Marion Jones, ‘The World’s Fastest Woman,’ took the national 200-meter crown at last weekend’s U.S.A. Championships.
Four days was all it took for America’s greatest track and field meet to unfold.
Four days was what it took for Maurice Green to shake up the track world, for Marion Jones to beat the pants off her competition, for Marla Runyan to notch one more amazing feather in an already-full cap.
Four days.
Eugene fans were treated to some of the finest competition American track has to offer over the four-day USA Championships last week.
Athletes in each event competed for the coveted top-three position that would ensure a spot on the American team for the World Championships.
While the rain marred Sunday’s competition slightly, the runners, jumpers and throwers managed to enjoy Track Town’s offerings.
“It’s such an honor to compete here,” Runyan said. “It always means so much.”
Each day had its own stories. Thursday was the day Green ran the fastest American 100 this year at 9.9 seconds. Friday was the day Bob Kennedy found redemption for last year’s Olympic failure. Saturday was the day Regina Jacobs started a feat accomplished only once before in history, when she won the 800 and 1,500 titles at the same national championship meet.
Sunday was Marion Jones’ day to shine, as she handily won the 200. It was also Runyan’s day, as she held off Jacobs and won her first-ever 5,000.
Four days. A hundred stories. Only in track and field.