by Larry Eder
Rob Myers is shown here winning the New Balance Games indoor mile, in 3:59.92. The New Balance Games and the NY Armory, which was underwritten by a gift from Jim Davis, new member of the IRRA Hall of Fame, President of New Balance, as a gift to the sport. The Armory, which is one hundred years old this year, has been championed by Dr. Norb Sander, an early winner of the NYC marathon, and his friends, some of the true characters in the sport. They do great things, like hosting over 60 indoor track meets each season with over 75,000 athletes of all ages getting a chance to compete and learn about our sport!
The Armory is an example of how our sport does come together: corporate needs and community needs, many times, can both win in a situation like the Armory, which had a great history, but needed to be refurbished. The 200 meter Mondo track gives the Armory one of the fastest indoor track facilities in the world!
A special thanks to Jim Davis, New Balance, Dr. Norb Sander and his team for re-developing a true sports sanctuary, the NY Armory!
new balance games…..by Ian Brooks
Indoor Season is ramping up and NYC’s famous New Balance Armory Track provided a World Leader in 3-time Guyana Olympian, Aliann Pompey(GUY). Pompey’s 51.85, torched the field on her hometurf, as she trains at the Armory with Former Irish Sprint champion, Joe Ryan from Manhattan College. Ryan who paraded around the Beijing Track during the Opening Ceremonies with his athlete and under the Guyana Flag. A former NCAA indoor champion, the 30 year old Physical Trainor was an Olympic Semi Finalist in the W400m. The 400m was hot, and US Junior and HS student from Seton Hall Prep, Clayton Parros(USA) won the open Men’s 400m in 47.58 in a late charge passing Anthony Campbell in the final meters.
The NYC Armory which is celebrating it’s 100th Anniversary is normally the place for fast and furious miles. With the late withdrawal of defending New Balance Games champion and 2008 Worlds Fastest Miler, Andy Baddeley(GBR). The race was wide open, and indeed it was. New Zealand’s Max Smith led at 400m in 57.1, and continued to a 800m split of 1.57.5 with the only taker, fellow Kiwi, Adrian Blincoe. When Smith departed after 1000m, Blince was isolated from the pack by 10m. Then first, Steve Scherer(USA) bridged up, followed by Neil Speight(GBR) and Rob Myers(USA). Thru 1200m at 2.59.5, the group was coming, and at the bell, Scherer had passed early leader Blincoe, but lurking 5m back were Myers and Speight. With 150m to go, the crowd was on it’s feet as Blincoe repassed Scherer and Myers was gaining ever so slightly. Off the final turn, Myers proved to be the stronger winning just under the magical 4 minute barrier. Myers was the 39th sub four minute mile at the NYC Armory, in 3.59.92.
The Ohio State graduate, has changed coaches and is now training with Michigan’s Ron Warhurst and Olympic 1500m Bronze Medalist, Nick Willis(NZ). Myers quipped, “I was clipped early on, and I decided to pace myself carefully back to the leaders. I knew there was alot of talent at the race, and was very confident that my strength and speed would prevail”. The athletes delivered once again for meet organizer Ian Brooks, who had joked the night earlier at dinner that “it would be wonderful to have 3 coming off the last turn for the win”.
Special thanks to Ian Brooks and Victah Sailer for the above info!
For more on New Balance Athletic shoes, please check www.newbalance.com
For more on the sport of running, please click http://www.runningnetwork.com
