FONTVIEILLE, MONACO, August 10 — Now regarded as the greatest women’s 1500 runner ever, Faith Kipyegon has 2 Olympic golds and 2 WC golds, but is lacking a last piece: the World Record. Coming in, the 28-year-old Kenyan’s PR of 3:51.07, set in this meet last year, sat a whole second behind the 3:50.07 that Genzebe Dibaba produced in ’15. Here she went after it hard only to fall just inches short.
American Allie Wilson rabbited through splits of 59.89 and 2:01.64 as the rest of the field stayed so far away from Kipyegon’s pace that there were essentially two races going simultaneously — indeed, each had its own WaveLight.
After Wilson dropped, Adele Tracey tried to lead the next 200 but the record hopeful took over before the 1000, passing in 2:33.4. She hit the bell in 2:49.1 and would need a 60.96 to get the record. A 15.6 curve brought her to 1200 in 3:04.73. She covered the backstretch in 15.3, the final curve in 15.2.
All that remained was the final straight. Eyes on the clock, the Kenyan sprinted with everything she had left as her fans put breathing on hold to watch her. The clock stopped at 3:50.37, the No. 2 time in history, but a miss by 0.30.
“I have been chasing the time for quite some time but I am happy with the personal best,” she said. “It seems I did not give all but I tried hard. I knew this was the best place to get the World Record but I am so disappointed I lost it in the last meters. I hope for the best next time. We will see when. I was definitely ready for it today.”
The other 1500 race — the one behind Kipyegon — turned into an American show. Ethiopia’s Hirut Meshesha led through 700, having passed 400 in 61.4. Before 800 (2:08.0), teammate Axumawit Embaye pulled alongside. At 1200 (3:11.5), Australian Georgia Griffith made her bid, and she stayed in front until Elise Cranny and then Heather MacLean passed her on the straight. The two battled hard down the stretch and both broke 4:00 for the first time: MacLean 3:58.89, and Cranny 3:59.07. They moved to Nos. 8 and 9 on the U.S. all-time list.
The women’s 100 matched the top two from the WC. They lined up with Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in 5 and Shericka Jackson in 3 with an empty lane between after Melissa Jefferson’s late withdrawal.
To some, it looked like possibly the fastest getaway of SAFP’s career. The “Mommy Rocket” boasted a big lead by 20m. Jackson and Ta Lou chased best, but Fraser-Pryce could not be caught. Her 10.62 with a 0.4 wind broke the meet record and lowered her yearly world lead; it was the second-fastest of her life.
Or, if you factor in the standard wind/altitude adjustment it was her fastest ever, at 10.64, trailing only a pair of times by arch-rival Elaine Thompson-Herah last year, 10.57 and 10.60.
Jackson (10.71) and Ta Lou (10.72) were rewarded with PRs in 2nd and 3rd, while Aleia Hobbs tied her best with a 10.81 for 4th. All 7 in the race ran 10.96 or better.
The men’s 1000 had a loaded field that included recent world champions Emmanuel Korir and Jake Wightman. Rabbit Erik Sowinski took it out hard in 51.02, a pace that only Marco Arop bought in on. At 800, Arop was all alone in 1:45.46, but Wightman closed fast over the last 200, catching the Canadian with 30m left. His 2:13.88 made him No. 9 ever. Arop hung on for a Canadian record 2:14.35.
Behind them, a fast-closing pack produced some notable finishes. A foursome of Americans made some big revisions to the U.S. ATL: 3rd was Clayton Murphy in 2:15.73 (No. 2 American all-time), 5th Bryce Hoppel in 2:15.99 (No. 3), 6th Josh Thompson in 2:16.38 (No. 9) and 8th, Hobbs Kessler in 2:16.46 (No. 12).
Kessler, the youngest in the field by 5 years, notched the fastest ever by an American Junior. He moved to No. 3 among World U20 performers all-time.
The 110H kept the crowd humming. Daniel Roberts in 3, Trey Cunningham in 4. Olympic champ Hansle Parchment in 5 and World champ Grant Holloway in 6. Holloway got out best, but Cunningham stayed close until mid-race, when Holloway began to pull away. He powered over the remaining hurdles smoothly to clock 12.99 with a 0.6 breeze. Cunningham (13.03) easily stayed ahead of Parchment (13.08), with Roberts (13.20) never quite finding his rhythm.
