This is an ABSOLUTELY AMAZING read. Michigan's Geoff Burns thinks BU is so fast as it a) has wood boards and b) has a high bank (18% vs 10% on most tracks) that is c) asymmetrical (it reaches its peak early in the turn, not the middle and then tapers off late). It's so fast that he wouldn't rule out Tim C or Jakob breaking 3:40 in the mile on it.
*SC This Geoff Burns article on what makes the BU track (and super shoes) so fast is AMAZING. He says Jakob might break 3:40 on it
We take a look back at the NCAA conference meets from last week and wonder if Donavan Brazier would have even made the final at SECs. We also give out some praise to Josh Kerr and Yalemzerf Yehualaw.
Spain's duo of Adel Mechaal (7:35.26) and Mohamed Katir (7:35.73) were 3rd and 4th. In the men's 800, Elliot Giles broke the MR (1:45.43) and Gudaf Tsegay won the women's 1500 in 3:57.38. This was the final gold event before World Indoors and Ethiopian athletes won the wildcard in the women's 800, 1500 and 3k as well as men's 1500 and 3000 (standings here).
Elle Purrier St. Pierre ran like she had something to prove and Ajee' Wilson made another USA title look too easy.
Cole Hocker got his 2nd USA title in 2 days with a ferocious last lap and Bryce Hoppel reminded us he is very good.
Brazier was up until 3 a.m. last night and was only able to run because he wasn't able to get on a 6 a.m. flight home on Sunday.
He broke Peter Elliott's 1990 British record and Eamonn Coghlan's European record from 1983.
*MB: Josh Kerr runs 3:48.86 mile at BU
The world half marathon bronze medalist destroyed the 29:38 record set by Bahrain’s Kalkidan Gezahegne last year. Her 5k split was 14:28 (one of the fastest 5k times in history). The men’s race was won by Kenya's Ronald Kwemoi in 27:16.
*MB: BREAKING!!! Yalemzerf runs 29:14
Emmanuel Bor was second but no one could match Hocker's 26.69 last lap. Hocker did not commit to Worlds but will run the 1500 at USAs on Sunday.
MacLean beat her training partner for the first time in 16 attempts while Josette Norris edged out Purrier St. Pierre for second by .01.
The big names made it to the 800m finals, but Brazier was DQ'd then put in the 400 m final a day later.
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‒ Geoff Burns writing about what makes the BU Track (and super shoes) so fast.