Men’s 600: David Rudisha Goes For World’s Best, Settles For Dominant Victory at Birmingham Grand Prix

by LetsRun.com
August 24, 2014

David Rudisha went for Johnny Gray‘s 1:12.81 the world’s record (technically called a world’s best as it’s not an official distance) in the men’s 600 today at the 2014 Sainsbury’s Birmingham Grand Prix, but had to settle for a dominating victory over European champ Adam Kszczot in a 2014 world leading time of 1:13.71.

Kszczot never challenged Rudisha and was second in 1:14.69.

Rudisha wins

The Race

Rudisha certainly went for it as he hit 200 with a small lead over American Cas Loxsom in 23.25. At 400 (47.65), the only person within striking distance was Loxsom who was just a few meters back in something right around 48 flat. The rest of the field was more than a full second behind Rudisha at 400.

Coming off the final turn, it was clear that Loxsom had bit off more than he could chew as he tied up big time and faded to next to last (1:16.48). Rudisha himself started to tire as well halfway home. Visibly grimacing, he kept pushing through the finish line and got the dominant win as the field only gained on him a little bit over the last 100.

“I thought maybe I’d get a bit closer to the world record and probably (run) 1:12,” said Rudisha with a smile after the race to the BBC. “It’s a little bit tricky (of a distance) as it’s hard to get the first 400 right. It’s very difficult to get the right pace.”

“I felt so good except for the last 100 I felt my leg tiring up,” said Rudisha who added he’d like to try a 600 again in the coming years. “Maybe I’ll be in the world record bracket.”

Quick Thought #1: Kudos to Rudisha and Loxsom for going for it. What was the rest of the field thinking? They seemed to almost forget it was a 600 and ran it like an 800.

There is only one way to run a 600, get our hard and hold on. The rest of the field besides Loxsom and Rudisha certainly didn’t do that. Yes, Loxsom paid a steep price for his ambition but the other guys simply didn’t run fast. Only two people broke 1:15 in a 600?

1:14 is a good 600 split in an 800 for Rudisha. Remember, Rudisha split 1:14.30 in the middle of his London Olympic world record. The other guys should have gone out faster.

Quick Thought #2: It’s easier said than done to get out fast, particularly when the wind isn’t helping you.

American Erik Sowinski ran 1:15.79 for fifth. That’s not a horrible time. His American record indoors is 1:15.61. Loxsom’s PB for the distance is 1:14.84 and he ran 1:15.42 for 600 indoors on an over-sized track at Big 10s while in college.

One thing about the times. The runners ended up running into the wind on two turns and only got it at their backs once as all of the sprints were run into head-winds today and this race started where the 200 meters starts.

 Quick Thought #3: The race in pictures below. Click for a larger image.

Discuss this race and the meet in our fan forum: Official 2014 Birmingham DL Live Discussion Thread – Rudisha goes for 600 WR!!!

Loxsom stayed close for 200

Close to 300 in

The finish

Rudisha wins

600 is a hard distance

This one hurt