byLarry EderHappy New Years to all! Samuel Muturi won the first important marathon on the year, in Xiamin, China.
Chelsea Johnson and Darren Niedermeyer won the elite competition at the American Pole Vault Summit in Reno, Nevada. The Pole Vault summit is an example of what can be done for the sport when good people work together. A series of competitions, plus clinics, it is a weekend to celebrate track & field’s acrobats-the pole vaulter.
We have been writing about the Summit since 1993, when, in American Athletics, editor Christine Johnson sent Tim Johnson to cover coach Petrov and his clinic! A great event, we heartily suggest that all vaulters and their coaches get theirselves to Reno!
EME NEWS (JAN 3, 2009)
Muturi clockes 2:08:51 new course record
XIAMEN (CHN, Jan 3): Kenyan Samuel Muturi won the first important marathon of 2009, the 7th Xiamen International Marathon (IAAF Gold Label) in new course record 2:08:51. For Muturi also a new PB as he had before 2:11:08 from Portugal win in Porto last October. He will receive 30 000 USD for win and 15 000 USD course record bonus. In the southeast China´s Province Fujian second Ethiopian Negari Terfa also clocked under the former record (2:09:03 Hailu Negussie in 2003) and improved hugely to 2:09:01. He had before 2:13:19 as third also in Porto last October. In Italy based Moroccan Rachid Kisri as third in 2:10:33 improved his best by one second (2:10:34 to win Treviso in 2006). Home triumph in women category but the winning time 2:29:52 for Chen Rong was not near the course record 2:22:38 by Zhang Yingying in 2008. Chen Rong is Beijing marathon winner 2007 and fourth here in 2008 and will get 30 000 USD. The defending champion Zhang Yingying was clear second in 2:32:57 with 2:26 runner Wang Jiali third (2:33:58). On a cool 12 degrees Celsius, windy day, a record of over 30,000 runners from 37 countries competed in different races in this coastal city of 2.3 million, informs Xinhua.
Chelsea Johnson wins in Reno
RENO (USA, Jan 2): NCAA record holder, Chelsea Johnson was the winner on Friday night at the National American Pole Vault Summit. Both Johnson and Brazilian record holder, Fabiana Murer cleared 445. Johnson was declared the winner as she had few misses in the competiton. Chelsea is coached by her father, Munich 1972 Bronze medalist, Jan Johnson. Third Lacy Janson achieved 435 ahead of Becky Holliday (425) and former world record holder Stacy Dragila (also 425). Erin Asay a 460 jumper no-heighted. US Indoor champs 2007 bronze winner Darren Niedermeyer was the best man with 560. Second Rory Quiller cleared 550 with a tie for third for Brian Mondschein and Paul Gensic (540). Athens Olympic winner Tim Mack was fifth (540) with Mexican record holder and Olympian Giovanni Lanaro sixth (530) and 2000 olympic winner Nick Hysong seventh (530).
Special thanks to Alfons Juck.
For more on the sport, please check www.american-trackandfield.com.
