Posted: January 29, 2006

Athletics: World leaders, fast times at Reebok Boston Indoor Games

BOSTON - World-leading marks were plentiful, and two world records nearly fell as the 2006 Visa Championship Series kicked off Saturday night at the Reebok Boston Indoor Games.

Held at the Reggie Lewis Track & Athletic Center at Roxbury Community College, the Reebok Boston Indoor Games will be broadcast from 3-4:30 p.m. on Sunday, January 29 on ESPN2.

Men's world leaders in SP, 60, 1,000

Reigning World Indoor silver medalist Reese Hoffa won a typically close men's shot put competition with a best toss of 21.07m/69-1.5, the best throw in the world in 2006. World Indoor champion Christian Cantwell was second with 21.03m/69-0, and World Outdoor gold medalist Adam Nelson was third with 20.99m/68-10.5.

2002 USA indoor champion and two-time Olympic hurdles silver medalist Terrence Trammell took the MBTA men's 60 meters in a world-leading 6.57 seconds, with defending meet champion Jason Smoots second in 6.62 and Marc Burns of Trinidad third in the same time.

David Krummenacker kept up his winning ways in the men's 1,00 meters. Hanging back in the pack through the early laps, the American record holder made a bold move, passing Ethiopia's Berhanu Alemu on the inside with 100 meters to go, winning in a world-leading 2:21.37. Alemu was second in 2:22.00.

Dibaba nearly does it again; Defar threatens 3,000 world mark

In one of the most eagerly anticipated events of the night, Tirunesh Dibaba of Ethiopia threatened her own world record in the women's 5,000 meters. Running most of the race in a solo effort, Dibaba finished in 14:35.46 seconds, a time bested only by her world record 14:32.93, set in 2005 at this meet.

Meseret Defar came even closer to the women's 3,000-meter world record, running 8:30.94 to post the third-fastest time in history, behind only Berhane Adere's WR of 8:29.15 and Defar's own 8:30.05, also run at this meet in 2005

Barber impresses in Visa women's 60

After a breakthrough season in 2005, USA outdoor 100-meter champion Lisa Barber got her 2006 indoor season off to a fast start with a victory in the Visa women's 60 meters. Quick out of the blocks, Barber's powerful first 30 meters gave her a lead that a fast-closing Lauryn Williams, the world outdoor champion in the 100, couldn't quite close. Barber finished in a meet record 7.09 seconds, just .01 second off the 2006 world leader, with Williams second in 7.13. Both women posted personal bests in the race. Angela Daigle-Bowen, the 2005 Indoor Visa Champion, was third in 7.30.

Thriller in men's 600m

The endurance of Olympic Trials 800m champion Jonathan Johnson won out in the Reebok men's 600 meters, when Johnson overtook world champion 400m hurdler Bershawn Jackson in the final step of the race. Johnson won in 1:18.63, with Jackson, the 2005 USA indoor 400m champion, second in 1:18.65 and world outdoor 400m silver medalist Andrew Rock third in 1:19.40

Buster takes the 2

With perhaps the best field ever gathered on U.S. soil, the Reebok men's 2 mile turned into a tactical affair. Utterly disregarding pacemaker Geoffrey Rono, who can the first mile a half-lap ahead of the pack, race favorites cruised around the oval together, awaiting a move and trading leading duties.

With one lap to go, Sileshi Sihene of Ethiopia led the way, with Craig "Buster" Mottram of Australia on his shoulder. The rangy Australian then displayed the kick that brought him the 2005 World Outdoor bronze medal over 5,000 meters, moving past Sihene to win in 8:26.54 seconds. The World Outdoor silver medalist at 5,000 and 10,000 meters, Sihene was second in 8:27.03 with European champ Alistair Cragg of Ireland third in 8:27.39.

11 men go sub-4 in mile

Elkanah Angwenyi of Kenya won the Joe Concannon men's mile going away in 3:55.95, with two-time U.S. indoor champion Jason Lunn second in 3:56.77 and defending Reebok Boston Indoor Games champ Laban Rotich of Kenya third in 3:56.83. Eleven of 12 finishers in the race were under 4:00, including Americans Adam Goucher (5th, 3:57.60), Rob Myers (8th, 3:58.24), Chris Lukezic (10th, 3:58.53), and Ryan Kleimenhagen (11th, 3:59.00).

Howard still soars

World Outdoor silver medalist Chaunte Howard set an indoor personal best in the Metro-Boston women's high jump, clearing 1.95m/6-4.75 on her second attempt. Olympic fourth-place finisher Amy Acuff was second at 1.92m/6-3.5, and Karen Beautle of Jamaica third at 1.82m/5-11.5.

