Calvin Smith started things with his 44.81 WL in Florida, but several athletes put up world leaders and outstanding marks yesterday as the season began to hit it’s traditional stride heading into Penn Relays weekend!

As I thought it might, the Kansas Relays produced a world leader in the 100 and the year’s first sub10. It wasn’t by previous world leader Churandy Martina however as the Kansas 100 went to Ivory Williams (US) in a near PR 9.95. Williams had an outstanding indoor season and seems to be continuing the pace outdoors. Also sprinting well in Kansas was super vet Veronica Campbell Brown who scorched the track for a 22.32 200 meter victory and world leader.

On the west coast the 400 was the hot event as two one lap leads were set in Mt SAC. In the women’s 400 long hurdler Lashinda Demus (US) went 51.40 with barriers to climb to the top of the world list, while Jeshua Anderson (US) went 49.11 over hurdlers to climb to the top of the 400 hurdles list. Mt SAC also saw world leaders in the women’s 5000 and men’s hammer throw as Sally Kipyego (KEN) ran 15:02.83 and Libor Charfreitag (SLO) threw 80.59m (264’ 5”).

Meanwhile in Australia Fabrice Lapierre (AUS) let loose a windy (3.1 mps) jump of 8.78m (28’ 9.75”)! Though windy it still makes him the 6th best performer under any conditions behind Mike Powell (8.95m, 29’ 4.5”), Bob Beamon (8.90m, 29’ 2.5”), Carl Lewis (8.87m, 29’ 1.25”), Robert Emmiyan (8.86m, 29’ 1”) and Ivan Pedroso (8.79mw, 28’ 10.25w). Pretty solid company! Lapierre began to emerge last year with legal 8.35m (27’ 4.75”) and windy 8.57m (28’ 1.5”) jumps and appears to be continuing his improvement. He could be heading towards being the new face of the long jump and a threat to 8.84m (29’ 0”)! he definitely bears watching.

As does Tyson Gay after yesterday’s stellar 400. If you want to see what I mean, take a look below!

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