byAlfonz Juck
Katie Nageotte clears 4.86m, photo by PhotoRun.netNageotte beats Stefanidi
BOSTON (USA, Jan 26): Distance races highlighted the first meet of the fourth edition of IAAF World Indoor Tour in the Reggie Lewis Center here. At the 24th New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, Ethiopian Yomif Kejelcha became 12th fastest ever performer indoors with 3:51.70 national record ahead of Bethwell Birgen 3:54.82 PB. Another World lead 7:37.41 by Hagos Gebrhiwot in the 3000 m clearly over Edward Cheserek 7:42.93. Top two were followed by European runners, Spain´s Adel Mechaal 7:45.56 and Brits Andrew Butchart 7:46.50 with Chris O´Hare 7:47.78. Great 800 m duel was won by Donavan Brazier 1:45.91 ahead of Clayton Murphy 1:45.94. German Konstanze Klosterhalfen who now trains in US won the 5000 m in excellent 15:15.80 WL over former World champion Jenny Simpson who competed at the distance after ten years with 15:33.38. Surprise mile winner was Canadian Gabriela Stafford 4:24.80 edging Elinor Purrier 4:24.88. Ethiopian Dawit Seyaum was third 4:26.84 ahead of Cory McGee 4:28.07 and then two national records. Yolanda Ngarambe 4:28.30 for Sweden and Ciara Mageean 4:28.31 for Ireland. Steeple World champion Emma Coburn was 10th 4:32.68. Raevyn Rogers won the 600 m in 1:27.31 when Georganne Moline fell. Young stars had pro debuts, Rai Benjamin 32.55 in the 300 m and Sydney McLaughlin 1:09.46 in the 500 m, for both personal bests. Also strong 36.97 in the 300 m by Kendall Ellis, Nathan Strother won men 400 m in 46.97. Michelle-Lee Ahye from Trinidad dominated the women 60 m in 7.21 and men´s hurdles were close with four athletes within 0.02. Jarrett Eaton got 7.64 win over Aaron Mallett 7.65 and Freddie Crittenden with Josh Thompson both 7.66. The only technical events produced World leads. Katie Nageotte 486 in pole vault over Olympic and World winner Katerini Stefanidi 471 and Maggie Ewen 19.28 in shot (also indoor PB) over German Christina Schwanitz 18.87.
RunBlogRun opines: Watch for our NB coverage on Sunday and Monday! The NB Indoor GP was fantastic! Excellent miles and 800 meters, plus tough 3000m and 5000m and a fine pole vault!
Katie Nageotte, photo by PhotoRun.net
