AFP
Reigning 400-meter world outdoor champion Kirani James was among four runners to set this year’s indoor world-best times in triumphs at the USA Track and Field Classic.
James won the 400 in 45.19 seconds with Demetrius Pinder of Bahamas second in 45.40 as some top runners compete indoors looking to the London Olympics.
“I had a great run,” James said. “Only good things come out of a day like today. My main motivation right now is to stay healthy and stay focused on each race one at a time. I’m very happy.”
Jamaica’s Lerone Clarke won the men’s 60 meters in a world-leading 6.52 with US veteran Justin Gatlin, the 2004 Olympic 100m champion back after serving a doping ban, second in 6.57, the same time as compatriot Trell Kimmons.
“I’ve been training hard,” Clarke said. “I’ve been practicing to execute. I did it in the prelims and went back and did it in the finals. I went out there got out of the blocks and ran hard.”
American Tianna Madison set a world-best in 60m preliminaries and broke it by .03 in the final, which she won in 7.05, edging Jamaican reigning world champion Veronica Campbell-Brown in 7.08 with Christine Ahoure of Ivory Coast third in 7.09.
“It always feels good to win, but that wasn’t the focus,” Madison said. “The focus was on nationals and getting better for that meet. I felt really good.”
Kenyan Silas Kiplagat won the men’s mile in a season-leading 3:52.63 to edge countryman Caleb Ndiku by .03.
“I’m definitely happy with where I’m at with still plenty of time to improve before this summer,” Kiplagat said. “I felt good coming into this race and this is the most experienced I’ve been where I know what to expect. Now I’ll be able to take this as I move forward and try to improve my time even more.”
Jillian Camarena-Williams broke her American record in the women’s shot put with a winning effort of 19.89m while Galen Rupp broke Bernard Lagat’s two-mile US mark of 8:10.07 with a victory in 8:09.72.
Morocco’s Siham Hilali won the women’s 1,500 in 4:09.36, edging compatriot Btissam Lakhouad by .36 of a second.
Reigning US champion Ryan Whiting won the men’s shot put with a 21.43m effor, second-best in the world this year.
