Evan Jager runs fastest flat 3000 meters ever by an American Steepler

Evan Jager; good over land and sea
(photo: TrackAndFieldPhoto)

Evan Jager's "absolutely incredible dream of a season"continued in Stockholm, Sweden today as he ran 7:35.16 for 3000 meters; becoming the 9th fastest American ever at the distance (video highlights here). More importantly, Jager became the fastest American ever that primarily runs the Steeplechase. This makes sense, as he set the American Record earlier in the season in Monaco, running 8:06.81 for the 3000 meter Steeplechase.

After the race, Jager told Flotrack's Kevin Liao "I'm very pleased with how it went. I'm really happy." Jager would finish 6th overall, as Kenya's Isiah Koech would take the win in 7:30.43.

Jager will now run a few 1500's to look to improve on his 3:38.33 PR from 2009.

Jager's company on the American All Time Top 10 list for the flat 3000 meters is a who's who of the best American distance runners ever. If he continues on at the pace he has this season, he'll be remembered in the same way.

Top 10 Americans All Time at 3000 Meters
1. 7:29.00 Bernard Lagat
2. 7:30.84 Bob Kennedy
3. 7:31.00 Matt Tegenkamp
4. 7:33.37 Sydney Maree
5. 7:33.45 Galen Rupp
6. 7:34.32 Chris Solinsky
7. 7:34.96 Adam Goucher
8. 7:35.08 Alan Webb
9. 7:35.16 Evan Jager
10. 7:35.32 Dathan Ritzenhein

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37 years after the death of Steve Prefontaine, the Pre Classic lives on

What was originally staged as the "Hayward Field Restoration Race" in 1975, the Prefontaine Classic, now in it's 38th year, continues to live on as the premier track and field event in America.

I was lucky enough to attend last year (and kept a journal my time in Eugene) and couldn't pass up the return trip to Eugene (via Portland) for the 2012 edition. If you're a track fan, this is something you need to see in person.

The distance action heats up Friday night with "Hollister Night at Hayward." The event is free to attend and will be webcast starting at 7:25pm Pacific (10:25pm Eastern) at PreClassic.com.

The Women's 800 kicks things off at 7:30pm with Molly Beckwith, Heather Kampf, Gena Gall, LaTavia Thomas, Alysia Montano and Maggie Vessey leading the way. This is the race that put Vessey on the map. Her win in 2009 out of nowhere paved the way to where she is now. Expect her to challenge for the win. This will also be an excellent chance to see where Montano's fitness is, as we haven't seen much out of her this year (yet).

The Men's International Mile is up next, at 7:37pm, with a stellar field of Americans, including Russell Brown, Matt Centrowitz, Will Leer, Jeff See, Dorian Ulrey and American Record Holder, Alan Webb (who set the American High School Record in 2001 here). Alfred Kirwa Yego, Nicholas Kemboi and Mohammed Shaween lead the foreign contingent. This event has become a new standard at Pre and expect the winner to be close to 3:50.

Vessey, Schmidt and Montano will
take on the world's best
(photo: TrackAndFieldPhoto)

The Women's 1500 goes off at 7:46 with another excellent American field of Gabrielle Anderson, Katie Mackey, Lauren Johnson, Brenda Martinez, Treniere Moser, Anna Pierce, Shannon Rowbury, Jenny Simpson and Phoebe Wright. Sheila Reid, Jemma Simpson and Tizita Bogale will lead the foreign contingent. Simpson will try to regain the form that found her running 3:59.90 here in 2010, as much of the rest of the field will take aim at the Olympic A Standard of 4:06.00.

