RECORDS MAY FALL
IN PRE CLASSIC DISTANCES - PreClassic.com
Eugene, Oregon--How good have the
distance races been in the 35-year history of the Prefontaine Classic?
Good enough that the fastest times ever run on American soil in two of
the three endurance races in this year's Pre Classic were recorded in
prior editions of the meet. How good will they be on Sunday, June 7th
at Hayward Field? Good enough that all three records--in the women's
2000 meters and men's 3000 Meters and Steeplechase--are in serious
jeopardy.
In the women's 2k, No. 1 ranked middle distance runner Maryam
Jamal of Bahrain plans a pace that would bring her under 5
minutes, 30 seconds. The "American All-Comers Record" is 5:32.7, set
25 years ago by the incomparable Mary Slaney. Jamal is the 2007 1500 Meter World Champion, and her strong
season in 2008 earned her the No. 1 ranking by Track & Field
News magazine at that distance. This will be no solo run,
however, since Kenyan 5k specialists Vivian Cheriuyot and Linet
Masai, ranked No. 4 and 7 in the world, respectively, are in the
race. New York Marathon 3rd-placer and 2007 World Championships bronze
medalist Kara Goucher is also scheduled to compete, along with
No. 2 American Jen Rhines, and NCAA cross country champion Sally
Kipyego.
One competitor in the 2009 Pre Classic men's 3000 Meter race is
very
familiar with the fastest time ever run on American soil. Eliud
Kipchoge of Kenya set the record of 7:35.44 in the 2005 edition of
the meet. Kipchoge, ranked No. 2 in the world at 5000 Meters by T&FN, has to be rated the favorite, but only slightly over double World
Champion and two-time Olympic silver medalist Bernard Lagat of
the U.S., Beijing Olympic 10k silver
medalist Sileshi Sihine, No. 5 in the world Moses Masai of
Kenya, and Steeplechase world recordholder Saif Shaheen of
Qatar. The planned pace for the first mile is 4:01, and they'll have
nearly another mile to go!
In the 3000-Meter Steeplechase, World No. 1 Paul Koech, the Hayward Field and Prefontaine Classic recordholder, leads the field. The American All-Comers best is 8:04.51, set by Brahim
Boulami in 2002. American Olympians Billy Nelson and Josh
McAdams are also in the field.
Olympic Medal Total: with 12 events announced, the number of
Beijing medalists in the 2009 Prefontaine Classic now stands at 19,
with the Sprints and Jumps still to be announced. For announced
startlists, go to www.preclassic.com
Tickets are available online at goducks.com, from 1-800-WEBFOOT,
and in person at the Casanova Center ticket office. The NIKE
Prefontaine Classic will be shown live on NBC from 2-4 p.m. ET on June
7th.
2000 METERS (WOMEN)
**Maryam Jamal (Bahrain)
**Linet Masai (Kenya)
**Vivian Cheruiyot (Kenya)
**Pauline Korikwiang (Kenya)
**Jen Rhines
**Sara Hall
**Sally Kipyego (Kenya)
**Marina Muncan--pace
**Amy Yoder-Begley
**Arianne Lambie
**Kara Goucher
3000 METERS (MEN)
**Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya)
**Bernard Lagat
**Sileshi Sihine
**Moses Masai (Kenya)
**Abreham Feleke (Ethiopia)
**Matt Tegenkamp
**Juan Luis Barrios (Mexico)
**Chris Solinsky
**Jonathan Riley
**Leonard Komon (Kenya)
**Ian Dobson
**Matthew Kisorio (Kenya)
**Saif Shaheen (Qatar)
**Brent Vaughn
**Alistair Craig
**Steve Scherer--pace
STEEPLECHASE (MEN) **Paul Koech (Kenya) **Ezekiel Kemboi (Kenya) **Billy Nelson **Willy Komen (Kenya) **Kyle Alcorn **Dan Huling **Josh McAdams **Roba Gary (Ethiopia) **Ben Bruce **Tom Brooks **Steve Slattery **Brian Olinger **Luke Watson--pace |