The third installment of the IAAF Diamond League headed to the United States, and Hayward Field, the home of the 2021 World Championships. The Prefontaine Classic is one of the premier Diamond League meets of the year, and this year was no different.
In the International Mile, Australian Luke Mathews, kicked off proceedings, with a strong win, recording the 400th sub 4 minute mile for the Prefontaine Classic. Running nearer to the back of the pack, Mathews, moved up on the last lap, and sprinted home down the straight to take the win.
The Womens 1500m saw one of the strongest fields for the day assembled. Australian Linden Hall, has ran a personal best in the race, and had a major breakthrough in the same race in 2016. This race would be no different. She got in to the race early, and held her position in the middle of the field throughout the race.
Coming down the home straight, the race was fast, and Linden finished on strongly down the straight to finish in 6th place. Her time of 4.00.86, bettered the Australian and Oceania Record, held by her former coach and mentor Sarah Jamieson. Her current coach, Bruce Scriven, has now coached both the current and former Oceania Record Holder.
The Women’s Pole Vault, saw New Zealand Commonwealth and Olympic Medalist Eliza Mccartney making her Diamond League debut. Coming off a strong Oceania summer competition season which saw her finish second in the Commonwealth Games, Eliza came in to her first Diamond League in good form. That showed, as she had big clearance at 4.80m and then cleared 4.85 on her first attempt.
This is her third time bettering the Oceania Record, after clearing 4.81 and 4.82 previously.
A third Oceania Record Holder, Tomas Walsh of New Zealand, finished 4th with a throw of 21.84, which prompted Tom to tweet this.
What a crazy comp @preclassic yesterday. I guess 21.84 isn’t good enough anymore!! Great throwing boys #shotput #shotputgoingoff #dropingbombs pic.twitter.com/fb9AKShZeO
— Tom Walsh (@TomWalshSP) May 27, 2018
