Ajee Wilson Wins Her 4th USATF Indoor 800 Crown By Going Wire To Wire in 2:01.60
by LetsRun.com
February 18, 2018
Note: There is a more extensive women’s 800m recap with analysis and post-race interviews here, with the men’s 800 recap as well.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Ajee Wilson (adidas) won her fourth US indoor 800 title this afternoon by going wire to wire to take the title in 2:01.60, as she held off her soon to be training partner in Raevyn Rogers (Nike, 2:01.74). Kaela Edwards (adidas) was third in 2:02.77. Charlene Lipsey (adidas), the fastest runner in US indoor history, continued to struggle and ended up last in 2:05.45.
The Race
Wilson grabbed the lead on the first lap but the pace (28.95) wasn’t super fast as Rogers was content to led Wilson lea. The second lap was incredibly slow – 33.36 (62.30) – meaning any chance of an American record was gone. On the backstretch of the third lap, Edwards decided it was time to start running fast and she moved past Rogers into second but Wilson sped up to keep the lead, hitting the bell in 1:33.42 after a 31.12 lap. On the last lap, Wilson really turned on the jets (28.19) to get the win, managing to hold off Rogers who went back into second just before the final turn. On the final turn, it was clearly a two person battle but Rogers, who ended up drifting way wide into lane 3 during the final 50, never could get by Wilson. Rogers did have the fastest last lap of anyone in the field at 28.04.
This is a flash recap. Check back more for a full analysis and post-race interviews.
Talk about the meet on our messageboard. MB: Official Day 2 USATF Indoors Discussion Thread.
Note: There is a more extensive women’s 800m recap with analysis and post-race interviews here, with the men’s 800 recap as well.