Sunday, 24 January 2010
Baddeley and Donohue take mile victories in New York
Another New Balance Games mile victory for Andy Baddeley (Victah Sailer)
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New York, USA – Andy Baddeley of Great Britain and Erin Donohue of the USA ran to solid victories in the mile at the 15th New Balance Games at the Armory Track and Field Center in New York on Saturday (23).
Baddeley, the 2008 winner of Oslo’s Dream Mile, clocked 3:55.64, an indoor personal best for the 27-year-old. Donohue clocked 4:28.92, also an indoor career best.
In the men’s race, Baddeley sat slightly off the pace as the pack rounded 400 metres in 59.2 and 800 in 1:59.5. From there, the Briton turned up the pace to finish in 3:55.64 with fellow countrymen Ricky Stevenson and training partner Mark Draper close behind in 3:56.31 and 3:56.80, respectively.
New Zealander Adrian Blincoe kicked in to stop the clock in 3:58.33 to round out the top four who each dipped under four minutes.
Baddeley will remain in New York City this week to challenge Bernard Lagat in the Wanamaker Mile on Friday night at the Millrose Games. Lagat will be targeting a record eighth victory in the race.
On the women’s side, Donohue followed closely behind the pace maker Leslie Higgins through the first 400 metres (66.0) and continued to the halfway mark in 2:16.3. After Higgins stepped off the track, Donohue took control of the race and never looked back, finishing in 4:28.92. Canadian Nicole Edwards closed strong to take second in 4:29.42. University of Tennessee alumni Sarah Bowman (4:32.14) rounded out the top three in her first track race as a professional runner.
Former Villanova standout Frances Koons ran an inspiring race finishing fourth after recovering from kidney cancer.
In the women’s 400m, Natasha Hastings used her home track advantage to swing wide on the final turn to make the most of the bank to take the win despite getting tangled with Guyana’s Aliann Pompey at the break line. Hastings seemed encouraged with her season opening time of 52.68, using the performance as a gauge for her current fitness.
Daniel Greene (organisers) for the IAAF
Leading Results -
Men:
Mile-
1. Andy Baddeley, GBR 3:55.64 (3:40.6 1500m en route)
2. Ricky Stevenson, GBR 3:56.31 (3:41.1)
3. Mark Draper, GBR 3:56.80 (3:41.5)
4. Adrian Blincoe, NZL 3:58.33
5. Tim Konoval, CAN 4:01.64
Women:
Mile -
1. Erin Donohue, USA 4:28.92 (4:12.0 1500m en route)
2. Nicole Edwards, CAN 4:29.42 (4:12.4)
3. Sarah Bowman, USA 4:32.14 (4:13.6)
4. Frances Koons, USA 4:33.24 (4:15.0)
5. Hilary Stellingweff, CAN 4:35.12
400m -
1. Natasha Hastings, USA 52.68
2. Ajoke Odumosu, NGR 53.27
3. Aliann Pompey, GUY 53.68
Baddeley, the 2008 winner of Oslo’s Dream Mile, clocked 3:55.64, an indoor personal best for the 27-year-old. Donohue clocked 4:28.92, also an indoor career best.
In the men’s race, Baddeley sat slightly off the pace as the pack rounded 400 metres in 59.2 and 800 in 1:59.5. From there, the Briton turned up the pace to finish in 3:55.64 with fellow countrymen Ricky Stevenson and training partner Mark Draper close behind in 3:56.31 and 3:56.80, respectively.
New Zealander Adrian Blincoe kicked in to stop the clock in 3:58.33 to round out the top four who each dipped under four minutes.
Baddeley will remain in New York City this week to challenge Bernard Lagat in the Wanamaker Mile on Friday night at the Millrose Games. Lagat will be targeting a record eighth victory in the race.
On the women’s side, Donohue followed closely behind the pace maker Leslie Higgins through the first 400 metres (66.0) and continued to the halfway mark in 2:16.3. After Higgins stepped off the track, Donohue took control of the race and never looked back, finishing in 4:28.92. Canadian Nicole Edwards closed strong to take second in 4:29.42. University of Tennessee alumni Sarah Bowman (4:32.14) rounded out the top three in her first track race as a professional runner.
Former Villanova standout Frances Koons ran an inspiring race finishing fourth after recovering from kidney cancer.
In the women’s 400m, Natasha Hastings used her home track advantage to swing wide on the final turn to make the most of the bank to take the win despite getting tangled with Guyana’s Aliann Pompey at the break line. Hastings seemed encouraged with her season opening time of 52.68, using the performance as a gauge for her current fitness.
Daniel Greene (organisers) for the IAAF
Leading Results -
Men:
Mile-
1. Andy Baddeley, GBR 3:55.64 (3:40.6 1500m en route)
2. Ricky Stevenson, GBR 3:56.31 (3:41.1)
3. Mark Draper, GBR 3:56.80 (3:41.5)
4. Adrian Blincoe, NZL 3:58.33
5. Tim Konoval, CAN 4:01.64
Women:
Mile -
1. Erin Donohue, USA 4:28.92 (4:12.0 1500m en route)
2. Nicole Edwards, CAN 4:29.42 (4:12.4)
3. Sarah Bowman, USA 4:32.14 (4:13.6)
4. Frances Koons, USA 4:33.24 (4:15.0)
5. Hilary Stellingweff, CAN 4:35.12
400m -
1. Natasha Hastings, USA 52.68
2. Ajoke Odumosu, NGR 53.27
3. Aliann Pompey, GUY 53.68