Lausanne Women’s Recap: Jenny Simpson and Emma Coburn Have to Settle for 3rd as Sifan Hassan (4:02.36) & Virginia Nyambura (9:16.99) Grab Wins in 1500, Steeple
by LetsRun.com
July 9, 2015
Coming into the 2015 Athletissima Lausanne Diamond League track and field meeting, it seemed quite possible that America might have two gold medal favorites in the women’s mid-d and distance events as teammates Emma Coburn and Jenny Simpson had been running very well so far this year. However, the two were both soundly beaten today so they may head into Beijing in their more familiar underdog roles.
Of course, the 2015 IAAF Beijing World Championships don’t start for another 6+ weeks, so a lot can change between now and then.
We break down all of the women’s action for you below, starting with the women’s steeple and 1500.
You can read about all of the men’s action, including Nijel Amos‘ win over David Rudisha in the 800 and Mo ‘s victory in the 5,000 in a separate article here.
All 2015 Athletissima Lausanne coverage
Women’s Steeple: Virginia Nyambura Makes It Three Out of Four
At USAs a few weeks ago, Emma Coburn ran 9:15.59 in oppressively hot conditions. Running in mid-70s temps today, there was speculation that Coburn could run both an American record (Coburn ran 9:11.42 on July 12, which is the fastest time ever by an American but not technically the American record) and 2015 world leader. Instead, Coburn only managed a third-place showing of 9:20.67 as 21-year-old Kenyan Virginia Nyambura picked up her third DL win of the season in four attempts in 9:16.99 as Ethiopian Hiwot Ayalew, our #1-ranked steepler last year, was second in 9:17.22.
Results
3000 Metres Steeplechase - Women
Pts
1 Nganga , Virginia Nyambura KEN 9:16.99 4
2 Ayalew , Hiwot ETH 9:17.22 2
3 Coburn , Emma USA 9:20.67 1
4 Jebet , Ruth BRN 9:26.87
5 Getnet , Tigist ETH 9:31.53
6 Chepkurui , Lidya KEN 9:33.03
7 Tuigong , Caroline Chepkurui KEN 9:34.15
8 Kudzelich , Sviatlana BLR 9:35.42
9 Fente , Birtukan ETH 9:39.97
10 Franek , Bridget USA 9:40.53
11 Quigley , Colleen USA 9:42.53
12 Diro , Etenesh ETH 9:43.07
13 LaCaze , Genevieve AUS 9:43.17
14 Schlumpf , Fabienne SUI 10:01.20
15 Eriksson , Sandra FIN 10:19.68
Gathoni , Ann KEN DNF
Mohamed , Buzuayehu ETH DNF
O'Connor , Leah USA DNF
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The Race
After a first 1k of 3:08 for Coburn and 2k of 6:17, the race came down to the last lap. Nyambura and Ayalew started to open a little gap on Coburn on the backstretch, with Ayalew leading, but Coburn tried to stay in contact. Heading into the last water jump, Nyambura led and hurdled it with both feet, coming over in less-than-classic fashion. However, she still managed to pick up ground despite Ayalew utilizing more traditional hurdle form. Only a fall on the last hurdle would have prevented Nyambura from winning, but that didn’t happen and Nyambura was your winner.
Leader to leader, the last three laps were 74.8, 72.5 and 68.75.
Quick Thought #1: A disappointing day for the Americans
Conditions weren’t perfect tonight as there was some wind on the backstrech (weather reports said 9 mph) but the conditions were still better than what the runners faced in Eugene and the times for two of the three Americans in this one were much slower.
At USAs, Coburn ran 9:15 in a heat wave. Tonight, she ran 9:20.
At USAs, Colleen Quigley ran 9:24. Tonight, she ran 9:42.
Bridget Franek did run faster tonight than at USAs (9:40 versus 9:44).
Quick Thought #2: Virginia Nyambura’s breaktout 2015 continues, but Worlds are a long way off.
In the first DL meet of the season in Doha, Nyambura started the race as the rabbit and ended it as the race winner. She’s now won 3 of 4 DL races she’s run.
| Virginia Nyambura’s Steeples in 2015 | ||||||
| 9:21.51 WL | PB | 1 | Diamond | Doha | 15 May | |
| 9:15.75 | PB (3) | 2 | GGala | Roma | 4 Jun | |
| 9:24.01 | 1 | Sainsbury’s | Birmingham | 7 Jun | ||
| 9:16.99 | 1 | Athletissima | Lausanne | 9 Jul | ||
The good news for Coburn fans is that Nyambura is still very inexperienced. Worlds are a long way off for Nyambura, who turns 22 on July 20, and we can’t imagine when she started her season as a rabbit with a 9:58 pb that she was planning on peaking at the end of August.
