2011 London Diamond League Day 2: Manzano Impresses, Richards-Ross Returns to Form, and Much More

By LetsRun.com
August 6, 2011

On day 2 of 2 at the final big meet before Worlds, Leo Manzano got Americans excited for Worlds  by coming from way behind to get a shock victory in the men's 1,500; British fans got excited by Lisa Dobriskey's win in the women's 1,500; American fans also were probably thrilled by Sanya Richards-Ross' return to form in the 400 (49.66). Sally Pearson and Carmelita Jeter continued their winning ways as Lauren Fleshman led the US women under the "A" standard in the 5000m.

LRC Friday Recap Here (Kaki over Rudisha, Dayron Robles, Yohan Blake, Kirani James)

Men's 1500m: Leo Manano Comes From Way Back To Get A Fantastic Win!!!

Good news American distance running fans, Leo Manzano's love affair with Great Britain is going very strong and the 2012 Olympics will be held in the UK next year.

Over the last two years, Manzano has been known for some maddening inconsistency and for producing a few total stinkers of a race each year, highlighted or should we say lowlighted by a 13th place showing at Pre in 2009, 11th place and 13th place showings at Pre and Monaco last year and a 12th place showing in Stockholm just last week.

But every time during that time frame that he's stepped foot in the UK, he's run very well.

2009: He was 2nd in London in the mile in 3:53.01 and then won in Gateshead in the 1,500.
2010: He was third in Gateshead in the 1,500 before getting third in the mile in London in 3:50.64.

Well Manzano did even better today as he after seemingly being out of it 1000 into the race, he worked his way up to the lead pack and then did the unthinkable - went three wide and out-kicked both Augustine Choge and Bernard Lagat to get the win in 3:51.24.

Manzano definitely is in form at the perfect time heading into the World Championships.

The race was rabbitted nearly flawlessly by American Jack Bolas through a half mile in 1:53.44 and Craig Miller who took them to 500 meters remaining. With 500 to go, Manzano was seemingly out of the race. There was a lead group of four of Choge, Lagat, Kenya's Bethwell Birgen and America's Lopez Lomong and then a visible gap to the other runners. Manzano was in 7th at this point, some 1.7 seconds down. Coming off the turn, he had left the chase pack - and chase pack is a term you don't normally use in a race as short as mile - and started to make inroads on the leaders. At the bell, Manzano was still more than a full second behind but he was moving forward. With 300 remaining, he finally caught the tail-end of the group and at this point he caught the announcer's attention who said exactly what we were thinking, "Manzano's covered that gap but there will have been a lot of work put in to do just that." That being said, Manzano's march forward didn't slow at all on the backstretch as first he passed Lomong and then Birgen. Now Manzano was in third and the announcer was really impressed, "And what a surge this is by Manzano up into third place."

But just as Manzano was catching up to Lagat, only 200 meters remained and the leading duo started to accelerate for the kick for home. Surely Manzano was dead in the water. But no, coming off the final turn, Choge still lead but Lagat was right behind him and Manzano right behind him. The runners went three wide. As Lagat moved up on Choge, Manzano moved up on Lagat. Manzano surged past both of them and got the win as Lagat would edge past Choge after Manzano had left them both. A fantastic finish and a startling victor. Or as the British announcer so perfectly exclaimed, ""A fabulous win for the little American and he's taken a couple of big scalps there."

Lagat ended up second in 3:51.38 as Choge was third in 3:51.50. Everyone else was way, way back.

QT#1: This race really was a fantastic race to watch and we encourage you to watch it below. The beauty of track and comes in watching people compete not chase times and finishes of races don't get much better than this. Manzano has shown throughout his career he is a fantastic finisher when in contention to win a race.

QT#2: As amazing as Leo's win was, it probably is a tiny bit misleading as the stats reveal that Lagat, who doesn't have the same finishing kick at age 36 as he once did, and Choge, who has been struggling for much of the year, didn't close all that well. Lagat closed his last lap in the 56 mid-range with a last 200 of something like 27.2. Leo's last lap was in 55.2-3 and his last 200 in 26.8-9. But in an elite 1,500 someone should really never be able to make up more than a second on the last lap like Manzano did. If this was the Lagat of say five years ago, no way would he have lost over the final 200.

QT#3: After running 4:01.60, we wonder if 21-year old Aussie wonder-kid Ryan Gregson will even want to go to world's. We think he should go no matter what just to get the experience under his belt so he doesn't go into the Olympics as a rookie.

QT#4: We want to apologize to the LRC faithful. In our pre-race preview, we initially missed the fact that Bernard Lagat was in the race and added a brief line in about him at the end. But the whole theme of our preview would have been the same of "Who is going to win this race?" Undoubtedly, Lagat was the favorite but having seen him bet outkicked by Matt Centrowitz at USAs and Mo Farah in Europe, we would have wondered if still has the finishing speed to win most international miles.

