20th May 2016

Rutherford Soars In Manchester

20 May 2016

Greg Rutherford (Dan Pfaff) continued his excellent start to the season with a games record jump of 8.20m to win the long jump at the Great CityGames in Manchester this evening.

Rutherford, who jumped 8.30m last month in California, continued his Olympic preparations with a strong series of jumps to extend his unbeaten run, which began at the Anniversary Games last year.  

The defending Olympic champion said: “I’m very, very happy. To get an 8.20m on boards like that is a decent jump so I’m chuffed to bits.

“There are some very good long jumpers in the world, so that’s never my concern. I obviously always want to win and being unbeaten would be great. The one thing that I’m trying to maintain at the moment is that the last time I jumped under 8m was in Braunschweig in (June)2014.”

JJ Jegede (Loren Seagrave) continued his comeback from long-term injury with a fourth place finish with his best effort coming in the third round jumping out to 7.43m. 

In her first outdoor race on home soil in 2016, Tiffany Porter (Rana Reider) gave the Deansgate crowd a real show as the European Champion blew away the field to win the 100m hurdles in 12.89 (+2.2). Lucy Hatton (Toni Minichiello) came through in second place in 13.15, with Serita Solomon (Michelle Bovell) fourth in 13.73.

A delighted Porter said afterwards: “I’m definitely pleased to come away with the win and to do it here in Manchester is very special. I absolutely love street races, so I’ll take that.

“I’m just looking to progress in every race and get better at every opportunity. Hopefully by the time the British Championships come along, I’ll be fit, healthy and ready to put a good show for everyone and make the team for Rio.”

Harry Aikines-Aryeetey (Benke Blomkvist) looked right at home as the 27 year old cruised to victory in the 150m in 15.10, with European Junior 100m gold medallist Ojie Edoburun (Jonas Tawiah-Dodoo) claiming the scalp of 2012 European 100m bronze medallist Jaysuma Saidy Ndure to take second in 15.26.

“I’m used to that backstraight in the relay and that’s a maximum of 130m, so I was good up until 120m and that’s when you saw the grimace come into play. It’s hard to win a race nowadays, so to cross the line first against some really good opposition with Jaysuma, who has gone sub-10 and sub-20 and Ojie who is a really good up and coming youngster, I’ll take some confidence out of that.”

It was a British one-two-three in the 200m hurdles with Seb Rodger (Stephen King) storming to victory in 22.66 with Jacob Paul (Marina Armstrong) second in 22.84 and Jack Green (June Plews) third in 23.29.

It was a superb run from Laviai Nielsen (Frank Adams), who clinched second place in the 200m behind Germany’s Laura Muller. The European Junior 400m gold medallist stepped down in distance but showed no nerves as she clocked 23.23 (+3.6) with Emily Diamond (Jared Deacon) closely following in 23.25. Jodie Leslie (Paul Searing) came through in fourth in 24.43.

“I wanted to win, but she (Laura) held her form all the way whereas I lost it a bit at the end. It was such a good experience.

“Everyone talks about the transition from junior to senior, but I was privileged enough to experience the Loughborough International last year and the World Championships, so I’m just taking it one step at a time.”

Kim Collins showed once again age is just a number as the 40 year old saw off competition from World Indoor 60m gold medallist Trayvon Bromell and British duo Chijindu Ujah (Jonas Tawiah-Dodoo) and Richard Kilty (Blomkvist) in the men’s 100m. Collins clocked 10.08 to finish ahead of Bromell (10.14), Ujah (10.15) and Kilty (10.20).

David King (James Hillier) was within touching distance of an impressive victory in the 110m hurdles, but hit the penultimate hurdle to finish in third in 13.79 in a race won by USA’s Ryan Wilson.

In the women’s pole vault, Sally Peake (Scott Simpson) finished in third place with a clearance of 4.33m, while Lucy Bryan (Charles Preston) was fifth with 4.03m. 

For a full list of results, please visit: http://www.greatcitygames.org/results/manchester/2016