A hot-paced men’s 3000 turned out to be the fastest of the year, after rabbits delivered a 2:26.30 pace for the first kilo, Berihu Aregawi took over and kept the pressure on, hitting 1600 in 3:55.3 and 2000 in 4:54.68. At the bell, the Ethiopian still had a 20m lead on Thierry Ndikumwenayo, but the Burundian had much more left. With 100 to go he was on Aregawi’s shoulder and he had plenty of kick, winning 7:25.93 to 7:26.81. His last lap was 57.2 to Aregawi’s 60.7.
American Grant Fisher had run in 6-10th for the first 2K, but kept passing his rivals (including Jacob Krop, who had squeezed Fisher out of a possible medal in the Worlds 5K) all the way to 3rd-place. His time, 7:28.48, brought down the 7:29.00 American Record set by Bernard Lagat in ’10.
Anticipation was high for the men’s 200, and while the only record generated was of the meet variety, the competition earned high marks. Michael Norman got out best in lane 5 and had the lead for much of the turn. Noah Lyles (7) found his stride and went past for what would be the win, the world champion finishing in 19.46 ahead of Erriyon Knighton (19.84), who caught Norman (19.95) in the final strides. Said the victor after posting the No. 9 time ever, “I wanted to go a bit faster but to be honest, I am getting my victory points right now.”
The women’s triple jump provided an unusual sort of suspense, as undefeated Yulimar Rojas opened with three straight fouls and after four rounds was only in 8th at 46-2¾ (14.09). Jamaica’s Shanieka Ricketts, who opened at 48-11 (14.91) sat in the catbird seat as Rojas put forth a solid round 5 effort of 49-3 (15.01) to grab the win. Said Rojas, “The result was not really what I was expecting but I was out of it for a bit.”
Tori Franklin produced a PR 48-9 (14.86) on her final attempt to finish 3rd with the No. 2 mark in U.S. history. Fellow American Keturah Orji took 5th at 47-9¼ (14.56). Franklin’s terrific series also included jumps of 48-2½ (14.69) and 48-4½ (14.74) for the Nos. 6 and 9 U.S. performances ever.
The women’s vault came down to who cleared 15-3½ (4.66) first. World champ Nina Kennedy did it on attempt 1, Sandi Morris on 2, and Ekateríni Stefanídi on 3. Since none made the next height (15-7¼/4.76), that’s the way they placed.
MONACO MEN’S RESULTS
200(0.8): 1. Noah Lyles (US) 19.46 (x, 9 W; x, 3 A); 2. Erriyon Knighton (US) 19.84 (x, =5 WJ, AJ);
3. Michael Norman (US) 19.95; 4. Alexander Ogando (DR) 20.02; 5. Aaron Brown (Can) 20.23; 6. Josephus Lyles (US) 20.26; 7. Joe Fahnbulleh (Lbr) 20.46; 8. Mickael-Méba Zeze (Fra) 20.78.
1000: 1. Jake Wightman (GB) 2:13.88 PR (WL) (9, x W);
2. Marco Arop (Can) 2:14.35 NR (1:45.46);
3. Clayton Murphy (US) 2:15.73 PR (AL) (2, 2 A);
4. Wycliffe Kinyamal (Ken) 2:15.78 PR;
5. Bryce Hoppel (US) 2:15.99 PR (4, 4 A); 6. Josh Thompson (US) 2:16.38 PR (9, 11 A);
7. Luke McCann (Ire) 2:16.40 NR;
8. Hobbs Kessler (US) 2:16.46 AJR (old AJR 2:19.53i Robby Creese [PennSt] ’12) (3, 6 WJ);
9. Ferguson Rotich (Ken) 2:17.00; 10. Tony van Diepen (Neth) 2:17.06 PR; 11. Benjamin Robert (Fra) 2:17.11 PR; 12. Emmanuel Korir (Ken) 2:18.19 PR;… rabbit—Erik Sowinski (US) (51.02).
(best-ever mark-for-place: 10–11)
3000: 1. Thierry Ndikumwenayo (Bur) 7:25.93 NR (WL);
2. Berihu Aregawi (Eth) 7:26.81 PR (4:54.68);
3. Grant Fisher (US) 7:28.48 AR (old AR 7:29.00 Bernard Lagat [Nik] ’10);
4. Nicholas Kipkorir (Ken) 7:31.19 PR; 5. Dominic Lokinyomo Lobalu (SSD) 7:31.54; 6. Jacob Krop (Ken) 7:33.30; 7. Telahun Haile (Eth) 7:38.24 PR; 8. Woody Kincaid (US) 7:38.81 PR; 9. Joe Klecker (US) 7:39.58; 10. Hugo Hay (Fra) 7:41.78 PR; 11. Paul Chelimo (US) 7:42.68; 12. Stewart McSweyn (Aus) 7:43.31; 13. Cornelius Kemboi (Ken) 7:44.73; 14. Daniel Simiyu (Ken) 7:44.81; 15. Bethwel Birgen (Ken) 7:56.82;… rabbit—Mounir Akbache (Fra) (2:26.30).
