by Alfonz Juck
MONACO (MON, Aug 10): Faith Kipyegon was so close after a great 1500 m race to beat the World record, which also comes from this meet. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce also showed something special. Men confirmed the running paradise status of this meet with fast 1000 m and 3000 m times. Noah Lyles again showed speed which points towards the best ever times. In summary: EBS Herculis had 1 DL record, 4 World leads, and 3 meet records. Still two more stops before the Zurich finals.
1000 m: Looked for Marco Arop to win but faded in the last 50 m and, despite big NR 2:14.35, was second. Jake Wightman prepared well for European 800 with 2:13.88 MR, and WL is also 3rd best European ever behind Coe and Cram. Irish record in 7th (McCann 2:16.40). E. Korir was not a factor (8th, 2:18.19).
3000 m: Surprise of the evening, Burundi´s Thierry Ndikumwenayo improved from 7:34.91 to 7:25.93 WL, NR, and even DLR. Also, 10th best ever performance. Aregawi was leading clearly faded similar to Arop, still 7:26.81 PB. Third Fisher US record 7:28.48.
110mH: Grant Holloway got his fourth ever sub 13 and first this year 12.99 (+0.6) ahead of Cunningham’s 13.03 pro-DL debut and back from injury for Parchment 13.08 SB. Before Munich 5th Zhoya 13.21 and 6th PML 13.26.
HJ: Barshim beats after jump-off Woo. They had a clean sheet until 230, and both did not clear 232. Again 232 and again a no. At 230, Barshim cleared and won. The rest only 225 and 220.
LJ: Very close battle here, Masso in 2nd round 835, Tentoglou tried with 831, twice 830, also 829 and 827 but remained second. Dendy is also great with 831 and 830. World champ 19 Gayle first 8 m of the year (806 fourth).
Women
100 m: Shelly-Ann in the third race in 5 days, gets MR and WL 10.62 in nearly wind-less conditions (+0.4). Her second best ever also equals 6th fastest ever time. Behind her 200 m World champ Shericka Jackson 10.71 PB and Ta Lou African record 10.72. All seven sub-11. Best ever positions 3, 4, and 6.
400 m: Shaunae controlled in 49.28, her 7th best ever, took McLeod to sub 50 (49.87, equaled her 2nd best ever time) and Sada Williams 50.10.
800 m (non-DL): Goule wins in 1:56.98, not only SB but also fourth fastest of 22. US runners for PB´s Hurta 1:57.85 and Baker 1:58.05.
1500 m: Race of the evening. Kipyegon was so close with 3:50.37 second fastest ever, and still not an MR. But of course, NR and WL. She was at 60.5, 2:02.6, 2:33.4, and 3:04.7. “I’m so disappointed I lost it in the last meters,” she said. Behind her under US runners with under 4 PB´s Maclean 3:58.89 and Cranny 3:59.06.
Steeple: Getachew confirmed Eugene medal with 9:06.19 win ahead of Wondemagegn 9:06.63 PB and superb EL and British record for Lizzie Bird 9:07.87 (also fourth best European ever). Fourth, Coburn was leading until the final stages, 9:07.93 SB.
400mH: Jamaicans ruled, Clayton even PB 53.33 and Russell SB 53.52. Tkachuk was the best European in fourth 54.27.
PV: Three went over 466, Kennedy in first, Morris in second, and Stefanidi in the third attempt. And that decision as they could not clear 476.
TJ: World champ Rojas in fifth round 15.01 saved herself and won (otherwise 4 fouls and 14.09). Ricketts brave second 14.91 and PB´s for Franklin 14.86 with Bekh-Romanchuk 14.59.
JT: Also here, Eugene gold medalist Barber prevailed with 64.50, second Kitaguchi after two wins in previous DL´s 62.37.
