John Wesley Harding wrote:
sanofi sam wrote:
Surprised that they still call this a Diamond League meet. Weak fields compared to other DL meets, every year.
I know what you mean regarding past years, but I think this year’s MD/distance races are plenty intriguing.
Men’s 800 has 5 of the top 10 in the world right now IMO (Amos, Rotich, Kinyamal, Korir, Tuwei) plus the Flying Poles and Vazquez, who’s running well. It has the same pacer and top 2 finishers as last week in Monaco, when Amos broke 1:42 and Rotich moved to #15 AT. I’ll be looking to see if Korir can improve on his lackluster form.
Women’s 800 (Non-DL) should be Natoya Goule all the way.
Men’s mile (Non-DL) has at least 3 of the top 10 in the world (Tefera, Grice, and F. Ingebrigtsen) + V. Kibet, Gregson, Simotwo, Ramsden and perhaps most intriguingly, Kerr. Hometown hero Grice or Ingebrigtsen are probably favored, but don’t be surprised if Tefera gets his first win of the outdoor season—he was in 2nd place late at Pre and Lausanne (3:31.39) before fading in the stretch and his fitness seems to be improving.
Women’s 1500 is absolutely stacked: Arafi, Stafford, Embaye, Kipyegon, Klosterhalfen, Muir, Nanyondo, Tsegay and a few others who could break 4 if they’re in PB form. Kipyegon or Muir are favored but I’m interested to see what Klosterhalfen does in her first top-class 1500 of the year.
Men’s 5,000 (non-DL) will be fascinating, with Rhonex Kipruto, Jakub Ingebrigtsen, Morgan McDonald, Gebrhiwet, Kimeli, McSweyn, Tanui, Butchart, Crippa, & several of the other top Brits and Aussies. Very curious to see if Rhonex has the speed to go well under 13 some day, and how Jakub and McDonald will fare. I think smart money’s on the proven 5k ace Gebrhiwet in this one.
Women’s 5,000 features Hassan, who’s on a roll with 8:18 & 4:12y, Obiri, Gidey, Kipkemboi, Kipkirui, McColgan, Rengeruk, Weightman, and Tirop. Hassan seems like the biggest threat to the WR since Ayana a few years back, but was outkicked by Kipkemboi in her one 5,000 this season. Keep an eye out for Letsenbet Gidey, only 21 years old, she ran 14:23 last year and made the 2019 Pre Classic 3k the great race it was by pushing the pace once the pacers had dropped.
All in all I’m excited for this meet.