Lahti Day 3: Perfect weather for an American W45 record
Over the main stadium in Lahti, the sun peeked from behind the clouds and went into hiding several times. But the temps were in the low 70s, and the wind was light — sometimes slightly aiding in the 100 prelims. The news of the day was Renee Henderson’s American record of 12.10. She told me it came as a surprise to her as well. Although she had turned 45 on Tuesday, she didn’t have the record in mind — at least not in prelims. Her mark of 12.10 (with legal 1.6 mps wind) destroyed Phil Raschker’s AR of 12.50 from 1995. Renee, who hails from Merchantville, New Jersey, also ran 12.10 at Oshkosh nationals. Can she crack 12 — territory explored only by Merlene Ottey? Another great effort came in the W50 high jump, where Martha Mendenhall of Tacoma, Wash., won with a jump of 1.52 (about 5 feet).
Martha Mendenhall shows her colors after winning the W50 high jump.
Joy Upshaw-Margerum jokes with Renee Henderson (right) after their 100s.
The lowlights of the day were injuries to W35 sprint favorite Luisa Puleanga of Italy, who pulled a hammie in her 100 heat. (See series starting here.) And an injury to Hawaii’s Ron Pate in the first steps of the 800. (See series starting here.)
Luisa Puleanga drops after walking a few painful steps with her hammie pull.
Finally, the embarrassment of the day came in an M35 100 heat, when American Mahasse Cornileus of Atlanta, in the last 20 meters, turned to the runner in the lane to his left and gave the “c’mon, go faster” motion while sticking out his tongue.
In the audience, people gave thumbs down. Whether being playful with a friend or just hot-dogging for fun, the antics didn’t go down well with observers. This wasn’t a way to make a debut at worlds. Especially for a member of Team USA.
Mahasse Cornileus risked a DQ for unsportsmanlike conduct.
11 Responses
Way to go, Renee and Martha. Renee, the amazing thing about your 12.10 for the W45 100 is that it is much faster than the W40 mark of 12.31, which you and Phil Raschker hold. Unbelievable.
Martha, way back when you were the first woman ever to compete in T&F at St. Thomas Aquinas in East Lansing did you ever think you would be world W50 champ in the high jump? What a journey it has been. Let me go back up to look at the story; are you really in W50? Yes, you are — now that is amazing as well.
Pete, When Renee ran the same time of 12.10 at Oshkosh,as a 44 year old, that’d be the new W40 record.
Who knows what she can do. She’s also got a hand held time of 11.6, that she ran in a meet only a month ago.
Larry, the Oshkosh time was wind-aided, so it didn’t count for a record. There was a tail-wind in Lahti as well, but luckily it was under the limit. Great job Renee and Martha!
Liz, Oops.Picky picky, those gauges. How could I’ve forgotten those winds of Oshkosh? I sorta remember something about it in my 400, at least the last 380 of it.
Are you runnin’ Western States Inv this week-end in Sacto? Good luck there. What’s the news? How’d ya do?
Larry, Western States is going so well (aside from a head wind, darn!) Weather is cooperating, with temps in the high 80’s, or maybe 90. We already have 2 pending records: an AR in a womens field event and I THINK a WR in a mens hurdle event. More news from Mary Woo, meet director extraordinaire.
That’s just so fast. Faster than most 18 year old’s boys or girls. LOL Way to go!!
Ken, did you hear about the arguments about Mahasse’s performance (and his defense of it) in the finals.
Quite a bit of fireworks in the stands.
Mahasse’s performance was a choke performance. He must be the 100 Meter king of the Atlanta Metropolitan area. On the world Stage Mahasse’s performance reminds me of a Shakespeare Quote. “To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow, Creeps in this petty pace from day to day; To the last syllable of recorded time; And all our yesterdays have lighted fools The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle! Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player. That struts and frets his hour upon the stage And then is heard no more: it is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.”
Haha who cares. I had fun and winning its not everything. I enjoyed my vacation. Choke whomever wrote that should choke themselves. I came to lahti to have fun and i did. Nothing impresses me about masters track, its recreational. I didn’t even run all out lollol………….
Martha is sexy as can be!!
I think anonymous is pretty sexy too! (wink) LOL
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