by Alfonz Juck
Ben True passes Ryan Hill, Paavo Nurmi 2 mile, photo by PhotoRun.net
Millrose Games with superb results
NEW YORK (USA, Feb 11): Ajee’ Wilson brought the crowd to its feet at the 110th NYRR Millrose Games, shattering 14 years old American indoor 800m record in 1:58.27. Behind her Charlene Lipsey 1:58.64 and Briton Lynsey Sharp 2:01.14. Dutch star Sifan Hassan ended Shannon Rowbury’s mile winning streak with a world-leading and meet record 4:19.89 NR time, the first time since the 4:20 mark had been breached indoors on U.S. soil since 1999. Kate Grace 2nd with also fast Ä.22.93, Rowbury 3rd 4:23.05 and 6 more went under 4:30. Hassan also ran a world-leading 4:03.05 at 1500m, with Rowbury running a U.S.-leading 4:04.56. Eric Jenkins made it a clean sweep for the Nike Oregon Project milers, surging past hometown favorite Kyle Merber in the final lap to win in 3:53.23, also a world lead. Second Olympic 800 m medalist Clayton Murphy 3:54.31. Ben True won a 2 miles race in a world-leading 8:11.33 ahead of Ryan Hill 8:11.56 and Briton Andrew Butchart 8:12.63. One consolation for Hill was that he set a world-leading time for 3000m, hitting that split in 7:40.80, just ahead of True (7:40.96). Courtney Okolo ran an American record of 1:07.34 for the 500m, drawing a standing ovation from the crowd. Runner-up Alysia Montano, who is not running unsponsored, crossed the line in 1:09.55 for second. Less than 24 hours after being upgraded to the bronze medal for the 2011 and 2013 World Championship 800m, Montano spoke emotionally about her feelings. Brannon Kidder won the 1000 m in 2:19.92 ahead of 600 m WB holder Casimir Loxsom 2:21.06 and Canadian Kate van Buskirk 3000 m 8:52.08. Olympic winner Shaunae Miller clocked third fastest ever 35.71 WL and NR at 300 m over Ashley Spencer 36.27, Natasha Hastings 36.88 and teen star Sydney McLaughlin 37.09. Vernon Norwood was excellent in the men 500 m with also 3rd fastest ever 1:00.11 ahead of Brycen Spratling 1:00.90 and hurdles veteran Bershawn Jackson 1:01.17. Another World lead for olympic winner Ekaterini Stefanidi 482 in the pole vault beating Sandi Morris 472 and Katie Nageotte 462. Omar McLeod clocked 7.46 in the hurdles and another Olympic winner Derek Drouin topped high jump 227. Clayton Vaughn got the 60 m in 6.62, women´s Dezerea Bryant 7.12 and in the hurdles Canadian Phylicia George 7.98.
