Blog - Track and Field Hunter

Details: Written by Dave Hunter; Category: Event Coverage; Published: 28 September 2019

Last Night in Doha! / Day One 2019 IAAF World Athletics Championships

© Getty Images for IAAF'

Doha, Qatar

September 27^th, 2019

On Day One of the 10-day 2019 IAAF Athletics World Championships, nearly 2000 athletes from 208 countries were poised to compete in the largest ever athletic gathering in this region of the world against the stunning backdrop of Doha, Qatar, a glittering metropolis that is reinventing the concept of 21^st century global capital.

The only final – and the highlight – of the first day of these Doha World Championships was the women’s marathon. In an effort to side-step impossible daytime weather conditions [dangerously steamy and hot (over 100 degrees Fahrenheit) temperatures exacerbated by a relentless, blazing sun] the competition was purposely scheduled to begin at 11:59 p.m. Late night weather conditions eased only slightly while temperature still hovered in the 90’s and oppressive humidity made for a hot and sticky race. How tough was it? Only 40 of the 70 world-class starters finished.

Just before midnight, the first ever midnight marathon in global championship competition got underway on a beautiful and relatively flat 7 kilometer loop course on Doha’s Corniche adjacent to the Persian Gulf. Caution was the watchword for the wiser athletes as the lead pack split 5K in 18:21, some 40-50 seconds per mile slower than the sparkling PR paces of the favorites. By 15K, passed in just over 54 minutes, a pack of 5 athletes all accustomed to warm weather racing began to pull away: the Kenyan duo of Ruth Chepngetich and Visiline Jepkesho up front with their countrywoman and 2-time world champion Edna Kiplagat, Nambia’s Helalia Johannes, and Bahrain’s Rose Chelimo tucked in behind. When these 5 hit halfway in 1:16:40 it was quite likely that, barring disaster, these 5 would ultimately battle for the medals. When the leaders passed 25 kilos in 1:31.01, Chepngetich, who earlier this year ran 2:17:08 to win the Dubai Marathon, was in command with Chelimo, Johannes, and Kiplagat gamely holding on while Jepkesho, who would eventually finish 15^th, was sliding out the back door. When the foursome crossed 35K with only one circuit remaining, it was the youngsters 25-year-old Chepngetich and 30-year-old Chelimo a step ahead of the two 39-year-old veterans Johannes and Olympic silver medalist Kiplagat. On the final lap, Chepngetich – #3 on the all-time marathon list – put the hammer down. With fireworks lighting the way, Chepngtich’s impressive surge carried her to the finish line 1^st in 2:32:43 – the slowest winning time ever in a world championship marathon. Johannes, 300 meters back, finished 2^nd in 2:33.46. Next was Johannes who crossed in 2:34.15 to snare the final podium position while the legendary Kiplagat just missed yet another world championship medal finishing 4^th in 2:35:36.

With the late-season scheduling of this championship gathering, many of the world’s better marathoners elected to bypass this competition in pursuit of more lucrative marathon racing opportunities later this fall and/or to concentrate on preparation for their country’s Olympic marathon trials. The American athletes were no exception. Yet a pair of USA women who did toe the line for this nocturnal global championship – Carrie Dimoff, and Roberta Groner – competed nobly. Dimoff and Groner had long ago planned to run in tandem, racing conservatively with the goal of picking off overly-ambitious competitors in the race’s later stages. It was a savvy strategy that worked well. Running around 20^th for the first half of this championship race, the duo went to work over the last three circuits with the veteran Groner [2:38:44] eventually moving all the way up to 6^th at the finish. While Dimoff [2:44:35] couldn’t match her teammates closing surge over the final laps, the former Princeton athlete finished a strong 13^th. “It was just about what I expected,” offered Dimoff afterwards. “It wasn’t that bad at first. And after about halfway, I was pretty confident – we were moving toward the top 10; we’re moving on people; we’re running smart. And we were just so excited.” But it got tougher when Groner stepped it up and the duo separated. “I always knew coming in to it that there was a chance it would be like that,’ admitted Dimoff. “Oh man, I was like ‘it’s going to be lonely. I’ve got a long ways to go.’ I knew I had to stay the course. Even without picking up the pace, I knew people would be coming back to me.”

Animated and happy with her 6^th place finish, Groner held court in the mixed zone. “I don’t know if there really was a race plan other than work to cover the race and be smart,” admitted the mother of three. “I didn’t have a race time in mind. It was just sort of a ‘go out and fight and get a place’ kind of a race,” said Groner, who works 40-hour weeks as a health care supervisor. “We knew after the first two laps that we were in the top 20, then the top 15, then the top 10. We just kind of worked our way down. We knew then that there was a chance that not too many people were going to come up behind us.”

