Prefontaine Classic Bringing the Best to the West
Those of us living in Tracktown, USA (Eugene, OR) are lucky enough to get the opportunity several times a year to witness world class athletes run around Hayward Field. Friday and Saturday was another opportunity for that with the Prefontaine Classic in town.
About the meet:
The Prefontaine Classic is the premiere track & field meet in the United States, and the only stop in North America on the prestigious World Athletics Tour. Since 2000, it has been ranked first among all annual track & field meets outside of Europe by the IAAF, the international governing body for the sport.
Athletes must be ranked in the Top 50 in the world in their events to be eligible to compete in this elite track & field showcase.
The meet is named for the legendary Steve Prefontaine, America’s greatest distance runner at the time of his death in 1975 at age 24. Source
Friday night's events (30K, 10K, 5K) were FREE so the manfriend and I headed over to Hayward for the women's 5,000m and the men's 10,000m. The Prefontaine Classic brings athletes (and spectators) in from around the world (Kenya, Ethiopia, Canada, Australia, Jamaica, etc.) Just typing that gets me excited for the Olympic Trials in 2012, which will also be held at Hayward, as they were in 2008.
Kara Goucher was even in town. I always love how she wears her own little bling - sparkly headband, necklace, etc.
Shalane Flanagan tucked into the pack in green - finished 5th.
Goucher finished in 9th place, about :38 behind the winner, Vivian Jepkemoi Cheruiyot of Kenya.
Winning time - 14:33.96 (a speedy 4:41 pace)
It was neat to watch the sky change as the night went on. The men's 10K took off like a flash. I swear they looked like they were running a 1,500 because they started so fast.
Mohammed "Mo" Farah of Great Britain ran away with the 10K in 26:46.57, breaking the European record.
For some legit photos of these events, check out the women's 5K and men's 10K at Track Focus.
After all that running, a post race beer and peanuts were enjoyed from one of our local establishments, Max's Tavern. It's said to be the inspiration for the bar on The Simpson's.
Well, I don't know about you, but summer definitely arrived in full force this weekend in Oregon. I even have a sunburn to prove it. SPF season is here. Time to hit the hay for another busy week ahead!
About the meet:
The Prefontaine Classic is the premiere track & field meet in the United States, and the only stop in North America on the prestigious World Athletics Tour. Since 2000, it has been ranked first among all annual track & field meets outside of Europe by the IAAF, the international governing body for the sport.
Athletes must be ranked in the Top 50 in the world in their events to be eligible to compete in this elite track & field showcase.
The meet is named for the legendary Steve Prefontaine, America’s greatest distance runner at the time of his death in 1975 at age 24. Source
Friday night's events (30K, 10K, 5K) were FREE so the manfriend and I headed over to Hayward for the women's 5,000m and the men's 10,000m. The Prefontaine Classic brings athletes (and spectators) in from around the world (Kenya, Ethiopia, Canada, Australia, Jamaica, etc.) Just typing that gets me excited for the Olympic Trials in 2012, which will also be held at Hayward, as they were in 2008.
Kara Goucher was even in town. I always love how she wears her own little bling - sparkly headband, necklace, etc.
Shalane Flanagan tucked into the pack in green - finished 5th.
Goucher finished in 9th place, about :38 behind the winner, Vivian Jepkemoi Cheruiyot of Kenya.
Winning time - 14:33.96 (a speedy 4:41 pace)
It was neat to watch the sky change as the night went on. The men's 10K took off like a flash. I swear they looked like they were running a 1,500 because they started so fast.
Mohammed "Mo" Farah of Great Britain ran away with the 10K in 26:46.57, breaking the European record.
For some legit photos of these events, check out the women's 5K and men's 10K at Track Focus.
After all that running, a post race beer and peanuts were enjoyed from one of our local establishments, Max's Tavern. It's said to be the inspiration for the bar on The Simpson's.
Well, I don't know about you, but summer definitely arrived in full force this weekend in Oregon. I even have a sunburn to prove it. SPF season is here. Time to hit the hay for another busy week ahead!
Comments
I got burned this weekend too :( But yay for nice weather!