On the boards: Leo Wow!!!! 3:51 FTW

Rank Athlete Nation Result Diamond Points Diamond Ranking 1 MANZANO Leonel USA 3:51.24 4 4   2 LAGAT Bernard USA 3:51.38 3 7   3 CHOGE Augustine Kiprono KEN 3:51.50 SB 1 9   4 LOMONG Lopez USA 3:55.20       5 BIRGEN Bethwell KEN 3:56.22 PB       6 NOWICKI Bartosz POL 3:57.19 PB       7 KAAN James AUS 3:57.70 PB       8 MCCORMICK Nick GBR 3:58.78       9 GREGSON Ryan AUS 4:01.60       10 COTTON Adam GBR 4:01.77       11 BROWN Russell USA 4:02.11       12 BADDELEY Andrew GBR 4:06.04         BOLAS Jack USA DNF         MILLER Craig USA DNF         SHANE James GBR DNS

Leo FTW!!!! (Last Lap and Highlights) Intermediate times: 400m - Bolas, Jack (USA) -55.51 800m - Bolas, Jack (USA) -1:53.44 1200m - Choge, Augustine Kiprono (KEN) -2:53.33

Women's 1500m: 2009 Worlds Silver Medalist Lisa Dobriskey Gets Win Just in Time for Worlds

Lisa Dobriskey may not be a household name in America, but she's arguably been better than any of America's top 1500m runners the last few years. The silver medalist in 2009 at Worlds, Dobriskey also went sub 4:00 in 2009 and 2010.

This year had been a struggle for Dobriskey, until Saturday when she outkicked American Shannon Rowbury the last 100m and held off a late charge from British champ Hannah England to get her first win in over a year in 4:04.97. England was second, Rowbury third.

The rabbit took the field out in a quick 63.11 and the blue collar Erin Donohue was the only athlete to go with her. By 800 (2:08.68) Dobriskey and 2009 Worlds bronze medallist Shannon Rowbury had joined  Donohue up front with a ten meter gap back to the rest of the field which included British champ, NCAA star, and 4:01 1500m runner Hannah England.

Rowbury, Donohue and Dobriskey were still together at the bell (3:00) with Dobriskey in the lead. With 200m to go the two medalists from 2009, Dobriskey and Donohue, were clear of Donohue and battling for the win. England was trying to mount a late charge but was still probably 7-10 meters back.

As they hit the homestretch Dobriskey was in front. She would pull away the final 100m, as England kept charging from off the pace to pass Rowbury for second. Rowbury was rewarded with a season's best (4:05.73).

Coming up for 4th place in a huge pr (4:06.77, previous best 4:10.15) was American Gabrielle Anderson. If you haven't heard of Anderson or aren't impressed enough with a 3.5 second pr, how about this, she's a cancer survivor. Big props to Anderson.

QT #1: Dobriskey appears to be coming into form at the right time, but she's got a ways to go if she wants to medal again.

QT #2: Rowbury does not appear to be a medal threat in Daegu.

QT #3: Hannah England might have the best chance of the three in Daegu

1 DOBRISKEY Lisa GBR 4:04.97 2 ENGLAND Hannah GBR 4:05.38 3 ROWBURY Shannon USA 4:05.73 SB 4 ANDERSON Gabrielle USA 4:06.77 PB 5 MOSER Treniere USA 4:08.80 6 DONOHUE Erin USA 4:09.68 7 SMITH Stacey GBR 4:10.80 8 STOCKTON Stevie GBR 4:14.21 SB 9 MCGHEE Abbey GBR 4:19.92   MARACHEVA Irina RUS DNF   THOMAS Charlene GBR DNF Intermediate times: 400m Maracheva, Irina (RUS)1:03.11 800m Maracheva, Irina (RUS) 2:08.68 1200m Dobriskey, Lisa (GBR) 3:16.74

Dobriskey Over Rowbury

Women's 5000m Lauren Fleshman Destroys the Field

Until the final 500m, the weakest Diamond League 5000m field we have ever seen was about one thing running under the World Championship 5000m standard of 15:14.00. The pacing of Kaila Mcknight was nearly perfect and with 500m the real race began and American Lauren Fleshman absolutely crushed the field at this point to get the win in 15:00.57. Britain's 37-year old European 3000 indoor champ, Helen Clitheroe, pulled a Magdalena Lewy Boulet to finish second in a qualifying 15:06.75 (23 second pr). American Desiree Davila's incredible 2011 continued as the runner-up at the Boston Marathon got another pr in 15:08.64 in fourth (old pr 15:25.35) and World 10,000m team member Jen Rhines had a season's best 15:10.44 in 5th. US runner-up Amy Hastings will be at the World Champs but for the fourth time in two months she ran between 15:14-15:18 as she ran 15:17.22. That means her teammate Angela Bizzarri will not be going to Worlds.

There is not much to say about the early stages of this race except the women owe a big thank you to Kaile McKnight as she paced the first 2000m perfectly at 15:00 pace. The problem for a lot of these women is in most Golden League races is they are in way over there heads and forced to run in no-woman's land. Here, the pacing was just for them, and they were in the front of a race. The pace slowed 5 seconds each of the next 2ks, (9:05 and 12:10), but with a kick the top runners were going to be under the standard.