An ambitious schedule remains for the USA’s top finisher who plans to run the New York City Marathon in 5 weeks and the USA Olympic Marathon Trials at the end of February. “New York was my fall race to begin with,” explained the New Jersey resident. “But then they asked me to do World’s. And that was a no-brainer. How could I not represent our country?” And then I said to myself, ‘Why can’t I do both.’ And before heading off, the 41-year old added , “This is my time.” / Dave Hunter /

Dave Hunter is an award-winning journalist who is a U.S. Correspondent for Track & Field News. He also writes a weekly column and serves as Senior Writer for www.RunBlogRun.com, and covers championship track & field competition domestically and in such global capitals as Moscow, Birmingham, Zurich, Brussels, Beijing, Rio de Janeiro, Zagreb, and Ostrava. Hunter frequently serves as the arena or stadium announcer for championship track & field gatherings, including the Ivy League, the Big East, the Mid-American Conference, the NAIA, the Big Ten, and the Millrose Games. Hunter has undertaken foreign and domestic broadcast assignments.. He ran his marathon P.R. of 2:31:40 on the Boston Marathon course back in the Paleozoic Era. To find out more about Dave, visit his website: www.trackandfieldhunter.com He can be reached at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Details: Written by Dave Hunter; Category: Track; Published: 26 August 2019

One of the sport’s few openly gay performers, Nikki Hiltz kicked off her first pro year with a PR win in the USATF Distance Classic 1500 in May. (KIRBY LEE/IMAGE OF SPORT)

Last year, when Arkansas alum Nikki Hiltz embarked upon a post-collegiate career with promising PRs of 2:05.16 and 4:09.14, immediate middle-distance stardom was not expected. But nobody told her that. This year, all the 24-year-old California native has done in her first full pro season is improve her 800 best to 2:01.37, make Team USA’s World Championships squad by running a 1500 PR of 4:03.55 and capture the metric mile gold at the Pan-Am Games.

Details: Written by Dave Hunter; Category: Road Racing; Published: 30 July 2019

Odessa & Dan Wehunt moments from their Dog Mile world record performance of 4:07

Fast-Paced Road Miles In Festive Atmospheres Are Gaining Popularity

July 30th, 2019

When the one mile footrace on the street emerged as a new road racing event in the 70’s, most runners didn’t know what to make of it. Unable – or perhaps unwilling – to appreciate the potential the new event presented, many saw the road mile as too short, considered it a competition more suited for the track, and questioned whether it was worth the effort. The new street event struggled to get traction. And perhaps the nadir of the road mile’s early days came just before the 1999 addition of the 5^th Avenue Mile when now-President Donald Trump abruptly pulled the funding for the event.

But things are different now. It has taken a while, but the road racing community has now embraced the mile race on the street. “No other event has a Roger Bannister or a Roger Bannister moment,” explains Bring Back The Mile Founder Ryan Lamppa as he outlines the magic created when Bannister ran his historic 1954 mile race on Oxford’s Iffley Road Track, the event he identifies as the primary thrust behind the road mile’s success.. “His sub-4:00 mile – the first ever – is recognized as the greatest athletic achievement of the 20^th century. And it is understandable: the simplicity of 4 laps in 4 minutes. Roger Bannister, an English gentleman who later became a world-famous neurologist, is a truly wonderful story. The allure is also attributable to Bannister breaking barriers, doing the impossible,.” And Lamppa enthusiastically adds, “And Bannister’s feat still resonates 65 years later.”

Details: Written by Dave Hunter; Category: Event Coverage; Published: 28 July 2019

Ajee’ Wilson front-ran her way to a 3-peat and overall career title No. 4. (KEVIN MORRIS)

Executing a masterful race plan with precision, Ajee’ Wilson competed with control and summoned the power she needed over the final furlong to capture her fourth outdoor 2-lap title with a list-leading 1:57.72 in her typical frontrunning fashion. Under warm & humid conditions with an overcast sky and a wet track she immediately spurted into the lead. Cutting to the rail on the backstretch, the world championship bronze medalist settled in with 4-time NCAA champion Raevyn Rogers on her shoulder a half step behind and Olivia Baker following closely in 3rd.

Details: Written by Dave Hunter; Category: Event Coverage; Published: 27 July 2019

Hillary Bor won a ferocious last-lap battle with Stanley Kebenei. (KIRBY LEE/IMAGE OF SPORT)

July 27th, 2019 / Des Moines, Iowa

The proceedings took on a whole new dynamic when it became clear that the balky stress fracture that had plagued Evan Jager’s left foot for nearly a year would compel the 7-time defending champion to bypass the meet. With the Olympic silver medalist on the sidelines, earlier-crafted race plans would be revamped and the expectations of the remaining challengers would be recalibrated.

Details: Written by Dave Hunter; Category: Event Coverage; Published: 26 July 2019

Teahna Daniels, English Gardner & Morolake Akinosun went 1-2-3, but came in formcharted as Nos. 3, 9 & 8.

