The Prefontaine Classic concluded with a flurry of strong performances and records across multiple events at Hayward Field, in front of a loud sell-out crowd Saturday afternoon.
The highlight was the performance by Genzebe Dibaba in the women’s 5,000 meters. The Ethiopian ran the race at an impressive pace, pulling away from the field and running all by herself for the final two laps. She was able to cross the finish line in 14:19.76, setting a new Pre Classic and Hayward record. Her time was also the fastest run in the United States.
France’s Renaud Levillenie also made his mark, posting the best jump in the pole vault ever on U.S. soil. His best clearance was at 6.05 meters.
“It’s just the beginning of the season,” Lavillenie said. “I have a lot of work to do and get myself to jump even better for the next week.”
U.S. sprinter Justin Gatlin continued to make moves in the 200, winning against a loaded field. He got out to a fast start, holding on down the stretch to win in 19.68. That time is a Hayward record and the fastest time in the world this year.
“Coach told me to come out here and work the curve, get out of the blocks like I’m running the 100 meters,” Gatlin said. “I just want to be able to dominate coming out of the curve and be able to hold my form.”
Gatlin now holds the world leading times in both the 100 and 200.
In the International Mile the United States’ Ben Blankenship ran an impressive race, sneaking past Jonathan Kiplimo Sawe of Kenya on the inside to take the win. Blankenship’s time of 3:55.72 was the fastest time in the world this year, though it didn’t last very long.
The Bowerman Mile was the final event of the evening, concluding the day with fast finish. All 13 racers in the field finished sub-four, with Ayanleh Souleiman winning in 3:51.10. That performance took the world leading time from Blankenship, and also gave Souleiman back-to-back wins at the Prefontaine.
Allison Felix won the women’s 400 (50.05), holding off teammate Sanya Richards-Ross (50.29) down the final straightaway. Richards-Ross wasn’t happy with her performance.
“I felt like I was ready to go fast, thought the conditions were perfect,” Richards-Ross said. “Just didn’t have it coming down the last stretch.”
Returning to Hayward Field was former Duck English Gardner, competing in the women’s international 100. She won the event (10.84), beating out Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson at the line.
“I live for these moments, to be able to come back to my second home,” Gardner said. “The crowd here is just amazing, to be able to stand in a line of people who are top in the country and my name still brings about this roar means the most to me.”
Honored at the event was the first class of the Prefontaine Classic Legends, which honors past performers who made their mark on the proceedings. Mary Slaney, Liu Xiang and Hicham El Guerrouj were all part of the inaugural class.
Click here for a complete list of results from the Prefontaine Classic.
Follow Christopher Keizur on Twitter @chriskeizur