by Roy Conrad
The New Balance GP wound up with a pair of fine 3000s, one won by Jenny Simpson and the other by new pro Edward Cheserek, who doubled-back as he often did for Oregon the past 4 years from his sub-3:50 mile less than 24 hours before (see p. 20).
Simpson— who races once per indoor season —made the most of past appearances at this meet (2M AR in ’15, anchor on a WR distance medley last year) and was determined to do so again in a matchup with fellow Colorado alum Emma Coburn.
In the clash of outdoor Worlds gold medalists, Simpson bided her time as pacemaker Sarah Brown took a 5-woman group past 1600 in 4:37.59. Two laps later Coburn took over in front but allowed the tempo to drop to mid-36ish circuits.
With just under 2 laps left miler Simpson dropped a 32.81 penultimate circuit and all followers save 19-year-old Ethiopian Fotyen Tesfay, running her first indoor race. The two ran even at the bell before Simpson unleashed a 29.86 last lap with crisp strides that belied her lack of specific preparation.
That was it, 8:40.31– 8:41.08 for a 6m margin, as Briton Steph Twell (8:41.94) raced past Coburn (8:43.57) for 3rd.
”I’m pleasantly surprised with how well I felt at the end and kind of a little bit wish I knew what I was in shape to really do if I really pushed and tried to see every second that was there,” said Simpson, who moved to No. 5 on the all-time U.S. list, “but today was just really about trying to win.”
Basking in the glow of his epic 3:49.44 the night before, Cheserek came in “to just enjoy the ride with these guys.” He told himself, “I’m just going to go with the leaders. Whatever happens, happens.”
What happened was Ches dropping a hammer from 3 laps out to demolish world leader and Rio 5000 bronze medalist Hagos Gebrhiwet, 7:38.74–7:41.79. The field needed 2700m to roll up Spaniard Adel Mechaal’s attempt at a steal, but Cheserek sped closing laps of 29.45, 29.95 and 27.52 for his win; last 400 in 57.47, last 800 in 1:57.11.
Donovan Brazier came into the 800 looking to win against Boris Berian in the ’16 world champion’s first race in 16 months. Instead Brazier earned a sparkling 1:45.11 PR that moved him to No. 2 on the all-time U.S. list.
Brazier followed the rabbit, reached halfway in 50.86 and sped a 26.95 last lap showing fabulous form, just 0.11 behind Johnny Gray’s AR from ’92.
Said Brazier, “The thing was just really about racing at this meeting. So the time was a first but when you’re in a race with Boris, he’s a really competitive guy so a win’s going to come with a fast time.”
Berian (1:50.17 for 7th) struggled late but admitted he has a way to go in steering back from a long Achilles layoff.
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Roxbury Crossing, Massachusetts; February 10 (200m banked)— 60: 1. Christian Coleman (US) 6.46; 2. Zhenye Xie (Chn) 6.54; 3. Noah Lyles (US) 6.57 PR; 4. Abdullah Abkar Mohammed (Sau) 6.63. 300: 1. Jereem Richards (Tri) 32.10 PR (WL) (7, 7 W); 2. Bralon Taplin (Grn) 32.50; 3. Vernon Norwood (US) 33.05;… dnf—Rennie Quow (Tri). 400: 1. Deon Lendore (Tri) 46.25; 2. Steven Gayle (Jam) 47.43; 3. Machel Cedenio (Tri) 47.86;… fs—Josephus Lyles (US). 800: 1. Donavan Brazier (US) 1:45.11 PR (AL) (2, 3 A); 2. Marc Reuther (Ger) 1:46.78; 3. Edward Kemboi (Ken) 1:47.96. 1500: 1. Chris O’Hare (GB) 3:37.03 PR; 2. Jake Wightman (GB) 3:37.43 PR; 3. Garrett Heath (US) 3:41.03; 4. Andy Bayer (US) 3:43.08 PR. 3000: 1. Edward Cheserek (Ken) 7:38.74 PR; 2. Hagos Gebrhiwet (Eth) 7:41.79; 3. Dejen Gebremeskel (Eth) 7:42.78; 4. Adel Mechaal (Spa) 7:44.31. TJ: 1. Chris Carter (US) 54-8¼ (16.67); 2. Troy Doris (Guy) 54-1¼ (16.49) NR; 3. Leevan Sands (Bah) 51-9¼ (15.78). Women: 800: 1. Jenna Westaway (Can) 2:01.22 PR (1:29.99); 2. Raevyn Rogers (US) 2:01.73; 3. Charlene Lipsey (US) 2:02.05; 4. Lynsey Sharp (GB) 2:02.20. 1500: 1. Dawit Seyaum (Eth) 4:04.38; 2. Aisha Praught Leer (Jam) 4:04.95 NR; 3. Gudaf Tsegay (Eth) 4:05.91; 4. Dominique Scott Efurd (SA) 4:07.25 NR; 5. Sarah McDonald (GB) 4:07.62 PR; 6. Cory McGee (US) 4:08.84 PR (AL). 3000: 1. Jenny Simpson (US) 8:40.31 PR (5, 6 A); 2. Fotyen Tesfay (Eth) 8:41.08 PR; 3. Steph Twell (GB) 8:41.94 PR; 4. Emma Coburn (US) 8:43.57. 60H: 1. Sharika Nelvis (US) 7.89 (7.881); 2. Christina Manning (US) 7.89 (7.888); 3. Jasmin Stowers (US) 7.98; 4. Queen Harrison (US) 8.00. HJ: 1. Erika Kinsey (Swe) 6-3¼ (1.91); 2. Doreen Amata (Ngr) 6-2 (1.88); 3. Alyx Treasure (Can) 6-2; 4. Priscilla Frederick (Ant) 6-¾ (1.85). |
