By Gus Morris
Day One of the 2017 Prefontaine Classic kicked off on Friday with seven women’s events to celebrate Joan Benoit Samuelson night. The winner of the inaugural women’s Olympic marathon in 1984, along with some 7,800 others, was on hand to witness a number of impressive performances on the first night of the only Diamond League event held in the United States.
Day Two begins Saturday at 12:40 p.m., but in case you missed any of the action from Friday, here’s a rundown of the events and results.
Celliphine Chespol of Kenya, 18, lost her shoe in the women’s steeplechase but ended up winning the race. Morgan Sudduth covered the come-from-behind victory.
Ethiopian Genzebe Dibaba easily won the women’s 5,000 but came up short of the setting the world record. Jack Butler on the bittersweet victory for Dibaba.
American-runner Charlene Lipsey won the women’s 800 and set a personal record. Story from Kim Holm.
Canada’s Gabrielle Stafford beat her idols in the women’s 1,500, via RJ Chavez. And you can also read about Gabriele Grunewald, who is delaying chemo treatments in an attempt to qualify for U.S. outdoor nationals. Becky Hoag has her inspirational story.
Fourteen-year-old Tamari Davis was the surprise winner of the high school women’s 200. Maverick Pallack wrote about it here, and Abigail Winn profiled Davis here.
In a rematch of Olympic competitors, U.S. long jumper Brittney Reese topped Tianna Bartoletta. Sierra Webster covered the event.
Tatsiana Khaladovich won the women’s javelin with a throw of 217 feet, 6 inches. She was just one and a half inches away from her personal best. Ariel Sax has the story.
Here are a few previews for some of Saturday’s races as well.
Allyson Felix set to face a tough field in the women’s 200, writes Shawn Medow.
The women’s 400-meter hurdles will feature several Olympic medalists. Jack Butler has the preview.
Saturday will be the last time Mo Farah will compete on the track in the Pre Classic. Linden Moore previews his last race at Hayward here.
Armand Duplantis is just 17, but he’s favored in the men’s pole vault on Saturday. Maggie Vanoni writes about him here.
Devon Allen is set to compete in the men’s 110-meter hurdles on Saturday. It will be his first time competing in the Pre Classic. Emma Childs writes about it here.