110H(0.6): 1. Grant Holloway (US) 12.99; 2. Trey Cunningham (US) 13.03; 3. Hansle Parchment (Jam) 13.08; 4. Daniel Roberts (US) 13.20; 5. Sasha Zhoya (Fra) 13.21; 6. Pascal Martinot-Lagarde (Fra) 13.26; 7. Damian Czykier (Pol) 13.46; 8. Just Kwaou-Mathey (Fra) 13.78.
Field Events
HJ(jumpoff): 1. Mutaz Essa Barshim (Qat) 7-6½ (2.30) (won jumpoff); 2. Sang-hyeok Woo (SK) 7-6½; 3. Hamish Kerr (NZ) 7-4½ (2.25); 4. JuVaughn Harrison (US) 7-4½; 5. tie, Andrii Protsenko (Ukr), Shelby McEwen (US) & Django Lovett (Can) 7-2½ (2.20); 8. Gianmarco Tamberi (Ita) 7-2½; 9. Yonathan Kapitolnik (Isr) 7-2½;… nh—Donald Thomas (Bah).
LJ: 1. Maykel D. Massó (Cub) 27-4¾ (8.35) (26-4½, 27-4¾, f, f, p, f) (8.04, 8.35, f, f, p, f); 2. Miltiádis Tentóglou (Gre) 27-3¼ (8.31) (f, 27-1¾, 27-3¼, 27-2¾, 27-2½, 27-2¾) (f, 8.27, 8.31, 8.30, 8.29, 8.30); 3. Marquis Dendy (US) 27-3¼ (8.31) (26-3½, f, 27-3¼, 26-9¾, p, 27-2¾) (8.01, f, 8.31, 8.17, p, 8.30); 4. Tajay Gayle (Jam) 26-5½ (8.06); 5. Thobias Montler (Swe) 26-1½ (7.96); 6. Murali Sreeshankar (Ind) 26-¾ (7.94); 7. Mattia Furlani (Ita) 25-11 (7.90); 8. Erwan Konate (Fra) 25-10 (7.87); 9. Jules Pommery (Fra) 25-8¼ (7.83); 10. Steffin McCarter (US) 25-8 (7.82).
MONACO WOMEN’S RESULTS
100(0.4): 1. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (Jam) 10.62 (WL) (x, =5 W);
2. Shericka Jackson (Jam) 10.71 PR (6, x W); 3. Marie Josée Ta Lou (CI) 10.72 NR (=7, x A; 4. Aleia Hobbs (US) 10.81 =PR (=AL);
5. TeeTee Terry (US) 10.90; 6. Daryll Neita (GB) 10.91; 7. Tamara Clark (US) 10.96.
(best-ever mark-for-place: 3–4, 6)
400: 1. Shaunae Miller-Uibo (Bah) 49.28; 2. Candice McLeod (Jam) 49.87; 3. Sada Williams (Bar) 50.10; 4. Stephenie Ann McPherson (Jam) 50.52; 5. Fiordaliza Cofil (DR) 50.55; 6. Junelle Bromfield (Jam) 50.93; 7. Kaylin Whitney (US) 51.02; 8. Sokhna Lacoste (Fra) 53.21.
Non-DL 800: 1. Natoya Goule (Jam) 1:56.98; 2. Sage Hurta (US) 1:57.85 PR; 3. Olivia Baker (US) 1:58.05 PR; 4. Jemma Reekie (GB) 1:58.68; 5. Abbey Caldwell (Aus) 1:59.31 PR; 6. Halimah Nakaayi (Uga) 2:00.02; 7. Linden Hall (Aus) 2:00.45; 8. Agnes Raharolahy (Fra) 2:02.25;… rabbit—Kendra Chambers (US) (56.19).
