Birmingham Diamond League Recap: Mo Farah Gets European 2 Mile Record, Valerie Adams Hasn’t Lost in 4 Plus Years, Mercy Cherono Wins

by: LetsRun.com
August 24, 2014

The regular season of the Diamond League came to an end in Birmingham, England on Sunday. All that is left is the 2 Diamond League finales in Zurich (August 28) and Brussels (September 5).

In Birmingham, David Rudisha went for the 600m world record and came up short, Asbel Kiprop won the mile as the 2 Americans came up short of sub 3:50, Lynsey Sharp got her first 800m DL win as the Ajee Wilson win streak came to an end,  and the steeple saw a dominant victory where Jairus Birech won despite crawling over the final barrier. We recap all those stories separately at the links above.

Below we highlight the rest of the meet which saw Mo Farah get the European 2 mile record and Valerie Adams extend her winning streak beyond 4 years.

M 2 Mile: Mo Farah Gets European Record And Does it Mean Anything?

American high schooler Grant Fisher will not end the year with the fastest 2 mile in the world.

Mo Farah, coming off his European 5,000m-10,000m double, put on an exhibition versus a weak field, running an 8:07.85 European record for two miles to win by nearly 15 seconds over New Zealand’s Commonwealth Games 5000 bronze medallist Zane Robertson. Emmanuel Bett was third and Jordan McNamara moved up well to finish fourth.

Mo Farah Pushed Hard on His Own

The rabbit took the field through the mile in roughly 4:07, increased the tempo the next lap and then it was all Farah. Farah kept the pressure on and soon was just racing the clock. Farah, well in front, was not content to get the win as he wanted the European record. He went 60.93, 59.98, and 57.1 over the final three laps to get the dominant victory on his twins’ second birthday.

Afterwards he said to the BBC, “It was a bit windy… I didn’t want to go too crazy early on. I felt quite a bit bad early on, but towards the end of the race I felt good.” As for his twins’ birthday, he said, “I wanted to show them what daddy could do.”

Daddy can still run pretty fast. Too bad this wasn’t versus a world-class field.

Quick Take: What Does This Mean?

It’s hard to make sense of this victory as the 2 mile is so seldomly run. For reference, Matt Tegenkamp’s American record is 8:07.07. No doubt Farah is in sub-13:00 shape right now, but it’s impossible to say how he’d do versus the world’s best because Farah is ducking the top competition on the track this year and will not run the Diamond League finale in Zurich.

Farah is a global star in the sport now and gets paid very well to be one even if he doesn’t have to race the world’s best. Money talks, for let’s not forget that Farah did race the world’s best this year at the London Marathon when he was paid a ton of money to do it. Next year with the World Champs, Farah will have to take on the world’s best. We look forward to 2015 as 2014 has been a disappointing year for the 5000m on the track.

Video highlights for USA visitors.

W 2 mile Mercy Cherono over Genzebe Dibaba in DL Finale Preview

Final Turn

This race featured Diamond League 3000/2 mile/5000 leaders Genzebe Dibaba of Ethiopia and Mercy Cherono of Kenya. After an opening mile of 4:43, it came down to a three-way battle over the final 100m between Cherono, Dibaba and sub-4:00 1500 runner Viola Kibiwot. Cherono was clearly best as she ran 9:11.49 to move to #2 all-time on the outdoor list. Dibaba looked tired and faded back to fourth behind Irene Jelegat of Kenya.

Former Iowa State star Betsy Saina got another PR (she’s dropped her 5k from 15:12 to 14:39 this year) in 4th. Susan Kuijken, the former Florida State star who was the European bronze medallists at 5000m, hung with the leaders until two laps to go until she got tripped up in the pack.

Although Cherono won today, Dibaba still can win the DL title if she wins in the finale in Brussels, which is a 3000.

QT: Someone Needs to Reign Dibaba In
Genzebe Dibaba is a super-talented woman looking for a distance and an identity. Thursday night, she ran the 1500m in Stockholm, but went out way too fast and held on gamely for a second-place finish.

This afternoon, she looked tired on the final lap. A more sensible early pace in Stockholm and Dibaba likely would have won there, and then had a little more here the final 100m. Will she rest up for the DL finale on September 5th in Brussels? A win in there would be worth $50,000.

As we said above, we recapped the other distance races in separate articles. See below.

M 600 David Rudisha Wins, Misses World Record (Recap here)

Men’s Mile: Asbel Kiprop Returns to the Podium as Leo and Centro Don’t Joing Sub 3:50 Club (recap here)

Men’s Steeple: Jairus Birech Crawls Over Final Barrier But Wins (Recap here)

Women’s 800: Lynsey Sharp Wins as Ajee Wilson Fades, Brenda Martinez Returns (Recap here)

W Shot Valerie Adams Winning Streak Extends Past 4 Years

To the surprise of no one, New Zealand’s Valerie Adams won again, as her 19.96 first throw would hold up as the best of the competition. Her win streak celebrated its four-year anniversary on Monday and now stands at 55. Amazing.

