Daniel Lincoln has defended his 3,000-meter steeplechase title at the US Championships in Carson (California). He won the event with a strong finish in 8:17.27 minutes. Anthony Famiglietti was second (8:20.49) while Steve Slattery (8:25.52) took third place.

The 1500m women’s final ended with a surprise win for Treniere Clement. Pressure was on the women since hardly any in the field had run the qualifying standard for Helsinki. And they did not in the final as well. Jennifer Toomey stormed from last to first place in the third lap but could not hold on. Clement came passed and won with 4:06.73 minutes. “I have worked on my speed for the whole year and knew I would be very quick,” Clement said. She has already run the qualifying standard for the 800m but opted for the 1500m in the championships. While Toomey was second with 4:07.39 Amy Mortimer took third place (4:07.58). „I hope that I am able to run the qualifying time in Europe in time,” Toomey said.

The men have the same problems at this distance. While 22-year-old Alan Webb won the title with 3:41.97 minutes he also has not beaten the qualifying standard at 1500m. “The pace of the final was slower than expected. So I was happy to have won in the end,” Alan Webb said. With a fine finish Christopher Lukezic (3:42.06) took second place while Rob Myers was third (3:42.27).

For the first time the women will run the 3,000m steeplechase at the World Championships. Elizabeth Jackson won the trials with 9:39.78 minutes. Lisa Galaviz was second (9:40.58) while Carrie Messner took third with 9:41.37. All three beat the qualifying time of 9:50.00. “It was my plan to stick with the leader, because I knew I would be strong in the second part of the race,” Elizabeth Jackson said.

Favorite Hazel Clark took the 800 meters in 1:59.74 minutes. “I have trained with Treniere Clement (1,500m winner) and we helped each other,” Hazel Clark said. In the final part of the race Hazel Clark and Kameisha Bennett moved ahead. Bennet came in second with 2:00.59 minutes and just missed the qualifying time of 2:00.00. Alice Schmidt was third with 2:02.09. “I am in fine form and quite excited looking ahead to the World Championships,” Hazel Clark said.

Khadevis Robinson was the winner of the men’s 800m with 1:45.27 minutes. He had been second for three years in a row before. “It is a great feeling to have won,” he said. In an exciting race world indoor champion David Krummenacker came in second with 1:46.80 while Kevin Hicks was third (1:46.99).