Richards opens with win

2005 Visa Outdoor Champion Sanya Richards led the Reebok women's 400 meters from start to finish, crossing the line in 52.10 seconds. Fellow Athens 4x400m relay gold medalist Monique Henderson was second in 52.63, and Tiandra Ponteen of St. Kitts & Nevis was third in 52.97.

Douma-Hussar takes women's mile

World Indoor silver medalist Carmen Douma-Hussar of Canada won the Reebok women's mile in the final lap, finishing in 4:29.52. U.S. outdoor champion Treniere Clement was second in 4:29.93, with Tiffany McWilliams third in 4:30.03 and U.S. indoor champion Jen Toomey fourth in 4:30.39 as all three Americans set personal bests.

More winners

Olympic 4x400m relay gold medalist Dee Dee Trotter came from behind in the final steps to win the women's 200 meters in 23.62 seconds.

In other action, Michael Coe won the American Track & Field boys' high school mile in 4:07.30, the fastest time by a prepster in 2006, while Nicole Blood won the girls' race in 4:51.30. Peter Hegelbach was the winner of the men's masters mile run in 4:27.58.

For more information on the Visa Championship Series, visit www.visachampionshipseries.com.

Athlete Quotes

DeeDee Trotter, Women's 200 meters

I came here prepared to just execute and if I won in the process that'd be just a bonus. I am training. I think the time I came in at was better than my coach and I expected.

I'm used to indoors. Keep in mind, track & field is still new to me. I'm going into my fifth year.

I ran on this track last year and I'm familiar with it. Indoor track is much more strategic than all-out speed. I'm focusing more on my technique and form in my training.

David Krummenacker, Men's 1,000 meters

The race went out a little fast. I decided to wait and let the inside guys move up. I brought a page out of the "Rich Kenah Book" and made a move on the inside. I try not to do that much. But, the door was open, so I just decided to do it.

It feels real good to start the season with a win. I can't complain. I've had a tendency to do a little too much indoors. But, I'm boosting my endurance.

Men's Shot Put

Reese Hoffa, winner

I knew I could throw 21 meters, I couldn't promise, but I knew. My tech

ique isn't quite there yet.

I usually just throw OK at this meet. This is my first big meet. I kind of got the cob webs out to get ready for Millrose.

I started out at 67 feet and it was a good progression from there.

Being in the middle of the infield is awesome, I love it when they put us right there in the middle. The crowd got me going. It feels like they're right there.

Adam Nelson, 2nd place

I realized that when we did weight-ins that I was throwing an 18-pound shot the last two weeks. My technique was a little off.

I'm in great shape. I'm focusing on indoor nationals and world championships. I'm more concerned about what's going on the next four or five weeks. At the same time, I hate losing.

Me'Lisa Barber, Women's 60 meters

I'm pleased with my time, it was my PR. I'm excited, I wanted to PR this race. I've been training hard and it's what I wanted.

Terrence Trammell, Men's 60 meters

It was a false start. I learned my lesson of not moving from World's. In my mind, it was a false start. I think I might have been thrown out of my rhythm. I'm just grateful it came out as a victory.

I'll do a little more springing this season. Whenever I step onto the track, I try to do my best.

Sanya Richards, Women's 400 meters

I got out good, I was relaxed on the third turn. The pace was really fast. The first 200 was really fast, I wanted to make sure I was relaxed and go out well. Ronnetta (Smith) was coming out really fast, she was right on me at the turn.

I felt I was ready to run. I finished strong which is most important. I felt good, I feel strong. Now I can go out and run relaxed.

Jonathan Johnson, Men's 600 meters

I'm very happy with today. I dipped a little longer in the end. It was great race as far as competition is concerned. Batman (Bershawn Jackson) is a great competitor, but I hate losing, too. I stayed on his (Jackson's) shoulder the whole time. It's a great way to start the new year. I wouldn't take anything different.

Chaunte Howard, Women's High Jump

At first, I was really, really nervous because this is the first meet of the indoor season and my first indoor meet as a professional. I knew my practice and my training were going to get me through.

I love being in the center of the infield. You get the energy from the front and the back. It feels like you're on a stage performing.

Craig Mottram, Men's 2 mile

When you come to these things, you expect to race hard. I got a lot out of it, and I learned that running indoors in America is a lot of fun. You get treated well, and the crowd is amazing.

Daniel Lincoln, Men's 2 Mile RunI just tried to stay relaxed out there because everyone was so bunched up. I was a little too far back, there were a lot of guys ahead of me.It was a toss-up out there. It was a great fast face, everyone is stretching it out there. I'm happy with the way

Tirunesh Dibaba, Women's 5,000 Meter Run

I would have liked to get the record. I think I ran very well today when there were two rounds left and I didn't think I was going to make it. My aim today was to beat the record.

Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest