Ingebrigtsen, Thompson-Herah, Mu shine in Pre Classic’s record-setting return to Hayward Field
"Being able to win races is every athlete’s dream. It’s great to be able to be here and take part in this great meet."
By Chris Hansen, Register-Guard
By the time the Bowerman Mile runners lined up for the final event of the Prefontaine Classic, there had been eight meet records, six world-leading marks and two Diamond League records already set.
Jakob Ingebrigtsen made sure to add his name to that group of record-setters.
The 20-year-old Norwegian who won Olympic gold two weeks ago in Tokyo, won the Pre Classic’s signature event Saturday afternoon at Hayward Field in 3 minutes, 47.24 seconds, which was also a national record and a U.S. All-Comers outdoor record.
"Obviously racing at Hayward Field is always a great experience for Milers," Ingebrigtsen said. "Always a great time racing here. Being able to run this fast and take the win is just amazing."
Ingebrigtsen stormed past front-running Australian Stewart McSweyn with 250 meters to go and kicked hard for the win.
McSweyn was second in 3:48.40 and two-time Bowerman Mile champion Timothy Cheruiyot of Kenya was third in 3:51.17.
"I really enjoy racing and competing," Ingebrigtsen said. "Being able to win races is every athlete’s dream. It’s great to be able to be here and take part in this great meet."
Matthew Centrowitz, the former Oregon standout and the 2016 Olympic gold medalist, was ninth in 3:53.32. Centrowitz started the race running from the back and had no chance to catch up when Ingebrigtsen and McSweyn pushed the pace.
The meet marked the return of the Pre Classic to Hayward Field after a three-year absence due to the stadium renovation and the 2020 meet getting canceled because of COVID-19. An announced crowd of 8,937 was on hand, making it the largest crowd at Hayward Field since in reopened in April.
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