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TFS News Briefs: 1/27/08

Posted January 27th, 2008 at 12:00 PM by Jimmie R. Markham

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Track & Field, Olympics

TFS News Briefs
Hayward Field Face lift Almost Finished
The renovation of historic Hayward Field, the site of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials, is nearly complete. Included in the $8 Million face lift are an improved infield and press area, a new hammer cage, dual high-jump and long-jump stations, new sound system and a $1.5 Million scoreboard.
Read more at: [ESPN]

Liu Xiang Elected to Communist Party Advising Council
110m Hurdle world-record holder, world champ and Olympic champ Liu Xiang has been elected to sit on an advisory council to the Chinese Communist Party. Now we’ve got even more reason to cheer U.S. hurdler Terrence Trammell this season as he tries to dethrone Xiang in Beijing.
Read more at: [Guardian Unlimited]

Meseret Defar and Craig Mottram Impressive Wins by Defar, Mottram at Boston Indoor Games
Meseret Defar ran a world-best (it would be a world-record, but the IAAF doesn’t recognize this distance) time of 9:10.50 in the women’s two-mile at the Reebok Boston Indoor Games. Craig Mottram, not to be outdone, ran an all-comer’s (best time ever on U.S. soil, regardless of nationality) record of 7:34.50 in the men’s 3000m, surpassing Haile Gebrselassie’s previous record of 7:35.24 at the same meet in 2004.
Read more at: [IAAF]

Yamauchi Wins Osaka in 2:25:34
Britain’s Mara Yamauchi, coming off a disappointing 2007, made sure to start her 2008 Olympic campaign in style by winning the Osaka International Women’s Marathon in 2:25:34. Her impressive win will keep the British marathon selection committee busy for a while longer.
Read more at: [Reuters UK]

24-Year-Old Irish Marathoner Breaks Guiness 7-7-7 World Record
Mark Scanlon, from Dublin, became the youngest person to run 7 marathons in 7 months and in 7 different continents by completing the Mumbai Marathon, India. He did it to honor his father and the raise money for the Irish Cancer Society. Last month he completed the Antarctic Ice Marathon in a blizzard that had reduced the runners’ visibility to almost zero.
Read more at: [Irish Independent][Mayo News, Ireland]