1500: 1. Faith Kipyegon (Ken) 3:50.37 NR (WL) (2, 2 W) (3:04.73);
2. Heather MacLean (US) 3:58.89 PR (8, x A); 3. Elise Cranny (US) 3:59.06 PR (9, x A);
4. Hirut Meshesha (Eth) 4:00.51; 5. Cory McGee (US) 4:00.70; 6. Winnie Nanyondo (Uga) 4:00.81; 7. Georgia Griffith (Aus) 4:00.96; 8. Jessica Hull (Aus) 4:01.73; 9. Sinclaire Johnson (US) 4:02.87; 10. Gaia Sabbatini (Ita) 4:04.96; 11. Marta Pérez (Spa) 4:05.60; 12. Aurore Fleury (Fra) 4:10.01;… rabbit—Allie Wilson (US) (59.89, 61.75 [2:01.64]).
St: 1. Werkwuha Getachew (Eth) 9:06.19; 2. Zerfe Wondemagegn (Eth) 9:06.63 PR; 3. Lizzie Bird (GB) 9:07.87 NR;
4. Emma Coburn (US) 9:07.93 (AL) (6:07.87); 5. Jackline Chepkoech (Ken) 9:09.72 PR (4, x WJ); 6. Courtney Wayment (US) 9:09.91 PR;
7. Marwa Bouzayani (Tun) 9:22.22; 8. Amy Cashin (Aus) 9:24.19; 9. Courtney Frerichs (US) 9:32.56; 10. Daisy Jepkemei (Kaz) 9:37.83; 11. Adva Cohen (Isr) 9:42.71;… rabbit—Virginia Nyambura (Ken) (3:04.01).
400H: 1. Rushell Clayton (Jam) 53.33 PR; 2. Janieve Russell (Jam) 53.52; 3. Gianna Woodruff (Pan) 54.13; 4. Viktoriya Tkachuk (Ukr) 54.27; 5. Anna Ryzhykova (Ukr) 54.53; 6. Line Kloster (Nor) 54.62; 7. Ayomide Folorunso (Ita) 55.01.
Field Events
PV: 1. Nina Kennedy (Aus) 15-3½ (4.66) (14-3½, 14-9½ [2], 15-3½, 15-7¼ [xxx]) (4.36, 4.51 [2], 4.66, 4.76 [xxx]); 2. Sandi Morris (US) 15-3½ (14-9½ [2], 15-3½ [2], 15-7¼ [xxx]) (4.51 [2], 4.66 [2], 4.76 [xxx]); 3. Katerína Stefanídi (Gre) 15-3½ (14-9½, 15-3½ [3], 15-7¼ [xxx]) (4.51, 4.66 [3], 4.76 [xxx]); 4. Roberta Bruni (Ita) 14-9½ (4.51); 5. tie, Ninon Chapelle (Fra) & Lene Retzius (Nor) 14-3½ (4.36); 7. tie, Angelica Moser (Swi) & Tina Šutej (Slo) 14-3½.
TJ: 1. Yulimar Rojas (Ven) 49-3 (15.01) (f, f, f, 46-2¾, 49-3, f) (f, f, f, 14.09, 15.01, f); 2. Shanieka Ricketts (Jam) 48-11 (14.91) (48-11, f, p, p, 46-8, f) (14.91, f, p, p, 14.22, f);
3. Tori Franklin (US) 48-9 (14.86) PR (AL) (2, 2 A) (46-4, f, 48-2½ [x, 9 A], 48-4½ [x, 6 A], 47-2½, 48-9) (14.12, f, 14.69, 14.74, 14.39, 14.86);
4. Maryna Bekh-Romanchuk (Ukr) 47-10½ (14.59) PR; 5. Keturah Orji (US) 47-9¼ (14.56); 6. Thea LaFond (Dom) 47-5 (14.45); 7. Leyanis Pérez (Cub) 47-1¾ (14.37); 8. Patrícia Mamona (Por) 46-8¼ (14.23).
JT: 1. Kelsey-Lee Barber (Aus) 211-7 (64.50); 2. Haruka Kitaguchi (Jpn) 204-7 (62.37); 3. Mackenzie Little (Aus) 202-7 (61.76); 4. Kara Winger (US) 199-11 (60.95); 5. Līna Mūze (Lat) 198-7 (60.54); 6. Yulenmis Aguilar (Cub) 198-2 (60.40); 7. Liveta Jasiūnaitė (Lit) 195-1 (59.47); 8. Barbora Špotáková (CzR) 188-11 (57.58); 9. Liz Gleadle (Can) 187-3 (57.08).
