Emma Coburn pulls a Meb - gaps field early and shockingly wins Shanghai DL

If you listen to the announcers they were saying, "I really don't know who requests this pace.." about the rabbit being asked to go out in 3:02-3:03. True, she went out at not quite that (3:08), but she showed no hesitation from the beginning in going after the rabbit (whether she requested it or not) and ran her own race without looking back. Sure did shut up all those criticizing her for calling out those who request a fast pace and don't go with it:

http://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?board=1&id=5644557&thread=5643103#5644557

Congrats to her! Can't wait to see the rest of the season!

The IAAF.org story of the meet, written by an Australian, doesn't even mention Coburn's race, nor the 1500 with Aregawi and Simpson.

Reminds me of a 1500m in the early 80s or maybe even 79, when Tom Byers went off ahead of Steve Ovett and the field, was only the pacemaker, ran about 1:53 at 800m and the field was about 60 meters back in 2:00 plus. Ovett ran about 50 or 51 on the last lap but Byers hung on for the win.

Here it is:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28_WpclPgTo

"Rabbit wins in Oslo (1981)"

well that was incredible. Emma you are awesome. Hardwork , dedication, natural talent and super model beauty.

way to go, you just woke up the track world.

Way to go Emma. It's good to see her get her pro steeple chase debut off on the right foot. It was a shame she had to sit out last season, but it looks like she didn't miss a beat. Definately a good training group they have going up in Boulder.

What a marvelous race. Thank you.

I like how her hair swishes sultrily back and forth. But her form is spooky.

Any body have a link to the entire race? Or an interview?

She crushed that race. I have NEVER seen a Diamond League race dominated like that. How surprised the Africans must have been.Get your tickets to Pre!!

Not an interview, but she gives a little shout out on her Facebook site, which is definately worth a visit. OMG!

https://www.facebook.com/Emmacoburnsteeple#

!/Emmacoburnsteeple

jungleroy59 wrote:

Reminds me of a 1500m in the early 80s or maybe even 79, when Tom Byers went off ahead of Steve Ovett and the field, was only the pacemaker, ran about 1:53 at 800m and the field was about 60 meters back in 2:00 plus. Ovett ran about 50 or 51 on the last lap but Byers hung on for the win.

YES!! That was a classic - Byers was an absolute animal and stole the show that day.

Emma Coburn is simply stop-the-clock beautiful with a beautiful running form to boot. Beauty, grace and power!

Anyone remembers a few months ago when Emma got lambasted on LRC for not following the rabbit when Mary Cain and the field went out jogging?

http://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=5643103&page=0

Well, that smart blonde has learned. And she deserved the win.

fantastic, courageous run. I've often wondered why no one goes with the rabbit when they are not going at a crazy pace, because that often gives you a chance to get a huge lead. And she not only ran just 7 seconds off the American record, but also was solo for the last 2k and only sped up.

I like Emma's gap much more than Meb's.

I was struck by her way back in her freshman year when she set the AJR. There is something very calm and centered about her that uncharacteristic of runner girls, like it's all for fun and she feels fortunate but not overinvested in her own success. Definitely one a million ....or ten.

And then there's Jenny....Wetmore is The Wizard for sure.

There are usually only about 2 fast steeples every year; 9:19 would put you in the mix for winning just about all the not so fast ones and would be competitive in the fast ones as well. With that said, if Emma can run pretty much that same pace, put in a faster last lap and sprint coming out that last barrier, she will be a medal threat. - Right now, her 1500m PR suggest she is not there yet...just keeping it real.

How on earth is Emma not on Wheaties boxes and SportsCenter?

What a great American success story, appealing to men and women. Jenny, too. America should be encouraged to watch Mary Cain mature. We used to do this well with our tennis players such as Evert and Austin and with gymnasts. I think watching Emma gap the field would be compelling to many.

I am with Wheaties Box man. Sports Center only talks about NBA.......boring. I still can't figure out how Emma gaps the field like that. Brave of her to go for it, but weird of the Africans. Kim Conley ran an indoor race like that in Boston.

Season is young but I like the American mid to distance runners. Young, hungry, savvy and in Emma's case.........hot

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-6G7zj-C1I#t=76