M 400: Kirani James Wins Commonwealth Champ, European Champ, African Champ Match-up

Kirani James had no problem winning this matchup between the Commonwealth Champ (James), the European Champ (Martyn Rooney) and the African Champ (Isaac Makwala), as Makwala was second and Rooney third. Matthew Hudson Smith, Britain’s newest 400m star who moved up from the 100 and 200 this year, to run 44.75 for silver at Europeans struggled today in 46.60.

LaShawn Merritt despite being 1 for 3 this year vs Kirani James has already wrapped up the Diamond League title, but hopefully they square off one final time in Zurich.

Video for USA visitors:

M HJ Mutaz Barshim Wins Another Great High Jump

High jumping has never been better world-wide than it has this year. Today Mutaz Barshim got the win at 2.38 on countbacks vs Bohdan Bondarenko. This was another Diamond League meet record although it was the first time in the DL this year the winner wasn’t over 2.40.

A Look at the Diamond League Winning Marks
Doha 2.41 MR (Ukhov)
Rome 2.41 MR (Barshim)
New York 2.42 MR (Bondarenko)
Lausanne 2.40 (not meet record) (Bondarenko)
Monaco 2.40 MR (Bondarenko)
Birmingham 2.38 MR (Barshim)

RANK	ATHLETE	NATION	RESULT		DIAMOND POINTS	DIAMOND RANKING			2.20 2.41	2.24	2.28	2.32	2.35	2.38
1	BARSHIM Mutaz Essa	QAT	2.38	MR	12	2			– xxx	o	o	o	o	xxo
2	BONDARENKO Bohdan	UKR	2.38	=MR	16	1			– xxx	–	xo	–	o	xxo
3	DROUIN Derek	CAN	2.32		3	4			o	o	o	xxo	xxx
4	KYNARD Erik	USA	2.32		3	4			o	o	xo	xxo	xxx
5	THEINER Wojciech	POL	2.24						o	o	xxx
6	BAKER Chris	GBR	2.24						o	xo	xxx
7	WILLIAMS Jesse	USA	2.24						o	xxo	xxx
8	FASSINOTTI Marco	ITA	2.20						xxo	xxx

W 100 A Bad Day for the Americans

This was not a good event for the Americans. 2014 world leader Tori Bowie pulled up in pain midway through the race and did not finish. Meanwhile, Allyson Felix did not even make the final after running 11.30 to place fourth in her prelim.

With the two Americans out of the picture, Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Kerron Stewart took the victory in a blanket finish, running 11.22.

Quick Take: This puts Tori Bowie in a tough spot.

Bowie has a comfortable lead in the Diamond Race standings, with 12 points (second-place Stewart has 7 and no one else has more than 4). Bowie’s injury did not look good and there’s a decent chance she won’t be able to run the Diamond League finale in Zurich on Thursday. Still, the only person who could catch her is Stewart, who would need to win in Zurich to do so.

However, the Diamond Race rules state that an athlete must run the finale to be eligible for the win and Bowie looks as if she will need more than four days to recover from her injury. An IAAF official needs to step in right now and sort this out before something silly happens like Bowie showing up and jogging 100 meters in Zurich.

Making Bowie eligible for the title if she’s hurt and can’t compete in Zurich should be an easy decision. She was hurt during a Diamond League event so the IAAF would basically be punishing her for appearing at one of its races. Winning the Diamond Race would be a major coup for Bowie — not only is it a $40,000 payday, but it also guarantees her entry into Worlds next year. Bottom line, stars need to be rewarded for racing, not punished.

Video for USA Visitors:

Final, wind: -1.1

W 100 hurdles: Harper Nelswon Wins to Stay Alive in DL Chase

Sally Pearson got off to a good start but by the 8th hurdle Dawn Harper Nelson and Queen Harrison came by to get the lead with Harper-Nelson winning to prevent Queen Harrison from winning the DL title. If either of them wins in the finale, they will win the title.

Video for USA Visitors:

W 400 The Brits Make Sure Christine Ohuruogo Wins

The British meet directors often do their best to make the British stars win their events. That happened here as former Olympic champ Ohuruogo got the win versus a weak field.

M 100 Jamaica Goes 1-2 Into Headwind

Jamaica’s Kemar Bailey-Cole came from behind to defeat Stockholm DL winner Nesta Carter but only ran 10.08 as there was a -1.9 m/s wind.

