by Larry Eder
Jenny Simpson leads USA 1,500m champs, June 29, 2014,
photo by PhotoRun.net
Running in less than perfect conditions, like 100 plus degrees on the Sacramento track, Jenny Simpson ran her race and won the USA 1,500 meter title. Mary Cain, the young professional athlete from the Nike Oregon project, was, in fact second, but, in fact, could have been in a different race. Simpson, the former World Champion from 2011 and silver medalist from 2013, is in the top of her form. Mary Cain, running well, is at the beginning of her professional development. Fascinating to see both in the same race.
Move, then, to July 5, 2014, in front of 35,000 to 40,000 screaming fans at the Stade de France in St.Denis, Paris, France. Jenny Simpson has followed Phoebe Wright through 61.96 for 400 meters and 2:07.23 for 800 meters. The bell, hit in 2:56, had Jenny Simpson out front, running for what her manager, Ray Flynn, told me a few hours before the race, would be….
Jenny Simpson in high gear at USA Outdoors, June 29, 2014,
photo by PhotoRun.net
…a very fast race.
I noted Ray Flynn’s comment in my brain. Ray Flynn, an agent, is also a former miler and Irish NR at 1,500m, mile and 5,000 meters. Ray is not one prone to exaggeration, when it comes to times of his athletes.
Jenny Simpson took the lead pack through 2:55.0 with Sifan Hassan and Arega Aregawi, in two. Aregawi began an inexplicable fall from lead pack to tenth place, as Simpson hit the 1200 meter mark in 3:10. I remember going, “this will be a really fast one”.
Sifan Hasan, the Dutch runner ( moved to Holland in 2008 as a political refugee, at age of 14), had extricated herself from a fast moving pack where feet get caught and one can tumble. Hasan noted to the media that she had to work hard to get up with Jenny Simpson.
Jenny Simpson was running the race of her life. Hitting the 1100 meters in 2:55.00, and the 1200 meters in 3:10.51, Jenny Simpson was flying. But, so was Sifan Hassan.
Jenny Simpson wins USA Outdoors, June 29, 2014,
photo by PhotoRun.net
Hassan went by Jenny Simpson with just about 280 meters to go. Simpson did not relent. While Hassan got some initial real estate, Jenny Simpson pumped those well earned arms and legs and stay close, oh so close….
As Sifan Hassan blasted around the final turn with 200 meters left to go, Jenny Simpson was right there. I was hoping she could hold on, as she had lead most of the way. And Simpson did. The weather was perfect, the pace making was near perfect and the competition, wow!
Sifan Hassan continued to fly down the straight, as the crowd screamed and cheered! They knew that they were seeing something quite special. Sifan Hassan, the U23 SPAR European Cross Country champ, showed her strength and speed, and now, her real chance of challenging Abebe Aregawi for the European 1,500 meters crown, with her new Dutch record of 3:57.00!
Jenny Simpson, keeping her form and control, held on and ran 3:57.22 for second! As Jenny Simpson crossed the line, she was making American history. Just one tenth of a second off the American record, set by Mary Decker Slaney on 26 August 1983 (3:57.12), Jenny Simpson had just become the second best American women EVER at the 1,500 meters.
The 2011 World Champion at 1,500 meters, the 2013 World Champion silver medalist, Jenny Simpson is the best American women middle distance runner, period. Her breath of racing, her international record, and her times speak for themselves.
How much faster can she go?
One thing is for certain, in mind. As Jenny Simpson caught her breath, and took her cooldown, that wonderful mind was already calculating where she can improve. Remember, there is an American record out there, looking for the fearless, to break it!
Jenny Simpson, 2014 USA outdoors, photo by PhotoRun.net
