Fast times in New York as Shaunae Miller-Uibo dominates, whileCharlie DaVall Grice breaks British 1000m record and Jake Wightman lowers Scottish 1500m mark

There had been high hopes for fast times at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix and the latest stop on the World Athletics World Indoor Tour did not disappoint as a swathe of national records fell in New York.

The meeting had been moved to the impressive Ocean Breeze facility in Staten Island due to the original venue of the Reggie Lewis Centre in Boston being used as a Covid-19 vaccination centre. And while the showpiece shorter sprints perhaps didnt completely live up to expectations, much of the action was of a very high quality as some of the worlds biggest stars came out to play.

One of the most impressive showings came in the womens 400m, as Olympic champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo broke theBahamian record in a world-leading 50.21 in what was her first indoor run over the distance in seven years. It moved herto fifth on the all-time standings. American Wadeline Jonathas was second in 51.95, with Jessica Beard third in 52.60.

In the mens 400m Michael Norman edged a fantastic race, clocking 45.34 to just hold off training partner Rai Benjamins PB of 45.39. Tyrell Richard was third in 46.25.

The mens two-mile event won by Justin Knights world-leading 8:13.92 had seen the first national record of the night set by third-placed Australian Morgan McDonald when he clocked 8:14.92 but there was also a remarkable performance from his compatriot Oliver Hoare in the 1500m.

Britains Jake Wightman, in his first outing of the year, had led from the front for much of the race until the closing lap, when Hoares closing 300m of 41.67 led him to the line first in a time of 3:32.35 which placed him seventh on the all-time list.

In finishing second, Wightman came perilously close to Peter Elliotts 21-year-old British indoor mark of 3:34.20, but the European and Commonwealth medallists PB of 3:34.48 is a Scottish indoor record. New Zealands Sam Tanner clocked 3:34.72 for another national mark as nine of the field set personal bests.

The 1500m had followed hot on the heels of a memorable mens 1000m encounter in which there was a British record for Charlie DaVall Grice to celebrate. Bryce Hoppell won the race in a North American record of 2:16.27, but DaVall Grice had pushed him hard for much of the encounter, the Briton eventually clocking 2:17.20 for third, with Canadas Marco Arop second in2:17.10.

Another of the evenings talking points came in the womens two-mile event. Many believeElle Purrier to be a star in the making and her time of 9:10.28 was not only an outright North American record but placed her third on the all-time list. Only two women Genzebe Dibaba and Meseret Defar have ever gone quicker either indoors or out.

In seventh place, Amy Eloise Markovc clocked a British record of 9.30.69, with her 3000m time of 8:54.11 en route not only a PB but also within the qualifying standard for next months European Indoor Championships.

Another North American record fell in the mens 800m when world champion Donavan Brazier broke his own mark with 1:44.21, while a third consecutive personal best from Britains Jamie Webbof 1:46.26 gave him second spot ahead of Erik Sowinksi (1:47.65).

The womens race was won by world bronze medallist Ajee Wilson, who was a late entrant but was a convincing winner when clocking 2:01.79 to take the victory ahead of fellow American Kaela Edwards 2:02.17. There was a superb third place for Britains Isabelle Boffey thanks to her indoor PB of 2:02.45, which was inside the European Indoor Championships qualifying standard. Her fellow Briton Adelle Tracey tired in the latter stages to run2:04.28 for seventh.

Ajee Wilson wins the 800m, with Isabelle Boffey coming third. Credit: New Balance Indoor Grand Prix/Kevin Morris

When it came to the shorter sprints, the 100m hurdles world record holder Keni Harrison clocked a world-leading 7.82 in winning the 60m hurdles, with Britains Tiffany Porter equalling her seasons best of 7.89,the same time clocked by third-placed Gabrielle Cunningham. Britains Cindy Semper was fifth in 8.22, with world 400m hurdles silver medallist Sydney McLaughlin struggling in eighth with a time of 8.56.

An impressive late surge from Trayvon Bromellgave him 60m victory in a time of 6.50 ahead of fellow Americans Demek Kemp (6.65) and Maurice Eaddy (6.67), while in the womens raceKayla Whites PB of 7.15 landed her the winfrom Hannah Cunliffes 7.17, with Candace Hill clocking 7.19 in third.

As expected world champion Noah Lylesdid take the 200m honours but didnt seem overly impressed with himself after a run of 20.80 which saw him finish ahead of Deon Lendore (20.92) and Jaron Flournoy (21.26). Lyles had also run 6.76 in the 60m heats earlier in the evening.

In the two field events,Trey Culver cleared a world-leading and PB-equalling 2.33m to break the meeting high jump record, while world indoor champion Sandi Morris won the pole vault with a best clearance of 4.60m.

Full events results can be found here

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Records tumble as stars come out to play in Staten Island - AW - Athletics Weekly