THE EUROPEAN INVITATIONAL SEASON wrapped up in high style with a quartet of World Indoor Tour gold-level meets in February: Toruń, Poland (8th); Liévin, France (14th); Madrid, Spain (22nd); Birmingham, England (25th).
The Liévin meet featured a men’s 3000 WR and received separate coverage. Highlights of the other 3 meets:
Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay moved to No. 2 on the all-time world women’s lists in both the mile (4:16.16 in Toruń) and 3000 (8:16.69 in Birmingham). She was just 0.09 shy of the WR in the latter, leading her to say, “It was so close. My body is more tired from the traveling, but I am sure that I will get the World Record next time.”
Americans Yared Nuguse and Grant Fisher impressed in the Madrid 1500. Nuguse’s 3:33.69 (x, 3 A) turned back the PRs of the tough Spanish pair of Mohamed Katir (3:34.32) and Adel Mechaal (3:34.82). Fisher was next with his PR 3:34.99, becoming the No. 5 American ever.
Said Nuguse, “I came here to run fast and that’s exactly what I did, so I can’t be upset. I’m just really excited for what outdoors is going to bring. That’s a much longer season than indoors and I’ll need to be consistent throughout the whole season. Hopefully, I’ll do my best at the World Championships.”
The climactic stop in Britain produced a trio of year-leading marks, topped by Tsegay’s 3000. Additionally, Keely Hodgkinson moved to No. 6 on the all-time 800 list with her 1:57.18 and Grant Holloway hurdled to the =No. 8 performance ever, 7.35.
“It was a great race, the stadium record makes it that much better,” said Holloway. “My goal was to come out here, have a little bit of fun, and I did that. The future is bright for me.”
Toruń Winners
Men—400: 1. Carl Bengtström (Swe) 46.15. 800: 1. Andreas Kramer (Swe) 1:46.37. 1500: 1. Azeddine Habz (Fra) 3:35.59 PR. 60H: 1. Daniel Roberts (US) 7.46. HJ: 1. Hamish Kerr (NZ) 7-5¼ (2.27). PV: 1. EJ Obiena (Phi) 19-3 (5.87). LJ: 1. Miltiádis Tentóglou (Gre) 27-6¾ (8.40) (illegal spikes).
Women—60: 1. Mujinga Kambundji (Swi) 7.06. 400: 1. Lieke Klaver (Neth) 51.14.
800: 1. Keely Hodgkinson (GB) 1:57.87 (WL). Mile: 1. Gudaf Tsegay (Eth) 4:16.16 indoor PR (WL) (2, 2 W; in/out: x, 12 W) (3:59.48 WL).
3000: 1. Freweyni Hailu (Eth) 8:46.92 PR. 60H: 1. Pia Skrzyszowska (Pol) 7.79.
Madrid Winners
Men—400: 1. Óscar Husillos (Spa) 45.84. 800: 1. Saul Ordóñez (Spa) 1:46.22.
1500: 1. Yared Nuguse (US) 3:33.69 (x, 3 A);… 4. Fisher 3:34.99 PR (5, 6 A).
3000: 1. Amos Bett (Ken) 7:42.53 PR. 60H: 1. Daniel Roberts (US) 7.39 PR (11, x A). LJ: 1. Tentóglou 26-9 (8.15).
Women—60: 1. Aminatou Seyni (Nig) 7.08 PR. 800: 1. Noélie Yarigo (Ben) 2:01.47. 60H: 1. Reetta Hurske (Fin) 7.79 NR. PV: 1. Alysha Newman (Can) 15-3 (4.65). TJ: 1. Povea (Cub) 48-¾ (14.65). SP: 1. Sarah Mitton (Can) 64-10 (19.76).
Birmingham Winners
Men—60: 1. Charlie Dobson (GB) 6.64. 400: 1. Jereem Richards (Tri) 45.74.
1500: 1. Neil Gourley (GB) 3:32.48 NR (8, x W). 60H: 1. Holloway 7.35 (WL, AL) (x, =8 W, x, =5 A).
HJ: 1. Kerr 7-5¾ (2.28). LJ: 1. Marquis Dendy (US) 27-2 (8.28).
Women—60: 1. Dina Asher-Smith (GB) 7.05 (7.03h NR).
800: 1. Hodgkinson 1:57.18 NR (WL) (6, =10 W).
1000: 1. Laura Muir (GB) 2:34.53.
3000: 1. Tsegay 8:16.69 PR (WL) (2, 2 W).
PV: 1. Newman 15-8¼ (4.78).