Bigger crowd on hand for start of main program at 2024 Prefontaine Classic

When you’re trying to break a world record, it certainly helps to have the 10,000m world champion serving as a de facto rabbit for 8800 meters…

Not a bad start to the 2024 Pre Classic:
Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet runs a 10,000m world record of 28:54.14 to become the first woman ever under 29:00 on the track.

Crowd made some good noise and gave her a standing ovation for the entire last lap.

Four women hit halfway in the women's 10k at Pre in 14:31 -- Gudaf Tsegay, Beatrice Chebet, Margaret Kipkemboi, and Lilian Rengeruk.

Basically right on pace for the 29:01 world record.

First Hayward Field crowd shot of 2024.

Kenyan women’s 10,000m Olympic trials about to begin. Prefontaine Classic main program begins in two hours.

Pre Classic Wavelight paces can be found here (except for Bowerman Mile, though I'm told they're targeting 1:53 thru 800).

Women's 1500 looks like it could be a fast one for Elle St. Pierre & co...

letsrun.com/forum/flat_rea…

Whet the appetite for tomorrow's mile showdown in Eugene with this superb BBC recap from last year's world final.

(Also, how great would it be if all broadcasters were at this level when covering athletics)

Nice conditions for distance running today in Eugene, but don’t expect fast sprint times in the Prefontaine Classic.

Jakob Ingebrigtsen, opening his 2024 season today in a loaded Bowerman Mile
after an Achilles injury this winter, wants the best runners to race more often.

letsrun.com/news/2024/05/j…

I sat down with Josh Kerr and Jakob Ingebrigtsen ahead of tomorrow’s Bowerman Mile in Eugene.

How is their relationship? Kerr says they don’t have one.

'We're not friends. We don’t hang out, we don’t text. We race each other and that’s our relationship.'
letsrun.com/news/2024/05/j…

Greatest media 400m ever???

51.88-51.89, what a finish.

I sat down with Josh Kerr and Jakob Ingebrigtsen ahead of tomorrow’s Bowerman Mile in Eugene.

How is their relationship? Kerr says they don’t have one.

'We're not friends. We don’t hang out, we don’t text. We race each other and that’s our relationship.'
letsrun.com/news/2024/05/j…

I asked Yared Nuguse for his thoughts on Michael Johnson’s new track league.

He looked confused — he was not aware of such a thing.

“I haven’t heard about it. Sounds interesting though. I’m down to try new things.”

Full interview: youtu.be/aGjtl7zaWrE?si…

Update -- I just bumped into 2023 Worlds silver medalist Daniel Simiu Ebenyo in the meet hotel in Eugene.

It was reported he had visa issues getting to Eugene but he said he arrived yesterday and is feeling good for tomorrow's Kenyan 10,000m Olympic trials.

Track Town USA is ready for track season

It's been decades since the men's 1500 is as compelling as it is right now, and the major players are in Eugene this weekend.

First time Ingebrigtsen has faced Kerr or Wightman since THOSE Worlds finals.

Deep-dive preview on a sensational Bowerman Mile:
letsrun.com/news/2024/05/a…

Florida's Parker Valby took off with about a mile to go in the 10,000m at the NCAA East Regional and won the race in 32:43.91. In pouring rain, she covered the final 1600m in 4:43 to earn the chance to do this again at the NCAA Championships in two weeks.

Made it to Eugene.

Or, as it will be known three months from now: “Big Ten Country”

One change to the Bowerman Mile start list today.

IN: ➡️Cooper Teare
OUT: ⬅️Matthew Centrowitz

letsrun.com/forum/flat_rea…

Erriyon Knighton was announced as part of the Pre Classic men’s 200m field on May 2, but he’s not on the updated start list just released by the meet. Neither is Letsile Tebogo.

Worrying for Knighton given he scratched Atlanta last week and hasn’t raced since March.