The Pre Classic Meet was held in the confines of Palo Alto. And Stanford’s Track Complex played the host. What did we learn? That the US could and should be hosting two DL meets on the West Coast. Stanford is a great place to host a Diamond League meet.
Here’s EME News comments on each event!
Maria Lasitskene, photo by PhotoRun.net
Darlan Romani, photo by PhotoRun.net
California dreaming: sub 8:20 at 3k, hurdles 47.16, Coleman 100 m WL, Romani beats them
STANFORD (USA, Jun 30): Stanford University proved to be a wonderful guest host for the 45th edition of the Prefontaine Classic (full house 8128 spectators), the seventh stop of the 2019 IAAF Diamond League. Following the demolition of 99 year-old Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore., the meet’s traditional home, the competition was moved here to Cobb Track & Angell field for just one edition, and the athletes took full advantage of the warm, dry conditions to post some of the fastest performances ever in the United States. In total 6 World leads, 6 meet records, among that marks European and African record in women 3000, South American record in shot put, European U23 record in 3000 m women, European U20 record in men´s mile, also World U20 all-time best in 2 miles.
Event by event
Men
100 m: Coleman confirmed who is number one in the World with commanding 9.81 WL (-0.1), but Gatlin with his World all-time best for age 35+ 9.87 was a surprise, sub 10 also for European champion Hughes 9.97.
400 m: Another clear win, but Norman was the only one with sub 45 (44.62).
Mile: Timothy Cheruiyot saved his Bowerman Mile win although Souleiman (3:51.22) and Ingebrigtsens were trying. Winning 3:50.49 is a WL, Filip 3:51.28 as third is an EL and Jakob´s 3:51.30 is European U20 record. Tefera 8th, Manangoi 12th.
2 miles (non-DL): Cheptegei considered as 10k specialist had superb finish in 8:07.54 WL and resisted over Chelimo 8:07.59 with Barega who was leading ended third in World U20 best 8:08.69.
110mH: Ortega got it with 13.24 (+0.3), one of four European wins during the afternoon. Belocian edged McLeod by 0.005.
400mH: Big solo for Benjamin 47.16 WL and MR, also 9th fastest ever performance.
PV: Kendricks cleared 588 and looked to be set for another win, but the youngster prevailed as Duplantis jumped 593 and tried at 601. First win as pro for the athlete who represents Sweden. WR holder Lavillenie on return path 546.
SP: It was not one of the favorites, but the Brazilian hero Romani who improved three times his South American record 22.46 to 22.55 to 22.61 (also a MR). Also had last try better than previous PB 22.37. Crouser 22.17 and Walsh 21.76 were observers in this situation.
Women
100 m (non-DL): Ta Lou in 11.02 (+0.3) beat a packed field, as Richardson debuted as pro in 4th 11.15, but Bowie 7th (11.30) and Shelly-Ann 8th (11.39).
200 m: Surprise of the day Okagbare getting this from outside lane 22.05 (+1.9) over Oly winner Thompson 22.21, Eurochamp Asher-Smith 22.42, NR for Naser 22.51 and Schippers 6th 22.62.
800 m: Back to usual, Semenya won in 1:55.70 meet record and US all-comers mark, 5 more went under 2 minutes. Wilson was the best 1:58.36 over Rogers 1:58.65 and big PB for Green 1:58.75.
1500 m (non-DL): Kipyegon is back with sub 4 win and more importantly she beat Muir, Hulihan and Tsegay in 3:59.04.
3000 m: Race of the day, non Chinese WR but real European record for Sifan Hassan 8:18.49 (also MR, WL). Second Klosterhalfen German senior and European U23 record 8:20.07, Gidey surprisingly beat (and she was leading for first) Genzebe 8:20.27 African record to 8:21.29 outdoor PB (has 8:16.60 indoors). Weightman big PB 8:26.07 beat Obiri and Tirop. Oly 10k winner Ayana comeback race 12th.
Steeple: Chepkoech turned the tables back after Oslo loss and dominated in 8:55.58 WL and MR. Brave Coburn after a fall finished second 9:04.90.
HJ: Lasitskene gave the crowd meet record 204 and then tried at Russian record 208. Cunningham´s first ever 200 and Mahuchickh fifth U20 jumper with 2 metres outdoors (she has 201 indoors).
SP: World champ Gong ruled with 19.79 win over Thomas-Dodd 19.26 and Ealey 19.23.
