurdled 8.02 for the 60 meter hurdles (1,120 points), high jumped 1.90m (1,106 points), threw the shot (her worst event) 14.01m (795 points), long jumped 6.44 meters (986 points) and finished with an 800 meters in 2:12.55 (926) for a championship record of 4,937 points!

Natallia Dobrynska of the Ukraine, the Beijing gold medalist, scored a national record of 4,851. Tatyana Chernova of Russia was the bronze medalist in 4,762, and Hyleas Fountain of the U.S. scored 4,753 for a new American record, and only 9 points away from the bronze!

Hyleas hurdled 8.20 for the 60 m hurdles (1,084 pts), high jumped 1.87m (1,067 pts), then therw the show 14.06m (798 pts), long jumped 6.46m (994 points), and finally ran the 800 meters in 2:21.02 (810 points) for an American record of 4,753!

These four women will be battling each other over competitions in 2010 outdoors and beyond! The battle for London 2012 is on!

For more on the sport, please click on www.runningnetwork.com

2010 World Indoor Champs, Day 2: LoLo Jones Wins 60m hurdles!, by Larry Eder

2010-03-13T23:20:09Z

LoLo Jones, 2010 World Indoor Champs, Doha, Qatar, 60 meter hurdles, gold medalist, photo by PhotoRun.net.

The facts are that LoLo Jones defended her 2008 World Indoor Championships title over 60 meter hurdles, setting a championship record and running the fastest time in the world in 2010. The real story is that, without her near disaster in her semi-final, even LoLo admits, she would not have won her gold medal today. Here is the real story:

]]>

LoLo Jones, 2010 World Indoor Champs, Doha, Qatar, photo by PhotorRun.net.

In her semi-final, Lo Lo Jones got out well, but gave it all up over the first hurdle, and was nearly out of the race by the second hurdle. Jones fought back and took the last qualifying position for the final, in a dismal 8.04. " If I had not had that meltdown in the semi final, " Jones told a post race interview," I might not have won the final."

The final was a completely different race, and that is how LoLo Jones finally played it. Getting out third (behind Priscilla Lopes-Schliep and Perdita Felician), Jones got out well and over the first hurdle with remarkable vigor.

Hurdlers are tightly wired athletes. They must manage their speed over and between barriers, two very disparate skills, unless you are an elite hurdler.

In the world today, there are about a dozen women hurdlers who can race at this top level. Six of them were in this final, so this race was stacked. Screw up, just like Beijing or Berlin, and there is another hurdler ready to take one's place. This is a tension field world.

LoLo Jones controlled her tension, like she managed her speed between hurdles, building a small lead after the second hurdle and busting the race wide open after fourth. Sprinting into the finish line, LoLo Jones ran a world leading 7.72, breaking the American record of one Gail Devers (2003), who had won three World Indoor titles over 60 meter hurdles. ( We found out later that Gail Dever texted LoLo Jones a congratulatory message after the race!). Besides an American record and championship record, Jones might consider the high jump as her next event! After her race, she nearly leaped to the very top of the pads put in place to stop the hurdlers and sprinters. LoLo Jones, once she knew she had won, nearly walked up a seven foot tall set of pads at the end of the race!

After the race, LoLo Jones told Vicki Oddi, USATF press person these observations:

"Excited is an understatement. I can't believe what I just did, American record, Championship record, first woman to ever win the hurdles back-to-back. It's unbelievable. Because I lost at USA's, that fired me up to come out here and win. I don't even remember the race. I remember at the third hurdle, realizing I was winning and all I could think was don't hit a hurdle!"

In a near perfect race, LoLo Jones put Perdita Felician, one of most medalled and top women hurdlers in the world, into second place. Perdita ran 7.86, a seasonal best for the Canadian hurdler who won her first World title in 2001 in Edmonton!

Priscilla Lopes-Schliep, also of Canada, took third in 7.87, giving Canada two medals in this final, and our friends at Athletics Canada (hello Cecil Smith & John Craig), finally something to brag about besides the senseless slaughter of the US hockey team in overtime during the Winter Olympics.