The Women's 10,000 is up next at 7:56pm. Expect Tirunesh Dibaba to go away with this one, but pay attention to Lauren Fleshman. She's been injured and is rabbiting. It will be a good chance to see what kind of form she's in before the trials. Alisha Williams will take aim at the Olympic A Standard of 31:45. She has the B right now and will want to get this out of the way before the Olympic Trials in 3 weeks. (Nevermind, she was just rabbiting through 3000)

Closing out the night is the ballyhooed Kenyan Olympic Trials in the 10,000. Athletics Kenya decided to stage it here due to the similarity in elevation to London and it should be quite a run. The top two will qualify, with the last choice going to the committee. 10 of the Men entered have run under 27 minutes and I would expect this race to be won in the 26:45 range. Micah Kogo and Eliud Kipchoge seem to be the favorites, but it's Kenya. There are new stars emerging yearly. Expect the unexpected. I'll be pulling for "36 year old" Mark Kiptoo.

The 38th Annual Prefontaine Classic goes off Saturday, as usual, with excellent sprints, distance and field events. It will be broadcast at noon Pacific (3pm Eastern) on NBC. The Women's Steeplechase kicks off the distance events at 11:46am with Emma Coburn, Bridget Franek and Sara Hall lining up against the best in the world. Milcah Chemos looks to be the ace of the field. Coburn and Franek went 1-2 last year at USA Outdoors and look to be the favorites to make the team once again. Hall has yet to show the form that she showed towards the end of the 2011 season. This will be her chance to show whether or not she's a threat to make the team.

The Women's 3000 goes off at 12:11pm with Jackie Areson, Angela Bizzarri, Brie Felnagle, Sally Kipyego, Molly Huddle, Lisa Uhl and Amy Hastings duking it out. Talk about an American distance fans dream race. This one should be a lot of fun.

Symmonds won in 2007 and would love
 to win Pre again
(photo: TrackAndFieldPhoto)

The Men's 800 is next at 12:24pm with Nick Symmonds taking on the world's best (sans David Rudisha). Yuriy Borzakovskiy, Abubaker Kaki, Adam Kszczot, Mohammed Aman and Boaz Lalang will make it a tough one. Add Americans Khadevis Robinson and Tyler Mulder to the mix and you've got a very strong 800. Matt Scherer will lead them around.

The Men's 5000 is at 12:50pm with Matt Tegenkamp and Galen Rupp taking on an incredible field of Mo Farah, Kenenisa Bekele, Craig Mottram, Collis Birmingham, Isiah Koech, Sam Chelanga, Yenew Alamirew and Augustine Choge. Will Rupp go under 13:00 finally? and on American soil? He's gonna have to if he wants to compete in this field!

Closing out the classic will be the Bowerman Mile at 1:19pm. The American contingent will be comprised of Andrew Wheating, Leo Manzano, Lopez Lomong, David Torrence and Bernard Lagat. Silas Kiplagat, Asbel Kiprop Amine Laalou and Nick Willis will lead the world challengers. Kiprop's been tough here, but Kiplagat recently got the better of him in Doha. Expect a scorcher!

All in all, an event that Pre would be proud of!

I'll be tweeting and running around all over Eugene from Thursday night on... with stops at Track Town Pizza, Ninkasi Brewing, Pre's Trail, Rogue Public House, Morning Glory and of course, Hayward Field!

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Diamond Dash: DL Final in Brussels sees Galen Rupp targeting American 10k Record

No pollen, no problems
(TrackAndFieldPhoto)

At 1:15 pm eastern today, the final Diamond League meet of the season will get started in Brussels, Belgium. At 1:25pm, the Men's 10,000 will go off with Galen Rupp taking on Kenya and Ethiopia's finest (including Kenenisa Bekele). Rupp will have one number on his mind, 26:59. Rupp was planning on going after this record earlier this year at Distance Night in Eugene, but a high pollen count spoiled the attempt. That won't be an issue today, and with highs in the low 60's, the weather should be great for the attempt.

Next up will be the Women's 1500 at 2:21pm. All American eyes will be on Morgan Uceny, as she attempts to take one more victory and clinch the Diamond League 1500 title. Maryam Jamal will be her biggest competition for the $40,000 pay day. Also in the field will be golden child, Jenny Simpson, as she attempts to rebound from a poor showing in Rieti.

