Eugene, Oregon - How good have the distance races been in the 35-year
history of the Prefontaine Classic? Good enough that the fastest times
ever run on American soil in two of the three endurance races in this
year's Pre Classic were recorded in prior editions of the meet. How
good will they be on Sunday, 7 June at Hayward Field? Good enough that
all three records - in the women's 2000m and men's 3000m and 3000m
Steeplechase - are in serious jeopardy.
The Prefontaine Classic is a Grand Prix status meeting as part of the 2009 IAAF World Athletics Tour.
In
the women's 2000m, 2007 World 1500m champion Maryam Jamal of Bahrain
plans a pace that would bring her under 5 minutes, 30 seconds. The
"American All-Comers Record" is 5:32.7, set 25 years ago by the
incomparable Mary Slaney. This will be no solo run, however, since
Kenyan 5000m specialists Vivian Cheriuyot are in the race. New York
Marathon third-placer and 2007 World Championships bronze medallist in
the 10,000m Kara Goucher is also scheduled to compete, along with No. 2
American Jen Rhines, and NCAA cross country champion Sally Kipyego of
Kenya.
One competitor in the 2009 Pre Classic men's 3000m race
is very familiar with the fastest time ever run on American soil.
Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya set the record of 7:35.44 in the 2005 edition
of....
2000 METERS (WOMEN)
**Maryam Jamal (Bahrain)
**Linet Masai (Kenya)
**Vivian Cheruiyot (Kenya)
**Pauline Korikwiang (Kenya)
**Jen Rhines
**Sara Hall
**Sally Kipyego (Kenya)
**Marina Muncan--pace
**Amy Yoder-Begley
**Arianne Lambie
**Kara Goucher
3000 METERS (MEN)
**Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya)
**Bernard Lagat
**Sileshi Sihine
**Moses Masai (Kenya)
**Abreham Feleke (Ethiopia)
**Matt Tegenkamp
**Juan Luis Barrios (Mexico)
**Chris Solinsky
**Jonathan Riley
**Leonard Komon (Kenya)
**Ian Dobson
**Matthew Kisorio (Kenya)
**Saif Shaheen (Qatar)
**Brent Vaughn
**Alistair Craig
**Steve Scherer--pace
STEEPLECHASE (MEN)
**Paul Koech (Kenya)
**Ezekiel Kemboi (Kenya)
**Billy Nelson
**Willy Komen (Kenya)
**Kyle Alcorn
**Dan Huling
**Josh McAdams
**Roba Gary (Ethiopia)
**Ben Bruce
**Tom Brooks
**Steve Slattery
**Brian Olinger
**Luke Watson--pace
