by Stuart Weir
Laura Muir, Laura Weightman, photo by Stuart Weir, via TV , 2020 ISTAf
Exciting races at Istaf, now in its 80th year.
There were several excellent races at the Istaf in Berlin.
Hyvin Kiyeng, 2015 World Champion, was the surprise winner of the 3000m steeplechase. Kiyeng finished in a WL 9:06.14 from world record-holder and current world champion, Beatrice Chepkeoch (9:10.07) in a Kenyan 1-2.
Women’s steeplechase, photo Stuart Weir
For Kiyeng, it was a happy ending to a difficult year: “Due to the Corona virus I was stuck in Kenya and kept training. We had many problems because of the virus. I thank God because this year was not easy. No Kenyan championships, they cancelled the Olympics, nothing. Training during the lockdown was possible, they allowed us to train. This is my very first competition for the whole year and I am grateful. I did a Corona test in Kenya, it was negative and we flew to Berlin. I arrived two days ago. I appreciate that they have me here to run the 3000m steeple”. Aimee Pratt (2020 GB champion) was fourth with 2019 GB champion Rosie Clarke fifth.
Laura Muir, Laura Weightman, photo by Stuart Weir via TV, 2020 IStaf
Laura Muir continued her impressive season winning the 1500m in a world leading 3:57.40. Laura Weighman ran a PR 4:00.09 for second. Jessica Hull ran an Australian record (4:00.42) for third. Melissa Courtney-Bryant was fourth in 4:02.34 with Shannon Rowbury just fifth in 4:02.56.
Laura Muir, 2020 ISTAf, photo by Stuart Weir via TV
Muir commented: “I had a lot of confidence, I love this stadium. Two years ago I won the European championships here. So I wanted to come back and run fast here. I am very happy to be here today. We started the season quite late, so I have done months and months of training”.
Dafne Schippers, photo by Stuart Weir, via TV , 2020 ISTAf
Dafne Schippers won the women’s 100m in 10.26 from Marie-Josée Ta Lou (11.38) Schippers commented: “I am very happy with the race today, as I came for the win. It is always amazing to participate here in Berlin. There is actually quite a lot of supporters, especially seen these times. The atmosphere is as usual very cool. I dealt with quite a few injuries, so I try to do as many races as possible at the moment. I still deal with my injury a little bit, however I was able to perform and win here today, so that gives me confidence, and I feel very good. During the Corona times, I did not have any peak moments to train for, so that was very different from what it normally would be like. But I am still very happy with all the results that I have currently”. Arthur Cissé won the men’s 100m in 10.10,
Arthur Cissé, photo by Stuart Weir, via TV , 2020 ISTAf
Karsten Warholm won the 400m hurdles in 47.08 setting a new meeting record. The previous one was set in 1980 by Edwin Moses. Warholm commented: “I love running in this stadium. It has got a fast track. So I am really happy with today´s race. This year, I have had a very good season, running low 47s. I really want to come back here. Istaf is the best meeting in the world. Although they are not allowed to have a lot of people in here, everybody was making a lot of noise. The atmosphere was the best this year. It was really good and it gave me this extra energy.
Karsten Warholm, photo by Stuart Weir, via TV , 2020 ISTAf
My expectations today were to execute the race really fast and do the best that I can. And I think I got in a very fast race today. I felt like I did one of my best races. I think this is my third best time ever so I am really happy about that.
So posting these times now, eventually even greater times will come, that is what I think. I have another competition in Rome and then our nationals. Holiday? What is that? I think I will not be able to go on holiday. I have to go back and train”.
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