The Men's 800 goes off at 2:45pm with another epic showdown between David Rudisha and Abubaker Kaki. A very fit Asbel Kiprop will join the mix to make things interesting as well, but no Americans will be in the field. At 3:13pm, the Women's Steeplechase will finish it's Diamond League season. Milcah Chemo leads this field with no Americans joining the party. Closing out the day will be the Men's 5000 at 3:38pm. Vincent Chepkok and a recently disqualified Imane Merga will lead another American-less field. 

Follow along at Universal Sports and UniversalSports.com

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Diamond Dash: "Olympics in a Day" in Zurich Thursday

Cheruyiots of Fire
(TrackAndFieldPhoto)

Only a few days after the completion of the 2011 IAAF Track and Field World Championships in Daegu, South Korea, the always exciting Weltklasse Zürich Diamond League meet kicks off at 2pm eastern Thursday (on UniversalSports.com).

The distance action gets started at 2:15pm with the Women's 5000. Vivian Cheruiyot, coming off a very strong 5000/10,000 double at Daegu, leads a very strong field, including Daegu 5000 Silver Medalist, Sylvia Kibet, 10,000 Silver Medalist, Sally Kipyego and American, Shalane Flanagan. Flanagan's coming off an average 10,000 in Daegu and will look to bounce back and once again take aim at Molly Huddle's American 5000 Record; one that she's come within a second or two of breaking multiple times this summer.

The Women's 800 is the next distance event on tap at 2:50pm. This field is stacked with Daegu winner, Mariya Savinova, Silver Medalist, Caster Semenya and Bronze Medalist, Janeth Jepkosgei. It also has a hungy Jenny Meadows, who missed the finals in Daegu in being outkicked by Maggie Vessey in the semis. Alysia Montano will be ready to go as well after narrowly missing the Bronze by .06 seconds. Finally, Morgan Uceny will look to rebound after being tripped with 500 to go in the 1500 finals, only to watch fellow American, Jenny Simpson, take the Gold.

The Men's 1500 is the penultimate distance event in Zurich at 3:10pm, with Olympic and World Championship Gold Medalist, Asbel Kiprop, leading the way. His countryman and Daegu Silver Medalist, Silas Kiplagat, will look for revenge in front of the sold out (in advance) Zurich crowd. Another exciting entry will be 800 meter Silver Medalist, Abubaker Kaki. Kaki ran an excellent 3:31 earlier in the season and has mentioned doubling in the 800 and 1500 in London. This will be a great field to test himself against. Finally, there are two Americans in the field, but both are pacemakers. Old reliable, David Krummenacker, will be there along with 800 meter national champ, Nick Symmonds. It will be interesting to see how Symmonds handles pacing a 3:30-ish race (and how long he goes. My guess 1000 meters max).

The last distance event of the day is the Men's Steeplechase, which goes off at 3:35pm. Will Daegu dancing star (and Gold Medalist), Ezekiel Kemboi, be there? Yes, indeed. Paul Koech, who was left off Kenya's Daegu roster, will be there to challenge. The field is a little down beyond that, as Brimin Kipruto and the two frenchies (Tahri and Mekhissi-Benabbad) won't be there. American Ben Bruce will have his hands full and will look to improve on his breakthrough 8:19.10 personal best (that he set earlier this year).

There will be plenty of excellent sprint and field events going on as well as Zurich always gets the best talent. Watch live on UniversalSports.com or later on Universal Sports television.

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Diamond Dash: Will Angela Bizzarri's ticket get punched to Daegu on Day 2?

Can Hastings carry Bizzarri's flag?

Angela Bizzarri has been in this position before. This is the second time she's qualified for a worlds team without having hit the A Standard. In 2009, she tried to get the standard, but was out of steam after a strong NCAA season (and a 5000 meter title). This year, her teammate Amy Hastings, has been trying to duck under the 15:14.00 A Standard so that Bizzarri can get in with the B. Hastings has come very close running 15:15 twice and will take one more crack at it in London tomorrow. She'll have the help of another teammate, ageless Jen Rhines, who could be helping as a personal rabbit, as she's already qualified for Daegu in the 10,000. Best of luck to Hastings and Rhines, that's true teamwork! Here's the finishing order from the USA Championships in June.  Also in the field is a re-surging Lauren Fleshman, as well as Boston Marathon runner-up, Desi Davila. Full startlist for the 5000 is here.

