BATC Preview: Women's 1500m at the adidas Grand Prix
By Tom Kloos
Shannon Rowbury’s last visit to the streets of New York was inspiring, as she capped a fantastic 2009 season with a win at the Fifth Avenue Mile. Returning to the city of big lights, Shannon will be making her 1500 meter debut of the 2010 season at the inaugural adidas Grand Prix – IAAF Diamond League meet this Saturday, June 12. Winning again in the city of big lights will not be a stroll, as the starting list is the best Shannon has faced since the IAAF World Championships final last summer in Berlin.
While Shannon captured the USATF crown in 2009, and was the highest American finisher at the World Championships, three U.S. women breached the 4:00 barrier in 2009, a mark Shannon is still after. All three of these women will be on the starting line at Icahn Stadium: Anna Pierce (Willard), Jenny Barringer, and Christin Wurth-Thomas.
When Shannon described the coming event as “a loaded race,” she inferred more than just her domestic rivals. Gelete Burka (Ethiopia) has the fastest PR in the field, and the second fastest time of 2010. Burka was tripped in the final lap of the World Championship in Berlin, a misfortune Shannon capitalized on en route to her bronze medal finish. The fastest time in the field from 2010, 4:01.63, belongs to Nancy Langat (Kenya), who also has a PR of 4:00.
Shannon’s training since last September’s Fifth Avenue Mile has done more than just build her fitness: “I know I am strong from all my 5k work. All the different energy systems are ready to go.” It has also built her confidence.
And while Usain Bolt has scratched from the meet and will not be scratching records later in the clubs of New York City, Shannon is looking forward to celebrating a successful Diamond League debut with BATC teammate David Torrence and training partner Treniere Moser before heading down to North Carolina for her final stretch of preparation for the USA Track & Field Championships beginning June 23.
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