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- No Evan Jager repeat here
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- Virginia Nyambura celebrates
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- Virginia Nyambura celebrates
Women’s 1500: Sifan Hassan Crushes Jenny Simpson Over Last 100m
It’s rare to see someone pull away from Jenny Simpson in the final 100 meters of a 1500, but that’s exactly what happened tonight as the Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan dusted Simpson and the rest of the field on the final straightaway, winning her second straight DL race in 4:02.36 thanks to a 29.1-second final 200. After running 4:01 and losing in her first two 1500s of the year, Hassan is really coming on now as she went 3:59 for second in Rome on June 4 before picking up wins in Birmingham (June 7) and Lausanne (today). This was by no means a disaster for Simpson (third in 4:03.54), who lost to two very strong runners in Hassan and 3:56 woman Faith Kipyegon; as good as she is, it was unlikely that Simpson was going to make it through the season undefeated.
A rare sight: someone pulling away from Jenny Simpson at the end of a 1500
The Race
The rabbits went out insanely fast in this one, coming through 400 in 61.6 seconds — 3:51 pace that even Genzebe Dibaba would be hesitant to follow. The field wisely held off, coming through in 64, led by Ethiopian Senbere Teferi. A 66-second second 800 meant that Dibaba’s world-leading 3:54.11 from Wednesday was off the table; this one would come down to a kick.
At that point, 2013 world 5,000 silver medalist Mercy Cherono led with Simpson and world junior champ Dawit Seyaum of Ethiopia behind her. Hassan, who generally starts slowly before moving up, was still toward the back at that point, but as they ran down the homestretch for the penultimate time, she passed most of the field and had the lead at the bell with Simpson, Cherono and Kipyegon behind her.
With 400 to go, Hassan pressed hard and the field strung out immediately, though Simpson and Kipyegon remained close behind. With 200 to go, Kipyegon made a bid to pass Simpson for second, but Simpson fought back and held her off. Coming off the final turn, Hassan still led and, similar to Farah in the 5,000, she shifted gears with 100 to go. Simpson and Kipyegon had no response and Hassan streaked to a comfortable victory. Kipyegon and Simpson battled for the final 100 with Kipyegon finally edging past with 10 meters to go.
Hassan won her second straight DL race in Lausanne
Quick Take #1: Simpson’s gold medal odds have taken a hit this week
On Monday, Simpson was the clear favorite in the 1500 at Worlds, with four straight victories on the circuit and a win at USAs. But Dibaba’s 3:54 on Wednesday stirred talk of a double at Worlds for the Ethiopian, and Simpson’s defeat here provided more evidence that she is beatable in Beijing, especially considering the women who beat her both have strong pedigrees (Hassan was the 2014 world leader; Kipyegon has run 3:56.98 and was fifth at Worlds in 2013).
Simpson is still in a good position. She’s been running great this year and has timed her peak perfectly at the last two World Championships. But Dibaba (if she runs the 1500), Hassan, Kipyegon all represent very real threats to Simpson’s supremacy, and she will have to be at her very best if she is to hold them off at Worlds. Plus reigning champ Abebe Aregawi seems to be improving after starting the season slowly.
Quick Take #2: Is 1:58>3:54?
Mathematically, the equation above is false. But when it comes to the 1500 at Worlds, 1:58 could be greater than 3:54. The latter time, of course, is what Dibaba ran in Barcelona on Thursday. The former is what commentator Steve Cram said Hassan has reportedly run in practice for an 800, devastating speed for a 1500 runner (Simpson’s PR is 2:00.45; All-Athletics lists no 800 PR for Dibaba). If Dibaba can manage a 3:54-3:56 at Worlds, it’s possible she could run away from the field.
But the likelier outcome in a championship is a slower race, which makes Hassan’s speed a major asset. It definitely made a difference today, as Hassan had a lot left in the tank after a relatively slow first three laps and was far and away the best in the field over the final 100.
Quick Take #3: In case there was any doubt, Faith Kipyegon should run the 1500 at Worlds
Kipyegon said her dalliance with the 5,000 was only to get her ready for the 1500 after coming back from injury, and she showed tonight that the shorter event is clearly her best chance to medal — or win — at Worlds. Though Hassan put her away over the final 100, Kipyegon beat the top woman in the world coming in (Simpson) and finished second overall. In the 5,000 in Paris on Saturday, she was just seventh, 29 seconds behind the winner and 23 behind second place.