Also on Saturday is an American filled Women's 3000 meter Steeplechase. National Champion Emma Coburn leads the Americans with 2010 NCAA champ Bridget Franek and new Nike signee, Lindsay Allen, competing as well. Coburn and Franek will be preparing for Daegu against a strong field.

Former Tar Heel, Erin Donohue, will be leading many Americans in the Women's 1500. Donohue will likely be targeting the 2012 Olympic Standard of 4:06.00 (full 2012 London A & B Standards listed below), as her seasonal best is 4:07.04. The statesiders that will be joining her (and seeking the 2012 A) are Daegu-bound Shannon Rowbury, Treniere Moser and Gabrielle Anderson. Also in the field is the local favorites, Lisa Dobriskey and former FSU star Hannah England (as well as a host of others).

Finally, the Emsley Carr Mile will feature a slew of Americans, with Bernard Lagat, Leo Manzano, Lopez Lomong and Russell Brown competing, as well as former Wisconsin Badgers (and now New Balance runners) Craig Miller and Jack Bolas (from Chapel Hill, NC) setting the pace. They'll have their hands full with local favorite Andy Baddeley, new British star James Shane, Australia's Ryan Gregson, Kenya's Augustine Choge and a host of others giving chase. Here's the link to the full Emsley Carr Mile field.

The event will once again be broadcast on Universal Sports and full meet info can be found here.

Here are the 2012 London Olympic A & B standards:

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Diamond Dash: Rudisha vs. Kaki showdown leads Day 1 at Crystal Palace

Rudisha says hi to Kaki after a World Record

David Rudisha and Abubaker Kaki will be bringing a World Championship feel to the Aviva London Grand Prix tomorrow with an epic showdown in the 800 meters. I personally can't remember the last time Rudisha was beaten. Maybe it was the last World Championships when he didn't make it out of the rounds, but I'm not 100% sure. The way I see the race unfolding is Rudisha's personal rabbit, Sammy Tangui will go out in 49.5 (per usual) and Rudisha will sit and turn it on at 500m. If Kaki can keep it within a second, I'll be impressed. Also in the field is Nick Symmonds. Once again, Symmonds is having a great year and is a true medal threat in Daegu. Tomorrow will be a great chance for him to test his mettle (pun intended). Full 800m startlist is available here.

Other distance events on the docket Friday are the Men's 5000, which includes Americans Ben True and Brandon Bethke (whose Quiksilver deal seems inside the box after Meb Keflezighi's Skecher's signing last week), as well as Brits Andy Vernon and OTC's Chris Thompson. Steve Cram did briefly mention last week that there could be a surprise last minute entrance by Kenenisa Bekele as well, but I wouldn't count on it. Full startlist for the 5000 is here.

In the Women's 800, Molly Beckwith will continue her excellent season against a strong field that includes Daegu favorite, Kenia Sinclair, as well as Brits Jenny Meadows, Marilyn Okoro and OTC's Jemma Simpson. A few strong Russians round out the field, and you never know what's coming from them. Could be 1:56, could be 2:02. Full 800 startlist is here.

Closing out the night is the Mo Farah show, aka the Men's 3000. Farah has been unstoppable this year and this should be an excellent showcase for him, being the final event of the night. Farah will have "Steady Eddie" David  Krummenacker pacing the field of Irleand's Allistair Cragg, Australia's Collis Birmingham, Ben St. Lawrence and Craig "Buster" Mottram, as well as Kenyans Mark Kiptoo and Sammy Mutahi. I don't know what the English record for the 3k is, but I would think that Farah could make a run at it, considering his fitness. Full startlist for the 3000 is here.

I'll preview Day 2 tomorrow. Full meet information is here and the event will be broadcast on Universal Sports.

