Mo Farah wins Diamond League 5000m in Eugene, Oregon [Pics]

It was a sunny day of 90 degrees in Eugene, Oregon. Fans anticipation grew as they waited outside of Hayward Field for the gates to open. Fans begin to race into the stadium right on twelve o’clock to find their seats. It’s going to be a great day filled with track and field events. The Ducks were prepared wearing yellow and green as I looked around the field. Prefontaine fans showed their support for the late distance runner in remembrance by wearing “Stop Pre” and shirts that featured the athletes face.

British running gazelle Mo Farah who is the four –time Olympic Champion got off to a late start when switching gears during the 5,000-meter run. Yomif Kejelcha and Geoffrey Kamworor who were right in the pack attempted to chase Farah down. Farah sat in 14th place after the first mile. After six laps to go, Farah makes his move into fourth place. Farah eases on up and sits in second place after one mile to go. We know what happens next. Farah looks relaxed sitting in second place while four runners our stepping on his heels. Farah makes his next move where he pulls away and take home the win with the time of 13:00:70 (13 minutes).  Kejelcha who wasn’t far behind Farah places second with a time of 13:01:21.

After Farah big win, over 12,000 fans stood on their feet and cheered Farah on as he jogged his victory lap where he was welcome by his family on the sideline.

Allyson Felix and Elaine Thompson fell short to Torie Bowie in the women’s 200-meter dash with a record-breaking time of 21.77. Bowie broke former Olympian Marion Jones record which was held for over 18 years. Felix who holds the most medals ever by any woman finishes in an upsetting fifth place. Felix suffered an injury from last year.

Jamaican Olympic champion Omar McLeod stands his ground by winning the men’s 110 hurdles.

The women’s Olympian team did a 1-3 sweep in Rio while competing in the 400-meter hurdles. Will they be able to transfer the repeat in Eugene? Bronze medalist Ashley Spencer is positioned in lane 6 right next to gold medalist Dalilah Muhammad who is lane 5. Spencer wins the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 53.38.

To check out the official times from this year’s Pre-Classic. Click the link here.

Check out pics from the event below.

 

Words by Jena Green.