Josh Hoey and Hobbs Kessler bolted to a pair of world records on Saturday at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix as the track and field year kicked off in stunning fashion in Boston.
In the first major meet of the year, there were plenty of sparks as a loaded lineup brought the crowd to a roar in an early season showcase that deliver and set the tone for next week’s action at the Millrose Games.
The record-breaking momentum started with Kessler as he surged to a 4:48.79 win in the men’s 2,000m that shattered Kenenisa Bekele’s 4:49.99 mark in the distance from 2007. Kesser was locked in with three laps remaining and picked up the pace when it became clear that he found some separation from their field.
Kessler lowered the American record that was set by Cole Hocker less than 24 hours ago in 4:52.92 at the Hokie Invitational in Blacksburg, Virginia on Friday.
Grant Fisher took second in 4:49.48 while Pieter Sisk finished third in 4:52.41.
“I’m happy to run well, run to my fitness. Grant deserves a bunch of credit becase he was with me the whole race,” Kessler said. “So tons of credit to him. I’m super relieved. I’m a big positive reinforcement guy, momentum guy. So getting started on the right foot was good. Like I said it was really hard getting started with training this year, just cause my feelings were hurt and I was bitter about last year – not making the team and this and that, a bit of a pity party – so, I’m just glad to get things moving.”
Meanwhile, Hoey supplied his own batch of fireworks in the men’s 800m as he clocked a 1:42.50 and smashing the 28-year world record in the event.
Hoey already had the second-fastest indoor North American 800m time at 1:43.24, but set out for even more in Boston on Saturday and found his way through the first 200m in 24.81 and the 400m mark at 50.21. Hoey made quick work of the pace lights on track as it was obvious that a new record was in his sights.
With his thrilling performance, Hoey took took Wilson Kipketer’s 1:42.67 record from 1997.
“We did a lot of pacing work,” Hoey said, “Just kind of kept steadily improving, taking it week by week, block by block, and we were able to make this work.”
In other action on the track, Roisin Willis took the world lead in the women’s 800m in 1:59.59 as she barely edged out Isabelle Boffey, who ran a 2:00.14 while Victoria Bossong took third in 2:00.36.
Cameron Myers stunned in the men’s 3,000m in 7:27.57 to take the world lead in a commanding win over Andrew Coscoran (7:30.97) and Graham Blanks (7:31.97).
Monae’ Nichols soared to a 6.64m leap on her first attempt to win the women’s long jump, while Danielle Williams blazed her way to a world leading 7.87 in the women’s 60m hurdles.
Cian McPhillips held on to win the men’s 600 in 1:16.37 as he put the race out of reach for Donavan Brazier’s comeback effort (1:17.20) along with Bryce Hoppel (1:17.24) who took third.
The men’s 60m hurdles brought the drama as Trey Cunningham got the world lead in 7.48 ahead of a stacked group that included
Connor Schulman (7.51), Jamal Britt (7.54), Dylan Beard (7.58), Cordell Tinch (7.62) and Daniel Roberts (7.66).
Dorcus Ewoi took the narrow win in the women’s 1,500m in 4:01.22 as Sinclaire Johnson closed out the race strong in 4:01.30 to take second.
Khaleb McRae legged out a 45.38 in the men’s 400m head of teen phenom Quincy Wilson who battled back to come in second at 45.96.
The women’s 3,000m lit the crowd up as Elle St. Pierre was electric in her 8:26.54 win for the world lead that put Linden Hall
in the distance at 8:27.03 for second place.
And in the men’s 300m, Jereem Richards barely slipped past Noah Lyles for the win as he crossed the line in 32.14. Lyles was second in 32.15.