Update: Here's video of Mo Farah's big win in the 3000 that wasn't aired during the television window:



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Diamond Dash: Third time's a charm for Shalane Flanagan at DN Galan?

Dominating at USA XC Champs (TrackAndFieldPhoto)

Shalane Flanagan has made two great runs at the American 5000m Record this season. The first was at "Distance Night in Eugene," running 14:49.68 and the second was a strong 14:45.20 in Paris. Will the third time be the charm for Flanagan in Stockholm? If she can continue taking 4 seconds off per race, she'll be well under Molly Huddle's record of 14:44.76. Flanagan flew under the radar last week running within 1 second of her PR in the 1500 at Monaco in 4:06.63, insinuating she will be ready to go for something in the 14:41 area come Friday afternoon. She'll have another excellent field to pull her along with one potential American threat (Jenny Simpson), OTC's Sally Kipyego, Vivian Cheruiyot, Mercy Cherono, Violet Kibiwot and many other capable of running in the 14:40's (as well as the recovering Lauren Fleshman). Full startlist is here.

Another exciting race in Stockholm is the Men's 400. While I usually stick to covering the 800 and up, I can't wait to see what LaShawn Merritt has in him in the 400. It's obvious at this point that I'm a Tar Heel homer, but I went to ECU for grad school, which is where Merritt ran for one year, so I've always cheered for him. Now I am no fan of drugs in Track & Field, but Merritt's case is a little odd. I'd like to give him the benefit of the doubt. I hope he lives up to it and has been training hard, as he could help the US medal count in Daegu in two places (400 and 4x400). From the looks of the startlist, he could potentially be in a "B" heat. If not, he'll have his hands full with Jeremy Wariner, Chris Brown, Jonathan Borlee, Angelo Taylor, Tabarie Henry and Renny Quow.

Other races to watch are the Women's 800 (Uceny, Schmidt, Beckwith, Montano, Semenya), the Men's 1500 (Brown, Brannen, Leer, Manzano, Wheating, Torrence, Willis, Kiplagat, Kiprop, Riseley, Gregson) and of course the finale, the Men's 200, featuring (a recently slower) Usain Bolt.

Full meet info is located here. The event will be broadcast live on UniversalSports.com and later on Universal Sports (with the US team).

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Diamond Dash: Can Morgan Uceny stay undefeated in Monaco?

First the US, now the World! (TrackAndFieldPhoto)

Morgan Uceny, so hot right now. As if her undefeated Diamond League Eurotrip couldn't get any better, Uceny goes and drops a 1:58.37 and pulls four other Americans under 2:00 in a fast 800 in Lignano, Italy on Tuesday. She'll have her hands full once again this Friday, as she attempts to clinch the Diamond League 1500 meter title against the world's best, including Jenny Simpson, Gelete Burka, Maryam Jamal and more. If she looks anything like she has lately, she'd be a worth bet over at Paddy Power (Irish betting site that sometimes has Track).

Along with the strong Women's 1500m and the recently previewed Men's 5000, there will be a strong to quite strong Men's 1500 as well. A year ago in Monaco, Andrew Wheating went legend, dropping an outstanding 3:30.90. He'll be back this year with his former college teammate and US Champion, Matt Centrowitz, Olympic Silver Medalist Nick Willis, Olympic Bronze Medalist Mehdi Baala, 800m stud Abubaker Kaki, Ethiopia's Deresse Mekonnen, Aussies Ryan Gregson and Jeff Riseley and Kenyans Augustine Choge and the new sultan of swag, finger wagging Silas Kiplagat. You heard it here, someone's going under 3:29. Full 1500 start list is here.

The event will be broadcast on Universal Sports. Full meet info is here.

Here's the start list for the Women's 1500:

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Diamond Dash: Can Mo Farah lead Galen Rupp under 13 minutes in Birmingham?