Results
1 Hassan , Sifan NED 4:02.36 4
2 Kipyegon , Faith Chepngetich KEN 4:03.38 2
3 Simpson , Jennifer USA 4:03.54 1
4 Cherono , Mercy KEN 4:04.24
5 Tsegay , Gudaf ETH 4:05.29
6 Hilali , Siham MAR 4:05.55
7 Kibiwot , Viola Jelagat KEN 4:06.40
8 Teferi , Senbere ETH 4:06.81
9 Grunewald , Gabrielle USA 4:07.03
10 Jelagat , Irene KEN 4:07.75
11 Seyaum , Dawit ETH 4:10.94
12 Belete , Mimi BRN 4:14.18
Akkaoui , Malika MAR DNF
Sitonik , Beatrice Chepkoech KEN DNF
Kajan , Selma AUS DNF
Women’s 800: Selina Büchel Wins At Home
In this non-DL race, American Shannon Rowbury failed to become just the 5th women in the sub-2:00 for 800 and sub-15:00 for 5000 club as she was fourth in 2:03.53. Selina Büchel, who ran a big pr of 1:57.95 for third in Paris, gave the Swiss fans something to cheer about she won comfortably over Molly Ludlow in 2:01.68.
800 Metres - Women Race 2
1 Büchel , Selina SUI 2:01.68
2 Beckwith-Ludlow , Molly USA 2:02.08
3 Thomas , LaTavia USA 2:03.21
4 Rowbury , Shannon USA 2:03.53
5 Yarigo , Noélie BEN 2:03.54
6 Smith , Jessica CAN 2:03.92
7 Nanyondo , Winnie UGA 2:04.14
8 Assefa , Tigist ETH 2:06.71
9 Magiso , Fantu ETH 2:07.15
Masná , Lenka CZE DNF
Perrossier , Estelle FRA DNF
400m Women: Shaunae Miller Breaks 50 For The First Time
21-year-old Shaunae Miller of the Bahamas, formerly of the University of Gerogia, absolutely dominated the final 100 and became the third woman under 50 this year as she ran a seasonal best 49.93 to get the win. It was first time that Miller, who was the 2010 world junior champ at age 16 and the NCAA Indoor champ in 2013, has dipped under 50 in her career as her PB coming in was 50.17.
400 Metres - Women
Pts
1 Miller , Shaunae BAH 49.92 4
2 Richards-Ross , Sanya USA 51.12 2
3 Williams-Mills , Novlene JAM 51.15 1
4 Onuora , Anyika GBR 51.26
5 Hastings , Natasha USA 51.29
6 George , Regina NGR 51.99
7 Francis , Phyllis USA 52.04
8 Terrero , Indira ESP 53.99
400m Hurdles Women: Sara Petersen’s National Record Streak Ends But She Wins Her First DL Race
28-year-old Sara Petersen of Denmark, who had PR’d and set a national record in each of her previous four races, saw her PR streak come to end but she got a very nice consolation prize – her first DL win as she won in a modest 55.01.
Before this year, she was a 55-second woman.
Sara Petersen’s Last Five 400h Races
55.23 NR PB 1 AtletiCAG Genève 6 Jun
55.13 NR PB 1 ETC-2 Stara Zagora 20 Jun
54.79 NR PB 1 Sidło Sopot 27 Jun
53.99 NR PB (3) 2 Areva Saint-Denis 4 Ju
55.01 1st Lausanne 9 Jul
400 Metres Hurdles - Women
1 Petersen , Sara Slott DEN 55.01
2 Nel , Wenda RSA 55.78
3 Wells , Lauren AUS 56.25
4 Sprunger , Léa SUI 56.26
5 Rudakova , Vera RUS 56.49
6 Dauwens , Axelle BEL 56.62
7 Lambarki , Hayat MAR 56.62
8 Fontanive , Petra SUI 58.45
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- Sara Petersen – DL Winner
100m Hurdles: Dawn Harper-Nelson Runs 12.55 Again
There were three or four women in contention for the win at the end of this one but the winner ended up being Dawn Harper-Nelson, who equalled the time she ran to win USAs in her last race, 12.55. 2015 world #2 Jasmin Stowers, who was 5th at USAs, had the lead heading into the last hurdle in this high-quality race where five women broke 12.70.
100 Metres Hurdles - Women Race 2 Wind: +1.7 m/s
Pts
1 Harper Nelson , Dawn USA 12.55 4
2 Stowers , Jasmin USA 12.58 2
3 Harrison , Queen USA 12.63 1
4 Nelvis , Sharika USA 12.63
5 Porter , Tiffany GBR 12.66
6 Castlin , Kristi USA 12.71
7 Talay , Alina BLR 12.81
8 Coward , Jacqueline USA 13.14
100 Metres Hurdles - Women Race 1 Wind: +1.6 m/s
1 Jones , LoLo USA 12.88
2 Roleder , Cindy GER 13.04
3 Reuse , Clélia SUI 13.27
4 Bendrat , Stephanie AUT 13.80
5 Bornoz , Alexane SUI 13.93
6 Baumgartner , Ramona SUI 13.99
7 Agnou , Caroline SUI 14.00
8 Rösli , Kiana SUI 14.32
200m Women: Allyson Felix Pulls Away
Halfway down the homestretch, Allyson Felix, Dafne Schippers and Murielle Ahoure were basically side by side but Felix’s 400 strength came through as she pulled away to win in 22.10 to Schippers’ 22.29 seasonal best and Ahoure’s 22.36.