Anay Tejeda took fourth in 7.91, with Ginnie Powell, the 2010 US indoor champion, in fifth in 7.97. Jamaicas' top hurdlers, Vonette Dixon, and Lacena Golding-Clarke were, sixth (7.99) and seventh (8.02).

But, this race was for LoLo Jones, who became the first women to win consecutive 60 meter hurdle titles! LoLo Jones showed that she is a rarefied hurdler, and we look forward to seeing how fast she can run this summer!

For more on the sport, please click on www.runningnetwork.com

World Indoor Champs, 2010, Day 2: Dwain Chambers Wins 60 meter title! by Larry Eder

2010-03-13T22:33:29Z

Dwain Chambers, 2010 World Indoor Champs, Doha, Qatar, photo by PhotoRun.net.

Dwain Chambers served time for a drug positive, wrote a book, which annoyed a few folks in Great Britain, and, from the results today, is working hard to prove he can run fast, drug free. With new advisers, Mr. Chambers let his running do the talking today. Afterwards, Dwain noted that " this was the longest six and one half seconds of my life!" Well said!

]]> Dwain Chambers of Great Britain won his 60 meter title in 2010 the old fashioned way-he earned it. Being the first British sprinter to win since Jason Gardner, Dwain Chambers had a great start, and by midway, had the race under control.

Breaking away from Mike Rodgers of the USA and Daniel Bailey of Antigua, Dwain Chambers showed, once again, that he is the fastest sprinter in Europe.

Dwain Chambers ran the fastest time in the world this year, 6.48 for the 60 meters. Mike Rodgers, the 2009 U.S. outdoor champion, and fourth in Valencia in 2008, took the silver medal today, continuing to show that he is becoming one of our most consistent and spirited U.S. sprinters, running 6.53.
Daniel Bailey of Antigua, a top sprinter from the Carribean!

At the end of the day, it was Dwain Chambers. His countrymen, per some of our UK media contacts, are warming up to him a bit. " He is now letting his sprinting do the talking, instead of books or being contentious." Well, good on you, Dwain Chambers!

After his victory in Doha, Dwain had this to say to his fans and friends:

" It was not an easy competition from the beginning to the end. I was a little bit slower from the blocks that is why it was not so relaxed as I expected. I am not used to have two so challenging guys around me. It was a very tactical race.

Of course, I am really happy because of the victory. This was one of my main targets towards the European championships in Barcelona, which is my main objective this year. I still have to concentrate on my 100 meter performance to become the fastest man in Europe. I will enjoy this moment for a while and will work hard. I am so grateful to be here and participate in this fantastic arena."

It should be noted that Dwain Chambers, due to his past drug positive, can not compete on British Olympic teams.

On Sunday, in a column on www.insidethegames.biz, Dwain Chambers admitted that his dreams to run London 2012 are, for all intensive purposes, over.

For more on the sport of running, please contact http://www.runningnetwork.com

World Indoor Champs, 2010: Day 2, Chris Brown of Bahamas won the 400 meters! by Larry Eder

2010-03-13T16:09:31Z

Semi-finals, where Bershawn Jackson & David Gillick
collided, World Indoor Champs, 2010, Doha, Qatar, photo by
PhotoRun.net.

David Gillick of Ireland is a tough runner. Bershawn Jackson of the US is a tough runner. They bumped hard in the semi-finals. Bumping during a race either slows one down, or throws one off their game. Neither Gillick nor Jackson seemed to consider that ! In the end, instead of fighting for gold and silver, they were upset by Chris Brown!

]]> Chris Brown of the Bahamas is a fine 400 meter runner. Cutting in well at the 200 meters (21.28), Chris Brown ran his race, and the young long sprinter ran a fine 45.96, to take the gold.

As David Gillick tried to pass on the inside, Bershawn Jackson is cutting in as well, and they collided (we understand that there might be a protest). Jackson finished sixth, and Gillick finished fifth.

William Collazo of Cuba ran on the outside ad took the silver in 46.31.

Keeping his head, Jamaal Torrance of the US continued to impress, running a fine 46.43!

Again, races on the indoor track are physical, but running, as Gillick seems to do, which is cutting on the inside, a la Steve Ovett, does not always work!

David Gillick was heart broken after his loss. But, if one has one tactic, sometimes you win, sometimes, you loose...