Farah leads at Pre (TrackAndField Photo)

Today will be a homecoming of sorts for England's Mo Farah. Before coming to the United States to train with Alberto Salazar and the Oregon Project, Farah was based out of London, and will certainly have a big cheering section for him as he seeks to possibly lower his British Record of 12:57.94. The Birmingham crowd should have a lot to cheer about as Farah's season has been excellent so far, most recently decimating the European and British 10,000 records with a statement win at the Prefontaine Classic in 26:46.47.

He'll likely be leading his teammate, Galen Rupp, around the track with hopes of getting Rupp under the heralded 13:00 barrier. Rupp's best last season was a 13:07.35. Their coach, Alberto Salazar, says that Rupp is as fit as Farah, so we'll see today how true that statement really is. Here's a link to the full 5000 field.

Also of note, this afternoon will be Christin Wurth-Thomas' return to action after a devastating fourth place finish at USA's. She'll contend in an excellent women's 1500 with new American star Morgan Uceny (fresh off a big win at Paris).

The event will be broadcast online and on television by Universal Sports. Full start lists are available here

Update: Farah wins a tactical race in 13:06.14 with Rupp a close second in a PR of 13:06.86. Rupp kicked down Imane Merga in the homestretch and went 59, 54 on his last 2 laps (and around 4:00 for the last 1600). Also, Morgan Uceny continued her winning streak with a strong kick to win the women's 1500.

Official Men's 5000 Results:

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Diamond Dash: Asbel Kiprop leads an Olympic quality 1500m field in Paris

Kiprop #1 (courtesy TrackAndFieldPhoto)

There's a chance all three medal winners from the Beijing Olympics Men's 1500m final could be competing Friday at Meeting Areva (Diamond League Paris). Gold Medal winner, Asbel Kiprop, leads the field that includes Silver Medalist, Nick Willis, and possibly Bronze Medalist and local Frenchman, Mehdi Baala (as Willis mentioned in an article this week that Baala is "expected to race"), although he doesn't appear on the provisional entry list.

The field is stacked with top Americans as well, as Bernard Lagat, Andrew Wheating, Leo Manzano and Matt Centrowitz will be ready to face the star-studded field with podium finishes and World Championships A-standards on the line. Paris was special to America in 2007 as Alan Webb outkicked Baala to hit the tape first in an outstanding 3:30.54.

Also on the bill is Mr. Bolt in the 200m against white lightning, Frenchman Christophe Lemaitre, as well as a showdown in the 110m Hurdles of Cuba's Dayron Robles and David Oliver. It will be great to see those two and Liu Xiang in the same race in Daegu.

Finally, keep an eye on the women's 5000m as Amy Hastings will be going after the A-standard and Shalane Flanagan may be taking a crack at regaining her American Record, coming off a strong 30:59 10,000 at USATF Nationals.

Universal Sports will be broadcasting the event on television and online.

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Diamond Dash: Paris and Birmingham Previews coming soon!

With a short work week and a full workload at my day job, I'm a little slow with previews for the two Diamond League meets this weekend. Expect previews for Paris and Birmingham in the next day or two!

In the meantime, checkout the websites for:

-Meeting Areva (Paris)

-Aviva Birmingham Grand Prix

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Diamond Dash: David Rudisha returns to Diamond League action in Lausanne

800 meter World Record holder David Rudisha will return to action tomorrow in Lausanne, Switzerland; not quite a week after running a world leading opener of 1:43.46 in France (last Friday). Expect Rudisha to have some competition from an excellent field, comprised of Amine Laalou, Marcin Lewandowski, Mbulaeni Mulaudzi and Kenyans Asbel Kiprop and Alfred Kirwa Yego.

On the American front, most will be skipping to cross pond flight, coming off the USATF Championships this past weekend, but one entry of note is women's 1500m winner Morgan Uceny. Uceny already has the A-standard, but will get more practice at running in a championship field and will likely be looking to crack the 4:00 barrier for the first time. Here's the field she'll be up against.

The event will be broadcast on Universal Sports and here are the official start lists.

And just for fun, here's a video of Rudisha's amazing 1:41.08 World Record set last year:



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Diamond Dash: Can Lukas Verzbicas go sub 4:00 at the Jim Ryun Dream Mile?

