This is Sam Fariss’s second of three columns on the Millrose Games 2023. Sam Fariss has written for us for just under two years. We are happy to see her observations on the sport.
Hobbs handles the heat, Christian Coleman Collects
By Sam Fariss for RunBlogRun
Aleia Hobbs, the 26-year-old American track athlete, competed in the women’s 60-meter race on Saturday at the Millrose Games.
Hobbs clocked a 7.04 to take home first place and set a facility record. She was closely followed by fellow U.S. sprinters Tamari Davis and Marybeth Sant-Price. Davis finished in 7.08 to earn a personal best and Sant-Price ran a 7.11 to earn a season-best. The American women filled up the top three spots to earn a sweep in the 60-meter competition.
at The Armory Track
New York, NY
2023-02-11, photo by Kevin Morris
Just a week prior to the showdown in The Armory, Hobbs competed in Boston and finished in 7.02 seconds and collect the first-place finish as well.
Hobbs ran a 6.98 in January, making her the third-fastest American woman in history – following Gail Devers and Marion Jones who are tied at 6.95 seconds.
While not an Olympic or World Championship event length, shows promise amongst young, American, female sprinters.
At the World Athletics Championships last July, Hobbs finished sixth in the 100-meter race.
Christian Coleman, the 26-year-old American track athlete, competed in the men’s 60-meter race in New York City’s Millrose Games. In a highly anticipated race, the excitement, as well as the drama, certainly did not disappoint.
Coleman crossed the finish line in 6.47 seconds to earn himself not just the facility record but the world-leading time for the season.
at The Armory Track
New York, NY
2023-02-11, photo by Kevin Morris
After a lot of attention was brought to the event by Noah Lyles’ boisterous personality and larger-than-life outfits leading up to the race Not to mention the astonishing amount of American athletes who entered – six out of the allotted eight starting slots.
Once the crowd grew silent and the athletes were set, the gun fired but Lyles had moved first. The officials automatically disqualified him for the false start but allowed him to run the race under protest.
Once the crowd grew silent and the athletes were set, again, the gun fired and Coleman was the first athlete to shoot out of the blocks, Lyles quickly falling behind with a noticeable hesitation.
Coleman looked strong and there was certainly no denying him the victory as the other athletes tried to keep up. Lyles was never able to bridge the gap and was officially disqualified after officials reviewed the initial false start.
Travis Williams, a Jamaican and University of Albany athlete, finished in second place while Noah Lyles’s brother, Josephus, finished in third.