(KEVIN MORRIS)

July 26th, 2019 / Des Moines, Iowa

On a warm summer day when a stubborn headwind played havoc in many events, Teahna Daniels unfurled a stunning close over the final 30m to capture the women’s century crown in a race that defied the formcharts. The victory by the 22-year-old former Texas star was yet another signal that a new wave of talented young American sprinters is on the way.

Details: Written by Dave Hunter; Category: Event Coverage; Published: 25 July 2019

The queen of the the U.S. road scene, Molly Huddle admitted, “Track titles are tough.”

(KIRBY LEE/IMAGE OF SPORT)

July 25th, 2019 / Des Moines, Iowa

In sports vernacular, “closer” is a moniker attributed to a gifted athlete who can be counted upon to rise to the moment, imposing his or her will at the end of an athletic competition and sealing the victory. In the event there might have been any remaining doubt, anybody who witnessed the women’s 10,000 now knows that the closer label can be unquestionably be applied to Molly Huddle, who calmly employed punishing tactics over the final mile to capture an unprecedented fifth straight title.

Details: Written by Dave Hunter; Category: Event Coverage; Published: 06 July 2019

Jordan_TomPC-Pre18.JPGTom Jordan, 2018 Pre Classic, photo by PhotoRun.net

Palo Alto, California

July 2nd, 2019

How many of you track & field fans relish the opportunity to get to the stadium for the 10:00 a.m. start of Day Two of the decathlon and stay engrossed in the day-long competition until the conclusion of the women's 10,000 at 9:45 p.m.? I do see a fair number of you raising your hands. But for the less-rabid track & field fan, such a stint is not a dream come true. It is simply too much - too much for the more causal track & field fan, unappealing to the emerging generation of sports fans, and simply intolerable for any live television broadcast.

This understanding is at the foundation of a series the recent moves by the IAAF [now known as World Athletics] earlier this year to tailor the television broadcast segment - the TV window, if you will - for the 14 Diamond League gatherings in an effort to make track & field broadcasts tighter, with more uninterrupted excitement, and with more compelling competitions in the fast-paced world in which we live. The alteration is a step - one step among several - to constrain track & field broadcasts to a length that has proved to be acceptable to a vast number of viewers and to be relatively consistent with the length of other successful sport broadcasts [e.g. the length of an NBA game; the duration of an NFL contest; the coverage time of a MLB game (provided there are no rain delays!)]. Other Diamond League changes included a revamping of the number of DL events from 32 to 24 [12 per each gender] and a reduction of the longest running event distance from 5000 meters to 3000 meters.

Details: Written by Dave Hunter; Category: Track; Published: 04 July 2019

She may be 32, but all-time sprint great Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is back running at close to PR levels.

(GLADYS CHAI/ASVOM AGENCY)

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has nothing to prove. The Jamaican sprint legend’s illustrious record speaks for itself: the first woman ever to capture 3 Olympic medals at 100m, 2 of them gold; 7-time World Championships gold medalist, 3 in the 100; 5-time Jamaican champion; 5-time Diamond League champion with 15 separate DL victories along the way. In ’13 she became the first woman to win golds in the 100, 200 and 4×1 in a single WC. And she was also the first woman to own world titles in the 60, 100, 200 and 4×1. Her PR 10.70 makes her No. 4 on the all-time list. Some think of her as the greatest female sprinter in history.

Details: Written by Dave Hunter; Category: Event Coverage; Published: 01 July 2019

Coleman_ChristianPC-Pre19.JPGChristian Coleman, photo by PhotoRun.net

Hanging with Track & Field Royalty at Pre

Palo Alto, California

June 30th, 2019

For those who want to experience the exhilaration of witnessing live the performances of the world's greatest track & field athletes, you can devote time and resources to travel to foreign lands to be in the stadium to savor in person the fights for the medals at either the Olympic Games or the World Championships. In doing so, you'll see all of the world's finest performers in a span of about 9 or 10 days. But there is another way: you can attend the Prefontaine Classic and be present for outstanding competitions with most of the same athletes. At Pre, you won't see every single finalist or even every event "athletics" has to offer. That said, the competitions you will see will be fierce battles among the world's best in that particular event. And you'll experience it all in about 2½ hours.

And for a couple of dozen journalists, there is an added benefit: the opportunity to engage in conversation in the mixed zone with a flood of Olympic and World Championship medalists and other global class performers - more in one afternoon than you'd ever have in a single session of a 10-day global championship. It is a rare, crowded, and frenzied occasion all crammed into just a few precious and exciting hours. Here are a select few of the tasty morsels offered up by some of the world's greatest athletes: after their competition on the Stanford campus:

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Dave Hunter

Dave Hunter is a track & field journalist, announcer, and broadcaster. Dave reports on the premier track & field gatherings around the globe, frequently serves as an arena or stadium announcer for championship events, and has undertaken foreign and domestic broadcast assignments in the sport.