I think I've finallly found the results for the 800 in Botswana. Abel Kipsang 1:44.6h. Clayton Murphy 1:45.6h.

Erik Sowinski nabs another stamp in the passport. Flies halfway around the world and gets to experience a new culture. Awesome.

This is why you get paid the big bucks. An amazing find. Well done!

Props to Clayton Murphy for exploring random continents and hemispheres to try to get back on track. Maybe Tasmania next? Tierra del Fuego?

Even though he was buried in 7th it’s not a terrible result for him at this point. That would make him a close U.S. #2 behind Hoppel so far this year. If he can work down to 1:44 low in 2 months he’ll be in great shape to make another WC team.

It was interesting as he came off the final turn in dead last or next to last but went way wide like out to lane as if he was going to mow the field down. He ended up not moving up much at all until the last 50 when he caught half the field.

The fact that he went wide shows he's confident to me. I think he may not be that far from showing a little spark. He's racing Doha this week.

Jokes aside - are there enough continents and hemispheres, by your count, to consider some "random" and some not? Tassie has a great track scene fwiw

I've always wanted to visit. Would love to watch Shipstern Bluff on a big day.

Francis in 3rd place. Led for 700+ meters. Youngest by far. Had the guts / need to get after it. PB. Congrats on the PB!

How someone running like that gets into a DL is anyone’s guess.

Murphy is an Olympic medalist, multiple time US National champion, has a 1:42.x pr and has run sub 1:44 5 of the last 7 years. Plus he's a Nike athlete.

Murphy will keep getting into meets as long he can break 1:45.

As an OG medalist, Murphy can do what he wants. It is the "system". His resume (as above) speaks for itself. It is the "up and comer" that has a difficult time getting into these meets, Murphy is NOT one of those people. Those types may only get one shot however, and if they bomb they may not get another (as an example Corey Bellemore - Beer mile guy).

The 1:44.6h is now the official mark on World Athletics. Considering Kipsang ran miles of extra distance that is legit. One thing I’ll say is he did measure his effort with few unnecessary moves, he just cruised by the entire race. Still he probably ran 810-815 meters. This is a sneaky good result.

True enough. But man, 800 is in a down cycle right? Seems like 1:47 is the new 1:44 last 2 years. Look at the list of the best 800 times of all time. Its sobering. Max Burgin and Jake Wightman are the only 2 guys running a top 90 time. Only 19 people have broken 1:44 in 2+yrs. He had good finish in doha, but his time? If DB never got injured he would be winning races by 3 seconds.

Arop and Korir ran fast last year (1:43.26 and 1:43.38). Event definitely down time-wise, but not sure you’re looking at right list. Also Moula/Kisasy ran very well yesterday…don’t let the slow times deceive -it was tactical

That’s the game. Staying healthy is THE GAME. Murphy probably would be much better off had he not got hurt in 2017.
DB getting hurt is part of it, can’t say he would have won by 3 seconds

I get it. But man there are some "tactical" 800s that seem more common than tactical everything else right now.

worldathletics.org

800 Metres - men - senior - outdoor

Open link

20 people if you include indoor.

You can blame the Diamond League for putting an 800 in on the first week of May. Not a moment where many guys are sharp and want to be going out in sub-51. I suspect the next outing in June will be much better. Wanyonyi also might lay down a marker in Kenya.

EDIT: also there’s now a trackside video of the Botswana race. The times are accurate, so very strong performances for the top 3 really