Final, wind: -1.9

W 400 Hurdles: The Kaliese Spencer Show Continues

Great Britain’s Eilidh Child was close to Jamaica’s Kaliese Spencer on the back stretch, but as she did at the Commonwealth Games, Spencer ran away from Child, getting the win in a quick 53.80. Spencer already had the Diamond Race locked up before the race and she is even further out in front now with 22 points. U.S. champ Kori Carter fell on the back stretch going over a hurdle and didn’t finish.

M 200 Nick Ashmeade Defeats a Rusty Alonso Edward in Preview of DL Final

This one was a preview of the Diamond League final. Here Nickel Ashmeade, the current DL leader, took on the resurgent in 2014 Alonso Edward of Panama. Here Ashmeade took the lead on the turn and held on to win in 20.33 to Edward’s 20.35. Edward looked like a guy who hadn’t raced in 7 weeks as he was not sharp at all. The Diamond League final in Zurich next week should be more interesting as $50,000 will be on the line between Ashmeade and Edward, plus Tyson Gay will be in the race.

Final, wind: -0.3

M LJ Triple Jump Specialist Christian Taylor Wins by 1 Centimeter

British-based American Christian Taylor took a break from his specialty, the triple jump, and won by one centimeter on his final attempt, jumping 8.09m for the win. The top five were separated by just eight centimeters, with Olympic/Commonwealth/European champ Greg Rutherford just fourth in front of the home fans.

Video for USA visitors:

RANK	ATHLETE	NATION	RESULT WIND		DIAMOND POINTS	DIAMOND RANKING			1.	2.	3.	4.	5.	6.
1	TAYLOR Christian	USA	8.09 +0.6	SB	6	2			7.76 (+0.2)	x (+0.5)	7.95 (+0.2)	x (0.0)	7.86 (+0.5)	8.09 (+0.6)
2	VISSER Zarck	RSA	8.08 +1.7		2	8			x (+1.0)	8.08 (+1.7)	7.91 (+0.1)	6.87 (+0.2)	–	–
3	LI Jinzhe	CHN	8.06 +0.8		6	2			7.72 (+0.1)	8.06 (+0.8)	x (+0.7)	x (+0.8)	x (+0.5)	x (+0.1)
4	RUTHERFORD Greg	GBR	8.04 +0.6		2	8			7.85 (+0.9)	7.93 (+0.9)	8.04 (+0.6)	7.82 (+1.2)	7.89 (+0.9)	7.98 (+1.3)
5	HENDERSON Jeff	USA	8.01 0.0		8	1			7.98 (+0.3)	x (+0.3)	–	7.82 (+1.1)	7.60 (+0.6)	8.01 (0.0)
6	HARTFIELD Michael	USA	7.85 +0.9						7.41 (+1.9)	7.62 (+0.1)	7.73 (+0.1)	x (+0.6)	7.85 (+0.9)	7.77 (+0.4)
7	TORNÉUS Michel	SWE	7.79 +0.9		1	10			7.72 (+1.2)	x (-0.3)	x (+0.9)	7.79 (+0.9)	6.20 (+1.0)	–
8	TOMLINSON Chris	GBR	7.73 +0.3						7.73 (+0.3)	7.63 (-0.2)	7.59 (+1.2)	7.36 (+0.3)	7.65 (-0.1)	7.48 (+0.2)

M Discus Robert Harting Wins

World/Olympic champ Robert Harting of Germany had no problem in this one, going 67.57 on his final throw to win by over 2 meters. He will need some help to get by Diamond Race leader Piotr Malachowski in the DL finale, however, as Harting has 12 points to Malachowski’s 18.

RANK	ATHLETE	NATION	RESULT WIND		DIAMOND POINTS	DIAMOND RANKING			1.	2.	3.	4.	5.	6.
1	HARTING Robert	GER	67.57		12	2			x	63.18	66.27	x	x	67.57
2	MALACHOWSKI Piotr	POL	64.98		18	1			62.86	63.40	x	64.98	x	x
3	URBANEK Robert	POL	64.27		1	6			62.26	62.57	64.27	62.38	62.35	62.35
4	KANTER Gerd	EST	64.21		3	4			x	59.87	64.21	x	x	61.45
5	GOWDA Vikas	IND	62.78		2	5			60.74	59.89	62.34	62.78	60.04	61.87
6	HARRADINE Benn	AUS	62.23						54.71	60.43	62.23	x	x	x
7	STÅHL Daniel	SWE	60.96						59.56	x	x	x	x	60.96
8	MORSE Brett	GBR	59.66						x	55.93	59.66	x	x	x

W Pole vault: Only 7 Clearances All Day Long

The conditions were poor for the men’s pole vault in Stockholm on Thursday and they weren’t much better for the women on Sunday in Birmingham as there were only seven clearances in the competition. Greece’s Katerina Stefanidi was the only woman to clear more than one height and her clearance of 4.57 meters was good enough to deliver the win.

