prefontaine classic and christian cantwell and jeremy wariner and matt scherer

Two events that were not contested at Eugene, and where there is the possibility of new records, are the men's 5,000 and 10,000 meters. Neither was run in Eugene because of the signal importance of the "Bowerman Mile" at that event as well as the infrequently-run but favorite-of-Steve Prefontaine-2 mile run. Thus, all the talent was in these two events, and some impressive times were turned in. I was most impressed by the two Americans in the two mile. Both Adam Goucher (8:12.29) and Daniel Lincoln (8:12.73) turned in times that were only one second off the American record at this distance, set by Alan Webb last year. Both finished less than three seconds behind the Kenyan winner (Ben Limo) and Lincoln was only 1.5 seconds behind the second-place Kenyan (Eliud Kipchoge). I know this race is rarely run; nevertheless both Goucher and Lincoln have established wonderful early season times that may propel them into career bests in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters.

I cannot mention these events, however, without noting the presence of an amazing Ethiopian, now 24, who holds world records at both the 5,000 and 10,000 meters. Kenenisa Bekele ran 12:37.35 in 2004 at 5,000 meters and an incredible 26:17.53 last August in Brussels for a 10,000 meter world record. This web site has nicely put together a brief history of the 10,000 meter run. As you can see, it was not until 1939 that anyone ran under 30 minutes for this distance (29.52.6 for Taisto Maki in 1939). The first under 29 minutes was the famous Czech Emil Zatopek, who ran 28:54.2 in 1954. Ron Clarke of Australia broke 28 minutes by running 27:39.4 in 1965. Then it wasn't until 1993 that someone broke 27 minutes. Predictably, it was a Kenyan. They swept into long-distance running (remember Kipchoge Keino from the late 1960s?) just as African-Americans were beginning to predominate in professional basketball.

Once a Kenyan (Yobes Ondieki) went under 27 minutes, running 26:58.38 in 1993, progress has been quick. Though it took 28 years to go from 28 to 27 minutes, it has taken 13 years only to go from 27 minutes to 26:17.53. Well, it may take another 15 years to get under 26 minutes, but the astounding improvement in this event is mind-boggling. If you divide the 10,000 meter time in half (13:08.77) you have a 5,000m time that would be around the best in the world so far this year. Can you imagine a Kenyan or Ethiopian on steroids? He would fly over the distance...

Back to Reality

A very large American should be the next one to set the shot put record. Set in 1990 by Randy Barnes (75'10 1/4"; 23.12m), who himself had to face performance-enhancing drug allegations during his career, it is now within striking distance by Christian Cantwell. I found this chart showing Cantwell's improvement over the years. Be aware that he is now 26 years-old, which is relatively young for a shot putter. Unlike some athletes, who are "over the hill" by this age, male shot-putters usually fully mature in their early 30s.

2005 21.67 Sevilla 04 06 2005
2004 22.54 Gresham, OR 05 06 2004
2003 21.62 Salamanca 15 07 2003
2002 21.45 Iowa City, IA 04 05 2002
2001 19.71 Emporia, KS 12 05 2001
2000 19.67 Columbia, MO 20 05 2000.

Just to convert a couple of numbers for you. His personal record of 22.54m, set in 2004, is 73'11 1/2." And, just yesterday, in Eugene, he threw the world's best mark of the year--72'9" (22.17m). But look at his progression. His large jump was a gain of nearly 5 feet between December 2001 and April 2002. This does happen for shot putters (being an old shot putter myself, I know how you normally "jump" about three feet after you have worked hard and "stuck" at a distance for a while). Then, you normally level off, probably for a few years. Cantwell actually has done that, with the 2004 mark of 22.54 being a kind of "exception" to the consistent marks in the mid 21's. Now, in 2006, I see him ready to move back to his 2004 form, as he begins with a very impressive 22.17 in the rain at Eugene. The shot put pit was covered with pools of water at either end of it; this certainly had an effect on the quality of the throws.

Cantwell, however, is still young, and has not done particularly well in international competition. He does best, frankly, when he comes to Oregon. Just as some might imagine paradise to be a library, so Cantwell probably dreams that his "shot put pit in the sky" is located in the Willamette Valley. Some commentators, including this one, think that Adam Nelson, whose personal best is slightly behind that of Cantwell, has the best chance to break Barnes' record. But I think that Nelson, whose 6' 255 lb. frame makes him rather small for a shot-putter, has just about reached the limit of his abilities. He threw 70'4'' at the Pre classic this year.

Concluding with the Men's 400 Meters

I really don't want to write another essay on the Pre Classic, so I will write quickly here. There is now a most impressive cadre of guys running the 400m. More than a dozen are below 45 seconds, with some running in the mid 44's, and the redoutable Jeremy Wariner (the 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist) is now sporting a personal best at 43.93. Michael Johnson's 43.19 seemed untouchable about three years ago, but with several impressive marks in the mid-44s early this year, the field will force each other to get closer and closer to Johnson's record. You have athletes from the Congo (Gary Kikaya--44.53), Jamaica, Grenada and America in this crowd. What is a most interesting phenomenon for me is that White men are beginning a sort of "comeback" in this event, long prized not only as an American "sweep" in the Olympics but as a showcase for Black American talent. Not only is Warniner White, but Andrew Rock (44.35) and John Steffenson (Australia--44.73) are White. A few years ago the Minnesota duo of Adam Steele and Mitch Potter ran in the mid 44's, but both of them seem to have faded from the scene (reference to Steel and Potter are courtesy of my won, Will). I will close by letting my local chauvinism show. Oregon's own Matt Scherer just ran an impressive 45.19 to win the Pac 10 championships a few weeks ago. Several of the athletes running "mid 44s" now professionally were only running "low 46s" in college. If Scherer keeps up with it, I think he, too, could be in this elite company.

So, track & field, Eugne's only real religion, is back in the headlines (sort of) this year. We should see some fireworks before the curtain falls in September.

1896