Nothing should be taken away from Chris Brown. He ran his race, knowing all too well that ANYONE in a 400 meter final can win, with proper position and racing style!

For more on the sport, please click on http://www.runningnetwork.c

World Indoor Champs, 2010: Day 2, Christian Cantwell Wins Shot Put on last throw!, by Larry Eder

2010-03-13T15:24:29Z

Christian Cantwell, World Champs, Berlin, August 2009, photo by PhotoRun.net.

The men's shot is a dynamic event. The quality of male throwers around the world is such that, underestimating anyone in a final is ludicrous. Christian Cantwell took the lead in round one, was pushed to second in round five and took the gold back in round six. That, is a champion!

]]> Christian Cantwell took the lead in his first throw, in 21.60m! Right after him, Tomasz Majewski, also in the first round, threw 21.20m, to set a new Polish National record. Dylan Armstrong of Canada threw 21.12m, for a Canadian National Record.

In round two, Ralf Bartels of Germany, threw 21.44m, a personal best, moving into second. In round three, Andrei Mikhnevich, of Belarus, threw 21.49m to move to second, with Bartels in third.

Nothing changed in round 4. Then, round five. Christian throws 21.14m. Then Andrei Mikhnevich threw 21.68m and took the lead! Then, Dylan Armstrong threw 21.39m, putting him in fourth, setting his second Canadian record of the event!

In round five, with only Andrei Mikhnevich left, Christian Cantwell called something from inside himself, went to the ring, took a deep breath, properly placed his shot under his chin, and started to spin. When he let her rip, the shot went farther than his other throws, farther than Mikhnevich, and finally, hit the padding, giving the gold back to Mr. Cantwell. His throw: 21.83m.

Christian said this after the competition: " This competition was just unbelievable. When I looked at the board after the second attempts, I told myself, this is going to be very hard. Probably, this was one of the best shot putfinals in the history of world indoors. I do not know why everybody was so strong--it could have been everything--the circle, the crowd, etc. I am not satisfied with my performance on 100 percent. After the second round 21.60m, I was trying too hard and my attempts were not very far. But, finally, I showed something better and turned it to my third gold from world indoors!"

World Indoor Champs, 2010: Day 2:Debbie Dunn Wins 400m!, by Larry Eder

2010-03-13T14:58:45Z

Debbie Dunn, World Indoor Champs 2010, Doha, Qatar, photo by PhotoRun.net.

The U.S. won two medals in the men's heptathlon. Then, Debbie Dunn, who recently set a personal best in Albuquerque, won the US title, now battles down the final stretch to win the WIC women's 400 meters in 51.04, holding off Russia's Tatyana Firova!

]]> Indoor track and field is tough, and not for the tender footed. In a 400 meter run that resembled a roller derby contest, Debbie Dunn of the US hit the 200 meters in 23.88, and nearly fell as Novlene Williams-Mills, tripped and went down, not to finish.

Dunn kept running, dogged by Tatyana Firova of Russia, Vania Stambolova of Bulgaria with Amantle Montsho of Botswana trailing.

Dunn came onto the final stretch and gutted it out, winning in 51.04. Tatyana Firova of Russia made a game run, taking second in 51.13, with Vania Stambolova of Bulgaria taking the bronze in 51.50.

Afterwards, Debbie said it best," The main focus was to get out there, be aggressive, make the break and take it out. I have more speed that the others in the field, so it was a matter of go and take it out. I was expecting to get a little bit faster but that was a crazy race! I almost fell. I got tripped, don't know what happened."

Debbie has had a superb season: her nationals win was gutty and the way to run a final! Her win here was tough, and in the world of athletics, as Bryan Clay said so well, there are " champions and near-champions." Debbie Dunn was a champion tonight!

For more on the sport, please click on www.runningnetwork.com

World Indoor Champs, 2010: Day 2, Bryan Clay Wins Heptathlon, Trey Hardee second! by Larry Eder

2010-03-13T14:17:52Z

Bryan Clay, World Indoor Champs, Doha, Qatar, March 2010, photo by PhotoRun.net.

Winning the first gold medal at the 2010 World Indoor Champs, Bryan Clay showed his fitness and competitiveness over the past two days, winning by 20 points over countryman Trey Hardee, 6204-6184!