RANK	ATHLETE	NATION	RESULT		DIAMOND POINTS	DIAMOND RANKING			4.32	4.47	4.57	4.73
1	STEFANIDI Katerina	GRE	4.57		7	3			xo	xo	xo	xxx
2	KYRIAKOPOULOU Nikoleta	GRE	4.47		6	4			–	o	xxx
3	SUHR Jennifer	USA	4.47		5	5			–	xo	xxx
4	SAXER Mary	USA	4.32						xo	xxx
4	ŠUTEJ Tina	SLO	4.32						xo	xxx
	BOYD Alana	AUS	NM						xxx
	MURER Fabiana	BRA	NM		12	1			–	xxx
	SVOBODOVÁ Jirina	CZE	NM						xxx

W Triple Jump: Catarine Ibarguen Wins and Secures DL Title

The Columbian got the win with her first jump, but for good measure her final jump would have won as well.

RANK	ATHLETE	NATION	RESULT WIND		DIAMOND POINTS	DIAMOND RANKING			1.	2.	3.	4.	5.	6.
1	IBARGUEN Caterine	COL	14.52 0.0		20	1			14.52 (0.0)	14.34 (-0.4)	14.33 (-0.6)	–	14.33 (+0.5)	14.39 (-0.4)
2	RYPAKOVA Olga	KAZ	14.37 0.0		2	4			13.60 (+0.7)	14.13 (-0.2)	x (+0.4)	14.33 (+0.5)	x (-0.5)	14.37 (0.0)
3	URRUTIA Yosiris	COL	14.14 +0.9		2	4			13.97 (+0.1)	13.91 (0.0)	12.75 (-0.8)	13.73 (+0.3)	14.02 (+0.2)	14.14 (+0.9)
4	WILLIAMS Kimberly	JAM	14.04 +0.1		6	2			13.75 (0.0)	14.04 (+0.1)	13.77 (-0.2)	x (+0.1)	13.77 (-0.2)	14.03 (+0.8)
5	NDOUMBE Ruth	ESP	13.78 +0.2						x (-0.2)	13.78 (+0.2)	x (-0.8)	x (+0.8)	x (+0.1)	x (+0.3)
6	VELDÁKOVÁ Dana	SVK	13.69 -0.2						x (-0.1)	x (-0.1)	13.69 (-0.2)	x (+1.0)	x (+0.6)	x (+0.2)
7	SAMUEL Laura	GBR	13.63 -0.2						x (-0.4)	x (0.0)	13.63 (-0.2)	x (-0.2)	x (-0.1)	13.38 (-0.5)
	ALDAMA Yamilé	GBR	NM						x (-0.3)	–	–	–	–	–

W Javelin Canada’s Gleadle Gets First DL Win

Canada’s Elizabeth Gleadle was only fifth in the Commonwealth Games but she threw well in Birmingham, missing her PR by one centimeter, to clinch her first Diamond League victory.

RANK	ATHLETE	NATION	RESULT WIND		DIAMOND POINTS	DIAMOND RANKING			1.	2.	3.	4.	5.	6.
1	GLEADLE Elizabeth	CAN	64.49		4	5			60.55	64.49	x	x	62.37	60.40
2	ŠPOTÁKOVÁ Barbora	CZE	62.89		14	1			62.54	62.89	x	57.99	58.71	62.28
3	STAHL Linda	GER	62.75		5	3			58.60	60.04	x	59.24	x	62.75
4	RATEJ Martina	SLO	60.72		10	2			57.42	58.38	59.52	57.07	56.96	60.72
5	PALAMEIKA Madara	LAT	59.45		1	7			57.01	59.45	x	x	57.80	56.31
6	MITCHELL Kathryn	AUS	59.36		2	6			59.36	x	x	x	57.67	58.24
7	MOLITOR Katharina	GER	55.55						x	55.52	x	x	55.55	x
8	JELACA Tatjana	SRB	53.73						51.29	51.45	53.62	53.73	x	50.51

More Birmingham:
M 600 David Rudisha Wins, Misses World Record (Recap here)
Men’s Mile: Asbel Kiprop Returns to the Podium as Leo and Centro Don’t Joing Sub 3:50 Club (recap here)
Men’s Steeple: Jairus Birech Crawls Over Final Barrier But Wins (Recap here)
Women’s 800: Lynsey Sharp Wins as Ajee Wilson Fades, Brenda Martinez Returns (Recap here)