200 Metres - Women Wind: +1.9 m/s
Pts
1 Felix , Allyson USA 22.09 4
2 Schippers , Dafne NED 22.29 2
3 Ahouré , Murielle CIV 22.36 1
4 Bryant , Dezerea USA 22.63
5 Tarmoh , Jeneba USA 22.69
6 Richards-Ross , Sanya USA 22.94
7 Williams , Bianca GBR 23.24
8 Kambundji , Mujinga SUI 23.27
Women’s 100: English Gardner Wins
With a huge tailwind, US runner-up English Gardner won this non-DL event in 10.76.
100 Metres - Women Race 3 Wind: +5.4 m/s
1 Gardner , English USA 10.76
2 Sailer , Verena GER 10.91
3 Whitney , Kaylin USA 11.01
4 Kwadwo , Yasmin GER 11.16
5 Popowicz , Marika POL 11.27
6 Strohova , Nataliya UKR 11.27
7 Kielbasinska , Anna POL 11.45
8 Pyatachenko-Kashcheyeva , ViktoryUKR 13.73
100 Metres - Women Race 2 Wind: +0.8 m/s
1 Lavanchy , Marisa SUI 11.60
2 Stuy , Khrystyna UKR 11.61
3 García , Estela ESP 11.71
4 Hjelmer , Moa SWE 11.78
5 Pérez , María Isabel ESP 12.02
6 Kambundji , Muswama SUI 12.19
7 Humair , Aurélie SUI 12.20
8 Nilsson , Pernilla SWE 12.23
100 Metres - Women Race 1 Wind: +2.2 m/s
1 Halbheer , Cornelia SUI 11.82
2 Frey , Geraldine SUI 11.97
3 Strebel , Irina SUI 12.04
4 Dietsche , Riccarda SUI 12.08
5 Del Ponte , Ajla SUI 12.13
6 Gutschmidt , Aurélie SUI 12.28
7 Lüber , Anna SUI 12.33
8 Baumann , Alisha SUI 12.44
Women’s 4 x 100
4x100 Metres Relay - Women
1 Switzerland SUI 43.73
2 Poland POL 44.00
3 Sweden SWE 44.69
4 Spain ESP 44.96
5 Switzerland U20 SUI 45.99
Ukraine UKR DNS
Field Events
Discus Throw Women: Pérez Wins With World Leader
2010 world junior champ Yaime Pérez, now 24, got the win in a new pb of 67.13 – the 2015 world-leading mark.
Discus Throw - Women
Pts
1 Pérez , Yaime CUB 67.13 4
2 Perkovic , Sandra CRO 67.06 2
3 Caballero , Denia CUB 66.04 1
4 Samuels , Dani AUS 64.59
5 Robert-Michon , Mélina FRA 63.78
6 Müller , Nadine GER 63.52
7 Ashley , Whitney USA 61.74
Long Jump Women: Tianna Bartoletta Wins Again
US champ Tianna Bartoletta, who jumped a world-leading 7.12 at USAs, got the win at 6.86.
Long Jump - Women
Pts Wind
1 Bartoletta , Tianna USA 6.86 4 -1.1
2 Proctor , Shara GBR 6.79 2 +1.8
3 Nettey , Christabel CAN 6.68 1 -0.1
4 Okagbare , Blessing NGR 6.66 +1.1
5 Moguenara-Taroum , Sostene GER 6.60 +1.3
6 Španovic , Ivana SRB 6.60 -1.3
7 DeLoach Soukup , Janay USA 6.58 +2.3
8 Klishina , Darya RUS 6.57 0.0
9 Pusterla , Irene SUI 6.17 +1.2
High Jump Women: Anna Chicherova Wins With 2.03m World Leader
2011 World and 2012 Olympic champ Anna Chicherova got her first DL win of the season in a world leading 2.03m.
High Jump - Women
Pts
1 Chicherova , Anna RUS 2.03 4
2 Beitia , Ruth ESP 1.94 2
3 Kinsey , Erika SWE 1.94 1
4 Shkolina , Svetlana RUS 1.94
5 Radzivil , Svetlana UZB 1.91
5 Šimic , Ana CRO 1.91
7 Jungfleisch , Marie-Laurence GER 1.88
8 Spencer , Levern LCA 1.88
9 Amata , Doreen NGR 1.85
9 Pooley , Isobel GBR 1.85
11 Gordeeva , Irina RUS 1.85