Photo courtesy of TrackAndFieldPhoto

After breaking the high school 2-mile record by nearly five seconds at the Prefontaine Classic this past weekend, Lukas Verzbicas has another big goal in mind for this weekend: to become the 5th American high schooler to break 4:00 in the mile.

Despite being a Diamond League meet, one of the biggest storylines this coming Saturday at the Adidas Grand Prix in New York City will be Verzbicas' assault on 4:00 during the Jim Ryan Dream Mile within the meet. Lukas has broken 4:00 on 2 different occasions already, but both were on the slightly downhill St. Charles Foot Mechanics Main Street Mile; a road race, not a track event.

Verzbicas will have plenty of competition to push him towards the hallowed mark as Trabuco Hills, CA's Jantzen Oshier just ran a 4:00.87 1600m (9 meters short of a mile) at the California State Championship last weekend. Also in the race will be Elias Gedyon (3:45 1500m) as well as the Rosa brothers, Ammar Moussa, Edward Cheserek, Billy Orman and a host of other high schoolers that have run 4:10 and under this year.

The meet will be shown on NBC starting at 4pm eastern with possible highlights from the Dream Mile "or the full race depending how good the race is" per Flotrack's Ryan Fenton (The race will be archived on Flotrack as it goes off at 2:40pm). I, for one, think he's got it!

Update: Lukas does it! Becomes 5th American High Schooler to go sub 4 with a 3:59.71. Full results here. Full race video here and here's his post-race Flotrack interview.

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Diamond Dash: It's official, Chris Solinsky enters Prefontaine 10k field!

Photo courtesy TrackAndFieldPhoto

Rumors were abound yesterday that Chris Solinsky may be "pulling a Galen Rupp" and switching from the 2-Mile on Saturday to the stacked mens 10k Friday night. Well, this morning those rumors were confirmed as Flotrack reported that Solinsky has officially entered the 10k on "Distance Night in Eugene" tomorrow. He is citing the Olympic final like field as Rupp did and surely is thinking in the back of his head that after 25 laps he'd like to still have the American Record (whether it is lowered or not).

The biggest winners here are the fans, as we'll be treated to 2 great days of racing and what the Oregon Track Club's June newsletter is calling the "best field ever" for a Prefontaine Classic.

For all those in Eugene, the event is free to the public and will be broadcast live on http://NikeTF.com

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Diamond Dash: Galen Rupp sneak attack on American 10k record Friday night?

Courtesy of TrackAndFieldPhoto

Late last night (4am EST), Ron Bellamy of The Register-Guard reported that Galen Rupp has switched from the 2-mile at the Prefontaine Classic on Saturday to the star studded Mens 10k on Friday night, which is being dubbed “Distance Night in Eugene.”

Is this a last minute sneak attack attempt on the American 10k Record that Chris Solinsky set in an astonishing 26:59 at the Payton Jordan Cardinal Invitational in 2010? I don't know, but Friday night just got a whole lot more exciting. This weekend's Prefontaine Classic looks to be the best in years and I for one can't wait to see the drama unfold live.

The event is free to the public and will be streamed live (for free) on http://NikeTF.com (aka Runnerspace)

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Diamond Dash: KD comes back in Rome

Photo courtesy TrackAndFieldPhoto.net

The mens 800 meter final at the 2008 Olympic Trials was probably the most exciting race I have seen in my life. Nick Symmonds of the Oregon Track Club (and D3 Willamette) stormed home in the last 150 for the win and Andrew Wheating, in the Oregon Duck uniform, finished very strong for second in front of the home crowd. The third and final Olympic spot was a duel between 8-time USA Champion Khadevis "KD" Robinson and former NCAA Indoor Mile Champ and Oregon Track Club athlete Christian Smith. At first glance it looked like KD had held off the diving Smith for the win, but when the Hayward Field Jumbotron showed the slow motion replay, the Oregon crowd went wild to realize that there was an Oregon-based sweep in the event.

