Hello and welcome to MR’s weekly rundown, your unofficial guide to all the comings and goings in the world of running. This week, we look back on the Birmingham‘s Diamond League meeting on Sunday.
Good week:
Mo Farah set a new British two-mile record after a terrific win at the Diamond League meeting in Birmingham on Sunday. The 31-year-old double Olympic champion completed the race in a stunning time of 8mins 7.85 secs, surpassing Steve Ovett’s record of 8mins 13secs set back in 1978.
Bad week:
Usain Bolt’s season is over after pulling out of Thursday’s IAAF Diamond League meeting in Zurich, Switzerland. The world’s fastest man has only run three races this season, most notably winning gold with Jamaica’s 4x100m relay team at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. However, Bolt’s coach Glen Mills feels the Olympic 100m champion requires more rest.
Stat of the week:
8cm. This was the excruciating margin between the top five in the Men’s Long Jump at Birmingham’s Diamond League meeting. The US’s Christian Taylor won the event with a leap of 8.09m, with Great Britain’s Olympic champion Greg Rutherford fourth (8.04m) and American Jeff Henderson fifth (8.01m).
Close shave of the week:
Men’s 3,000m steeplechase winner Jairus Kipchoge Birech of Kenya had a lucky escape at the final fence after grinding to a surprising halt. Fortunately the 21-year-old put his hand on the hurdle to finally jump over it and win the race in a new meeting record of 8mins 7secs.
Dubious product award:
MitoQ supplements. This targeted antioxidant claims to have your skin looking younger, reduce wrinkles, feel more energised and promote brain, heart and kidney health in as little as just 30 days. Form an orderly queue, gentlemen.
Video of the week:
Great Britain’s Olympic gold medalist and London 2012 ‘golden girl’ Jessica Ennis-Hill joined in the worldwide sensation of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge last week. Check out her latest effort below.
