Posted: June 4, 2006

Athletics: Defar breaks WR; Gatlin shines again at Reebok Grand Prix

NEW YORK - Although sprinters are known for relishing hot and dry conditions, the cool and wet conditions Saturday at the Reebok Grand Prix did nothing to dampen the excitement of the meet's shortest races. And it seemed to do plenty to make a sprinter out of Meseret Defar in the women's 5,000 meters.

The Olympic gold medalist from Ethiopia, Defar was off world record pace throughout her race at Icahn Stadium in the final event of the meet. But the diminutive Defar unleashed a sprinter's speed in the final 400 meters, closing in 61 seconds to run 14:24.53, breaking the record of 12:24.68 held by Elvan Abeylegesse since 2004.

More magic from Gatlin

Olympic gold medalist, world champion and co-world record holder Justin Gatlin was brilliant once again in the Reebok men's 100 meters. Undeterred by the sprinter-unfriendly conditions, the Brooklyn native looked powerful and controlled in burying the field. Gatlin ran a very swift 9.87 seconds into a 0.1 mps headwind, posting the fastest time ever run by an American on U.S. soil. Tyson Gay was a distant second in 10.04 seconds, with 2006 world indoor gold medalist Leonard Scott third in 10.07.

Running just her third race in nearly a year, Marion Jones defeated a very strong field in the Reebok women's 100 meters. She was in control of the race by 50 meters, finishing in 11.06 into a headwind of 0.5mps. World outdoor silver medalist Veronica Campbell of Jamaica was second in 11.11, with 2003 world outdoor champ Torri Edwards third in 11.23. Recovering from illness, world champion Lauryn Williams was fifth in 11.44, behind Sherri-Ann Brooks' fourth-place 11.34.

Wallace Spearmon stayed perfect in the Visa Championship Series, winning for the third week in the men's 200 in 20.09 (+0.4 mps), the third-fastest time in the world this year. Jamaica's Usain Bolt held an early lead but was overtaken by Spearmon in the final 150 meters, placing second in 20.25. Stepping down in distance, 400m runner Tyree Washington was third in 20.32.

Men's distance races feature speed, depth

A U.S. all-comers record fell Saturday, as Abraham Chebii of Kenya ran 13:04.55 in the men's 5,000 meters to break Said Aouita's all-comers mark of 13:05.59, set at the 1984 Olympic Games. Kenya swept the top four places, with Micah Kogo second in 13:06.18, Benjamin Limo third in 13:07.14 and Jonas Cheruiyot fourth in 13:08.58.

Rashid Ramzi of Bahrain won a brisk men's mile, running 3:53.55 to prevail over Nick Willis of New Zealand (3:55.56) and Anthony Famiglietti (3:55.51) as an astonishing 10 men dipped under 4 minutes.

Christian Cantwell posted his second Visa Championship Series win in as many weeks in the men's shot put with a throw of 21.58m/71-1.5. Dan Taylor was second with a personal-best throw of 21.59m/70-10, and 2006 world indoor gold medalist Reese Hoffa was third at 21.05m/69-0.5.

Australia's Sarah Jamieson won her second Visa Championship Series event, taking the Mount Sinai Hospital Women's 1,500 meters easily in 4:04.57. The 2004 Olympic Trials champion, Carrie Tollefson placed second, just missing her personal best with 4:06.50. USA 10,000-meter runner-up Blake Russell dropped down in distance, smashing her personal best with a third-place time of 4:06.71.

More sprints

The one-lap races saw convincing victories, with Olympic 4x400m relay gold medalist Monique Henderson taking the women's race in 50.51 seconds, well up on Mary Danner in second (51.41). In the Visa men's 400 meters, 2005 Visa Champion Kerron Clement held off the final-stretch charge of world outdoor silver medalist Andrew Rock, posting a time of 44.71 to Rock's 44.82.

In other events, Danny McFarlane pleased the Jamaican fans on hand with his win in the 400-meter hurdles, running 49.27, while Damu Cherry held a strong lead from the gun and easily won the women's 100m hurdles in 12.70 seconds (-0.4 mps). USA Outdoor champion Khadevis Robinson won the American Track & Field men's 800m in 1:45.66, and 2004 Olympian LaShaunte'a Moore won the women's 200 in 22.89 (-1.2mps).

Visa Championship Series standings

Entering the AT&T USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Indianapolis June 21-26, Gatlin leads the men's standings with the 1263 points he scored with Saturday's victory, while Michelle Perry retains the women's lead with 1194.

The remainder of the men's standings remain unchanged, while the women's standings saw a significant re-ordering. With their wins, Damu Cherry moved into second, one point behind Perry with 1193; Marion Jones was close behind with 1189; and Monique Henderson moved into fourth with 1184, bumping 2005 Visa Champion Sanya Richards to fifth with 1183 points.

The winner of the men's and women's Visa Championship Series each will win $100,000. To score points, athletes must win their event during Visa Championship Series meets. To be eligible for the cash bonuses, athletes also must win their events at the AT&T USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships.

Visa Championship Series men's standings: 1) Justin Gatlin, 1263; 2) Christian Cantwell, 1251; 3) Wallace Spearmon and Bershawn Jackson, 1211; 5) Bernard Lagat, 1203.

Visa Championship Series women's standings: 1) Michelle Perry, 1194; 2) Damu Cherry 1193; 3) Marion Jones, 1189; 4) Monique Henderson, 1184; 5) Sanya Richards, 1183.

For complete Visa Championship Series standings and rules, visit www.visachampionshipseries.com.

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