]]> Bryan Clay was thoughtful after his two days of competition: " It was a tough competition. With all of the mistakes I have done during these two days, I can be happy that I was able to win. I am very proud that I could have competed here and I showed I am ready to go and I can be looking forward to a decathlon in the summer. I only have to sharpen up little bit and see what will happen. I had very, very strong two events--the pole vault was great, high jump also went pretty well. The line between champions and not champions is very small!"

Now, that was an understatement! Twenty points behind Bryan Clay was Trey Hardee! The U.S. finally has a 1-2 punch again. (Actually, with a healthy Tom Pappas and Duck stud Ashton Eaton, we have four Dec studs).

Clay ran 6.67 in the 60 meters, jumped 7.27m for the long jump, threw 15.31m in the shot, and high jumped 2.06m for the first day. In his second day, Clay hurdled the 60m in 8.00, vaulted 5.00m, and ran the 1,000 meters in 2:50.28, holding off Trey Hardee by twenty seconds! Bryan scored 6,204.

Trey Hardee, World Indoor Champs, March 2010, Doha, Qatar, photo by PhotoRun.net.

Trey Hardee had this to say, after his silver medal performance: " After I crossed the line, I turned back and saw that Brian was close so I did not think I had done enough to get first!I was really running to preserve my second place because Drozdov is a good runner. This si my first indoor championships, so I am happy with the result. "

Hardee had two strong days, scoring 6,184. Running the 60m in 6.80, reaching 7.28m in the long jump, hitting 14.44m in the shot put, and clearing 2.06m in the high jump. On the second day, TRey hurdled 7.79 for the 60m hurdles, vaulted 5.00m and ran 2:47.76 for the 1,000 meters.

In third, competing tough both days, was Aleksey Drozdov, of Russia, in a score of 6,141. Drozdov noted, " The 1,000 meters was very hard for me. I am totally exhausted. Nearly not able finding some words. This the biggest achievement of my career. And excellent motivation for summer and Barcelona."

(We will post complete final results later this evening!)

For more on the sport, please click on www.runningnetwork.com

RBR Photo Gallery: Men's 60 meter hurdles, photos by PhotoRun.net, note by Larry Eder

2010-03-13T12:53:40Z

Lui Xiang ran 7.79, a conservative race, in his first round in the 60 meter hurdles, photo by PhotoRun.net.

]]>

Dayron Robles, the 2008 World Champ, is running injury-free and ran 7.74 in the first round in Doha, photo by PhotoRun.net.

Running 7.60, the fastest of the day, is none other than Terrenc Trammell, a three time outdoor silver medalist in World Champs, World Indoors medalist (2 golds, one bronze), as well as Olympic silver medalists (2x), photo by Photorun.net.

For more on the sport, please click on www.runningnetwork.com.

World Indoor Champs, 2010: Day 1, Session 2, Womens' Pole Vault, by Larry Eder

2010-03-13T09:55:17Z

Yelena Isinbayeva, World Indoor Champs, Doha, Qatar, 2010, photo by PhotoRun.net.

There was a little, to quote the U.S. baseball deity, Yogi Berra, "Deja vu all over again" for Yelena Isinbayeva, as she missed twice at 4.55m.....was this to be Berlin once again?

]]> Women's pole vault qualifying

Yelena Isinbayeva, World Indoor Champs 2010, Doha, Qatar, Photo by PhotoRun.net.

The standard was 4.60m or at least 8 best qualified. So, the height gets to 4.45m, and there are twelve vaulters still in. Six vaulters had cleared 4.45m (Nikoleta Kriakopoulou, Greece, Fabiana Murer, Brazil, Svetlana Feofanova, Russia, Anna Rogowska, Poland, Kelsie Hendry, Canada, Jirina Ptacnikova, Czech Republic), and six had cleared 4.35m (Kristina Gadschiew, Germany, Kate Dennison, Great Britain, Elena Scarpellini, Italy, Afroditi Skafida, Greece, Chelsea Johnson, U.S.A., Mariana Zachariadi, Cyprus.

Here was the deal: only one jumper had not entered the competition as of yet. If she cleared 4.55m, then the field will drop to eight. If she clears no height, then there are twelve jumpers going to the final.

The jumper was Yelena Isinbayeva. Twenty-four world records. She had set a world record last summer, after her no height in Berlin. She seemed very close to doing the same, when she went over to her coach, obviously stressed to be in this situation once again.

By the time it was announed, the several thousand fans, and interested vaulters walked on. Isinbayeva, took off, and propelled herself over the vault standard, clearing 4.55 m and cutting the field for the final down to 8.

Lacy Janson of the U.S. had no mark. Chelsea Johnson cleared 4.35m, but missed moving into the final.

Isinbayeva showed that she too, is one jump away from not making a final. That is scary for fan and participant alike!

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k.com

World Indoor Champs, 2010: Day 1, Session 2, Women's 3,00 m heats, by Larry Eder

2010-03-13T07:59:36Z

Meseret Defar, World Indoor Champs, Doha, Qatar, 2010, photo by PhotoRun.net.

Meseret Defar looks set to defend her 3,000 meter title, however, there were some surprises in this first round. Defar will have to battle Vivian Cheruiyot, the WC from Berlin over 5,000 meters. Like, what the heck is a marathoner doing moving down to the 3,000 meters, setting a Pb and making the final? That is what happened to Desiree Davila!

]]> Women's 3,000 meters, qualifying

Round 1

Distance running is a global sport. The level of excellence in women's distance running grows everyday! The women's 3,000 meters is a prime example of the quality and growth of women's distance running and the continuing value of sport as a way to champion a level playing field for women in sport.

Remember the above statement when I share some of my experiences in Doha over the next few days....

Rene Kalmer of South Africa lead the field through the first kilometer, in 3:10.50. Poland's Renata Plis took over the pace setting chores, taking the field through 6:13.2 for 2,000 meters, a good increase on the pace (3:02.70).

Now the racing began. Sentayehu Ejigu of Ethiopia dropped the charade and took off, running a strong 2:46 last kilometer, winning in 9:00.34. Sara Moreira of Portugal was just behind her, in 9:01.01. Vivian Cheruiyot, the WC over 5,000 meters from Berlin, just stayed out of trouble, and finished third in 9:01.35, never in doubt of qualifying. In fourth, setting a national record for South Africa, was Rene Kalmer, in 9:01.41.

Barbara Parker was fifth in 9:01.52, the Brit not moving on. Renata Plis of Poland, who had lead the second kilometer, finshed in 9:02.68. The U.S's Sara Hall battled the entire way, but was cut short over the last two laps, not having enough strength to get into the top four and advance into the next round!

heat 2

Jessica Augusto,from Portugal, is a cross country specialist. Two weeks ago, in Birmingham, England, I witnessed Augusto run a fine 9:19 two mile, having stayed with Dibaba for most of two miles.

Augusto took the pace out at 2:57.71 for one kilometer. Fast, but an even, honest pace, where the drain of a solid pace will catch up with all but the best. Augusto lead through two kilometers, another strong kilometer of 2:59, for a 5:56.16, so the pace was strong.

After that, Meseret Defar got into the game and used a 2:51 last kilometer to win in 8:48.23. Sylvia Jebiwott Kibet finished in second in 8:48.60. Alemitu Bekele ran a seasonal best of 8:48.73 for third. Layes Abdullayeva of Azerbijan, ran 8:49.65 for fourth, in a personal best. In fifth, Jessica Augusto of Portugal was rewarded for her fast pace-making, with a nice 8:50.81.

But, here was the fun one! Desiree Davila, a Brooks Hanson Project runner, a marathoner in the 2:37 range, dug into the pace, and ran 8:51.08, her personal best, as Davila moved to the final.

Lidia Chojecka, one of Poland's top runners, was sixth, behind Davila, in 8:52.14, her seasonal best, and moved on to the final. Adrienne Herzog of the Netherlands, was the last qualifier in 8:53.24.

My picks: This is a battle between Meseret Defar, Vivian Cheruiyot and Sylvia Kibet. Jessica Augusto might be able to slip into the top four, but this could be a very, very tough fight for medals. In the end, I am going to tip my hat to Defar for the gold, Cheruiyot for the silver.

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