2011

Prefontaine Classic – A GATHERING OF EAGLES

Event

By GRR 0

What do you call it when the Bowerman Mile at this Saturday's Prefontaine Classic contains 10 runners who have broken 3:50 in the mile or the metric equivalent; 6 of the top 10 ranked milers in the world last year, including Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 5; and the reigning Olympic gold and silver medalists at 1500 meters?

We call it a Gathering of Eagles. Consider what you will see at the Pre Classic, the 4^th stop on the elite Samsung Diamond League circuit:

Asbel Kiprop, Olympic champion, defending Bowerman Mile champion, ranked No. 1 in the world last year by Track & Field News magazine, lifetime best of 3:48.50.
Amine Laalou, ranked No. 2 in the world last year, 2^nd fastest time of 2010, lifetime best of 3:29.53, equal to a 3:46.3 mile.
Silas Kiplagat, ranked No. 3, fastest in the world last year at 3:29.27, equal to a 3:45.9 mile.
Gebremedhin Mekonnen, No. 5 in the world, lifetime best of 3:29.53 (= 3:46.3 mile).
Daniel Komen, the Bowerman Mile recordholder in 3:48.28, World Indoor silver medalist at 1500 in 2008.
Nick Willis, Olympic silver medalist at Beijing, lifetime best of 3:32.17 (= 3:49.2 mile).
Caleb Ndiku, World Junior 1500 meter champion, just ran 3:32.02 this weekend (= 3:49.3 mile), one of the top 10 Juniors of all-time and still only 18 years old.
Lopez Lomong, 3:32.20 personal best equal to a 3:49.3 mile.
Haron Keitany, just ran 3:31.86 (= 3:48.8 mile) YESTERDAY!
Yenew Alimarew, just turned 21 last Friday, and already is the 9^th fastest in history at 3000 meters.
Russell Brown, ran the fastest indoor mile in the world this past winter, enjoying a breakout season.

BOWERMAN MILE

Asbel Kiprop (Kenya)
Amine Laalou (Morocco)
Silas Kiplagat (Kenya)
Gebremedhin Mekonnen (Ethiopia)
Daniel K Komen (Kenya)
Nick Willis (New Zealand)
Haron Keitany (Kenya)
Caleb Ndiku (Kenya)
Lopez Lomong (USA)
Yenew Alimarew (Ethiopia)
Russell Brown (USA)
Mark Wieczorek (USA)-pace
Josephat Kiithi (Kenya)-pace

SUB-3:50 PERFORMERS IN THE INTERNATIONAL MILE, TOO

In last year's Prefontaine Classic International Mile, Australia's Ryan Gregson made a breakthrough to win the race in 3:53.19, leading 9 runners under 3:58-flat. Gregson went on to record a 3:31.06 1500 (= 3:48.0 mile) and earn No. 10 in the Track & Field News world rankings. He is back to defend his International Mile title, facing a field that can give him a run for his money. Kenya's Gideon Gathimba has strong credentials, having run a 3:50.53 mile in his career. Backing him up are former 800 World Champion Alfred Kirwa Yego (best = 3:50.8 mile), and six runners who have run under 3:57-flat in their careers. For those who love the mile, this will be a treat!

INTERNATIONAL MILE

Ryan Gregson (Australia)
Gideon Gathimba (Kenya)
Alfred Kirwa Yego (Kenya)
Nicholas Kemboi (Kenya)
Will Leer (USA)
David Torrence (USA)
Evan Jager (USA)
Mohammed Geleto (Ethiopia)
Kyle Miller (USA)
Belal Mansoor Ali (Bahrain)
Ben Blankenship (USA)
Jon Rankin (Cayman Islands)-pace

Tickets for the 37th annual Prefontaine Classic are on sale from www.goducks.com, from 1-800-WEBFOOT, and in person at the Oregon Athletic Department ticket office. The NIKE Prefontaine Classic will be shown live to an international audience and on NBC from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. ET.

Full preliminary entry list

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author: GRR