by Larry EderThe Muller Indoor GP Birmingham is one of the finest meets on the circuit. The 200m banked Mondo at the arena Birmingham is fast and provides good footing for middle and long distance races. The seating of 7500 is such that there is not a bad seat in the house. The fans are enthused, and feature, new, old and consistent fans. The announcing is very good and the fields are picked to feature top Brits, developing and top Americans,top global athletes and some surprises.
The fans in Arena Birmingham, Feb. 16, 2019, photo by Getty Images/British Athletics
The 2019 version, the fifth stop on the 2019 IAAF World Tour, was no different. From a real battle for a WR, to two superb sprints and hurdles, to a fine PV, , the meet was competitive and entertaining.
Here’s my Five Huge Moments from Birmingham:
1. Bingtian Su stomps best men’s field in 6.47!
Bingtian Su had raced two nights before in Ireland. He got out like a flash in the final, and won in 6.47, the fastest time of the year. GBR’s Reece Prescod ran 6.53 in the final (6.57 in heat), taking second, and Mike Rodgers was third in 6.54. Mike Rodgers was just a bit off, as Bingtian Su and Reece Prescod went by. Reecer Prescod would be a medal contender in Glasgow, if he only wanted to race there.
2. Elaine Thompson wins in Birmingham!
Only Ewa Swoboda was missing, as Elaine Thompson took the lead and never let up, winning in 7.13. Asha Philip looked fantastic as she took second in 7.14 and Marie Jose Ta Lou was third in 7.15. I still believe that no one can defeat Ewa Swoboda this season, but that is conjecture.
Holly Bradshaw, photo by Getty Images/British Athletics
3. Holly Bradshaw continues to shine in pole vault!
After her win at 4.80m in SPAR Champs last weekend, Holly Bradshaw won on second best jump over Katie Nageotte, 4.81m (USA) and Nikoletia Kirokopoulou, GRE (4.81m), Ektaterina Stefanidi has suffered from illness for 3 weeks, and is just starting to feel human again. Bradshaw should be ready for Glasgow.
Samuel Tefera sets WR in 3:31.04, photo by Getty Images/British Athletics
4. Samuel Tefera beats Yomif Kejelcha, and then, the get a WR of 3:31.04
So, Bram Som takes them through the 400m in 55.9, the 800m in 1:52.7, and departs post 900m. Yomif Kejelha pushes to 1,200m in 2:49.2, and Samue Tefera tucks in behind Kejelcha, and waits until 1400 meters, charging wildly by, and taking the win in 3:31.04, a new WR. Yomif Kejelcha ran 3:31.58, fastest loser ever indoors.
Laura Muir, running 4:01.83/4:18.75, photo by Getty Images/British Athletics
5. Laura Muir ends meet with 2 NRs!
Andy Young, the coach of Laura Muir, gets it. Stay out of the media, don’t predict anything and let Laura do her talking with her feet. Laura hit the 800m in 2:12, then, dropped the hammer. Running 2:06 on the back end, 64, then a 62 for the last two quarters, Laurrra Muir first hit 4:01.83 at 1,500m and 4:18.75, at the mile, both NRs!
The @runblogrun tour of the IAAF World Indoor Tour, aka Le Tour de Larry, is sponsored by USATF and Nike, reminding you that the 2019 Toyota USATF Indoor Championships are February 22, 23, and 24 at the Ocean Breeze AC, on Staten Island. To purchase tickets, please use this link:
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