byJeff Benjamin
Jake Wightman, photo by Getty Images / British Athletics
This is piece 5 on the NB Indoor GP by Jeff Benjamin! We like Jake, we have built a statue with Jake in Wisconsin.
New Balance Grand Prix Live At Ocean Breeze, Staten Island
The Wightman Father-Son Duo!
By Jeff Benjamin
When the legendary Sebastian Coe burst upon the world-class scene in the late 1970’s, many were surprised to learn that his coach was none other than his father Peter.
With no prior experience in the Sport (he had a background in cycling) Peter Coe’s scientific and engineering mind contributed to son Sebastian’s success on the world and Olympic stage.
Jake Wightman, photo by Mike Deering / The Shoe Addicts
Like the Coe’s, British middle distance runner Jake Wightman has been following the same kind of dynamic, and it has worked pretty well so far.
Jake Wightman, photo by Mike Deering / The Shoe Addicts
Wightman (whose 3:29.47 1500 is the second fastest time ever run by a Brit!) will be lining up this Saturday at Staten Island’s Ocean Breeze Indoor attack in the loaded Men’s 1500 at the New Balance Grand Prix.
Jake Wightman, photo by Mike Deering / The Shoe Addicts
“This is my only race this indoor season and I hope to try and run quick,” said Wightman, whose coach is his Father Geoff. “I’ve heard the Ocean Breeze Track is fast and my track sessions have gone well.
Wightman is also going to try and break the British national 1500 record held by Peter Elliott of 3:34.20.
“Then I’m just going back into winter work,” said Wrightman, whose major goals no doubt are getting on the podium at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
Thanks @BAWA_Athletics for this 🙌🼠https://t.co/tkVTxrQYI0
— Jake Wightman (@JakeSWightman) December 22, 2020
Bell Lap
Although no live spectators are allowed, the 2021 New Balance Indoor Grand Prix will be shown live on NBC from 4 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 13. The event is the only gold-level U.S. stop on the World Athletics Indoor Tour.
