Run The Roads

Few meets in the world can match the consistent success of the Reebok Grand Prix. On Saturday afternoon, the New York showcase of track and field talent took place, with many of the top athletes in the world taking part. With many of the top Americans in the field, some impressive performances were posted from 800m to 5,000m. See who made our top five U.S. distance performances of the day.

5. Leo Manzano - Manzano got off to a slow start this season two weeks ago, finishing last at the adidas Track Classic. His race sat poorly with him, thus prompting him to race a small event in St. Louis last week, where he bounced back and won in 3:55. On Saturday,Manzano showed why he is considered the second best miler in the U.S. behind Bernard Lagat, as he ran to victory in a new meet record mark of 3:34.14. His winning mark ranks him seventh in the world currently. Men’s 1,500m Results

4. Christin Wurth-Thomas - “Turning it up another gear” is the phrase that best describes Wurth-Thomas’ race Saturday. The former Arkansas Razorback won the women’s 1,500m run in a world leading time of 4:03.96, winning by nearly three seconds, and showing that ShannonRowbury will have plenty of competition at the U.S. T&F Championships in a month. Wurth-Thomas beat a strong field with her performance, as Canadian Malindi Elmore place second in 4:06.94 and American Amy Mortimer third in 4:07.19. Women’s 1,500m Results

3. Khadevis Robinson - With a few new training partners, and extra motivation after finishing fourth at the Olympic Trials last summer, Robinson is looking better than ever this season. Robinson ran to victory Saturday afternoon, beating Gary Reed 1:46.00-1:46.22. Remember, Reed finished fourth at the Beijing Olympics last summer, while finishing second in Osaka, Japan at the World T&F Championships in 2007. This race was a tight one, with the top five finishers finishing between 1:46.00-1:46.70. Men’s 800m Results

2. Anna Willard - Willard and Jamaican Kenia Sinclair entered the 800m dash, both running better than nearly anyone else in the world this season. As the two athletes crossed the finish line, it was clear they are both running at new heights this season, running the first and third fastest times in the world this season. Willard pulled off the narrow victory, edging Sinclair in the final meters, 1:59.29-1:59.66. Coming in third was American Olympian Hazel Clark, finishing in a world number four time of 2:00.09. Women’s 800m Results

1. Bernard Lagat - Before the final distance event of the Reebok Grand Prix, the hype circulating around Icahn Stadium was the question of whether or not Bernard Lagat could dip under 13 minutes and challenge the American record. Despite breezy conditions, Lagat made a strong challenge, finishing second to Olympic bronze medalist Micah Kogo (Kenya), 13:02.90-13:03.06. A ferocious final lap saw Lagat take the lead with 100m left, only for Kogo to quickly jump back in front and edge the world champion to the line. You can bet Lagat will take another stab at the American record later this summer. Men’s 5,000m Results