KD went on to give a very classy interview with FloTrack and then went on to win the 2009 USA Indoor 800 and was runner up that year in outdoor before 2010 happened. 2010 seemed to be the beginning of the end for KD's long and fruitful career. He wasn't racing against Rudisha during his world record setting season, he was rabbiting him. This continued all season and it looked like KD would be relegated to this for the last year or two of his career. Nothing to be somber about, but still a somewhat sad decline to a great career.

On January 19, 2011 things changed. This was the day KD was hired to coach UNLV's middle, long distance and cross country team. With a steady paycheck and adequate facilities to train on, 2011 looks to be a renaissance for the 34 year old multiple time US Champ. His season started in Jamaica with a 1:46.25 win, followed by a 1:46.01 win of his heat at USATF High Performance meet at Occidental College. But none would compare to his win at the well attended (47,000+) Samsung Diamond League Golden Gala in Rome yesterday.

KD took a page out of Symmonds book and raced the first 500 meters in dead last before absolutely blowing away the field in the final 300 and flat out leaving everyone in their tracks in the last 100 to cross the line in first. It was great to see the legend rip an excellent field that included Olympic 1500 gold medalist Asbel Kiprop and 2007 World Champ Alfred Yego. Hopefully it is just a sign of what is to come from KD for the rest of this year. Well done Mr. Robinson.

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Diamond Dash: Americans take to Rome plus Usain Bolt returns

Photo TrackAndFieldPhoto

Many Americans will head to Rome, Italy tomorrow for the third Diamond League event of the season; the Samsung DL Golden Gala. This also marks the return of Usain Bolt to battle Asafa Powell and a strong field that includes the first white male under 10 seconds, Christophe Lemaitre, but doesn't include Tyson Gay.

On the distance side, Sara Hall will make her Diamond League debut in the steeple (with 2010 NCAA champ Bridget Franek) as she continues to make a strong push towards the new event that could lead to her best shot at an Olympic berth for London 2012. The always tough Christin Wurth-Thomas will take aim at an A-standard in the 1500 as well. On the mens side, Khadevis Robinson and Duane Solomon will take on a strong field (minus the injured David Rudisha and Abubaker Kaki) in the 800. Noticeably absent are any American men in the 5000 as many got the A-standard earlier in Melbourne, Australia.

The event will be live on Universal Sports at 2pm eastern time Thursday night (May 26) and also will be replayed Friday and many times this weekend. Universal Sports also has an awesome web package where you can get live and repeat views of all 14 Diamond League meets for $24.99.

Here are the Americans in the field:

• Monzavous Edwards (100)
• J-Mee Samuels (100)
• Shawn Crawford (200)
• David Neville (400)
• Greg Nixon (400)
• Jamaal Torrance (400)
• Khadevis Robinson (800)
• Duane Solomon (800)
• Kerron Clement (400h)
• Johnny Dutch (400h)
• Justin Gaymon (400h)
• Angelo Taylor (400h)
• Derek Miles (Pole Vault)
• Christian Cantwell (Shot)
• Reese Hoffa (Shot)
• Cory Martin (Shot)
• Adam Nelson (Shot)
• Ryan Whiting (Shot)
• Allyson Felix (200)
• Bianca Knight (200)
• LaShauntea Moore (200)
• Consuella Moore (200)
• Sanya Richards-Ross (200)
• ChaRonda Williams (200)
• Debbie Dunn (400)
• Allyson Felix (400)
• Francena McCorory (400)
• Sanya Richards-Ross (400)
• Christin Wurth-Thomas (1500)
• Bridget Franek  (Steeple)
• Sara Hall  (Steeple)
• Danielle Carruthers (100h)
• Ginnie Crawford (100h)
• Dawn Harper (100h)
• LoLo Jones (100h)
• Kellie Wells (100h)
• Funmi Jimoh (Long Jump)
• Brittney Reese (Long Jump)
• Becky Breisch (Discus)
• Aretha Thurmond (Discus)
• Kara Patterson (Javelin)

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