Most of the field was still together when Fleshman struck with 500m to go. She just sprinted away from the field like she was a different class of runner. In less than 100 meters, she opened up a 20 meter gap and would extend it the final lap (62.5) as she blasted home to the dominant victory. As good as Fleshman has been (3 time NCAA 5000m champion, 2 time USA champion) her 5000m pr is a very modest 14:58. She appears ready to smash that. It was a huge turn around from Fleshman who ran 15:27 in Stockholm a week ago.

As good as Fleshman was today, she won't be going to the World Championships. The only debate is whether Desiree Davila will get to go. Preference is given to order of finish at the US championships and Davila was sixth ahead of Fleshman in 8th. However, USATF rules say four people are allowed to chase the time for the World Championships so if the letter of the rules is followed then Davila would appear to be outa she would have been the 5th American chaser.

QT #1: Fleshmann looked great. With Huddle hurt and Flanagan in the 10,000m, America's current best 5,000m runner won't be at Worlds.

QT #2: Desiree Davila. Her dream 2011 continues.

QT #3: These women had better enjoy this one (Fleshman got $10,000 for the win) as they'd be getting crushed in most DL races.

1 FLESHMAN Lauren USA 15:00.57 SB 4 4   2 CLITHEROE Helen GBR 15:06.75 PB 2 6   3 MOMANYI Grace KEN 15:07.49 SB 1 9   4 DAVILA Desiree USA 15:08.64 PB       5 RHINES Jennifer USA 15:10.44 SB       6 YALEW Genet ETH 15:12.42       7 HASTINGS Amy USA 15:17.22       8 AUGUSTO Jessica POR 15:19.60       9 MEKASHA Waganesh ETH 15:27.97       10 BLEASDALE Julia GBR 15:49.59         MCKNIGHT Kaila AUS DNF       Intermediate times: 1000m Mcknight, Kaila (AUS) 2:59.47 2000m Mcknight, Kaila (AUS) 6:00.56 3000m Momanyi, Grace (KEN) 9:05.57 4000m Yalew, Genet (ETH) 12:10.13

Lauren Fleshman Crushes It

Women's Steeple: Milcah Chemos Wins Again As US Champ Emma Coburn PRs
Kenya's Milcah Chemos came into London as the world leader and undefeated on the year in the steeple and she left with another win as expected as she pulled away from Ethiopia's Hiwot Ayalew over the final 300 meters to win in 9:22.80 to Ayalew's new personal best of 9:23.88.

After the rabbit dropped out, Chemos had the lead until the bell when Ayalew came around her. Chemos, who all summer long, has used her kick to win Diamond League meeting after Diamond League meeting didn't like being in second as she instantly responded and took back the lead. Over the final 200, she really wasn't challenged. Chemos seemingly only was going as hard as she had to get the win as she looked over her shoulder to make sure she was comfortably in front as she approached the last water jump.

The third-placer from the Kenyan Trials Mercy Njoroge ended up third in 9:27.45 as the third member of Kenya's world championship team, Lydia Rotich, was fourth in 9:32.95.

US and NCAA champion Emma Coburn ran her own race and got under the 9:40 barrier for the first time in her career to grab top American honors in 9:37.16 to place 8th. US runner-up Bridget Franek, who ran much of the race with Coburn, ended up two spots back in 9:40.24

QT #1: If a coach ever tells you, you need to have good hurdle form to be a good steepler, please show them a tap of Chemos racing as she has no lead leg or trail leg - just two legs going sideways.

QT #2:  It was great to see Coburn PR in her first race since USAs and it shows everyone once again that her coach Mark Wetmore really knows what he's doing as she's really had a very long season. That being said, 400 meters into this race, it was glaring how far back the top Americans are from the top in the world in this event currently as there was a lead pack of 9 and then close to a 10 meter gap to the chase pack with the Americans.

Rank	Athlete	Nation	Result		Diamond Points	Diamond Ranking
1	CHEMOS Milcah	KEN	9:22.80		20	1
2	AYALEW Hiwot	ETH	9:23.88	PB	2	4
3	NJOROGE Mercy Wanjiku	KEN	9:27.45		4	3
4	ROTICH Lydia Jebet	KEN	9:32.95		1	6
5	CHEPKURUI Lidya	KEN	9:35.13
6	KRAUSE Gesa	GER	9:35.97	PB
7	BEKELE Mekdes	ETH	9:36.85	SB
8	COBURN Emma	USA	9:37.16	PB
9	KIRUI Purity	KEN	9:40.11
10	FRANEK Bridget	USA	9:40.24
11	RAMOS Beverly	PUR	9:41.87	NR
12	MCCOLGAN Eilish	GBR	9:44.80	PB
13	PARKER Barbara	GBR	9:52.25
	ALLEN Lindsay	USA	DNF
	HYMAN Mardrea	JAM	DNF
	LUSTIGOVÁ Marcela	CZE	DNF

Intermediate times:
1000m - Hyman, Mardrea (JAM) -3:07.30
2000m - Chemos, Milcah (KEN) - 6:16.21

More: LRC Friday Recap Here (Kaki over Rudisha, Dayron Robles, Yohan Blake, Kirani James)

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