A Complete look at every aspect of 1999
800 Meters
Review of the Irish Runners Year
James Nolan at the Millrose Games
Ireland had a good year on the 800 scene.It opened well when James Nolan broke the Irish indoor record in Oslo.This led to a brilliant result at the world indoor championships in Japan when he finished fifth behind race winner Johan Botha and World outdoor champ Wilson Kipketer.This really was a good performance from James.Dave Matthews opened his season with a confident win over James McIlroy at the President`s Selection race in Santry in mid May.At the Europa Cup James McIlroy finished 5th in a poor time of 1.51.31.This would be a poor season for McIlroy who dissappointed us all be over-training and not bothering to compete at the World Championships and then throwing the support he`d gotten from BLE right back in their faces.At the National Championships James Nolan set the track alight with a blistering 1.46.6 in his
heat but pulled out of the final to rest himself for the U-23 Europeans in Gotenb�rg.In his absence Dave Matthews was the favourite but young Gareth Turnbull came back from a 98 season which had seen him overtrain to beat Matthews in a sprint for the line to set a personal best of 1.48.57.At those U-23 championships James Nolan again had a great result taking silver behind European Senior Champion,Nils Schumann of Germany.Onto Seville and both James Nolan and Dave Matthews were in action.James ran hard to qualify for the semi-final as a fastest loser but failed to progress past that stage while Dave Matthews ran hard but failed to make the semi-finals.This some what positive result was overshadowed by James McIlroy`s decision to run for Britain instead of Ireland.This has surely put an end to the so-called Golden Era of Irish 800 metre running but I'm sure all the athletes will struggle on without James McIlroy.All of us here at Irish Middle Distance runner would like to commend both James Nolan and Dave Matthews for their hard and brave efforts this year and we wish them well for next year.
Review of the International Runners Year
Kipketer wins in Oslo
The 800m was dominated by Kenyan born Wilson Kipketer,reclaiming his place as the 800m best athlete in history.He absolutely destroyed the world`s best on the Grand Prix scene,hammering his fellow rival Japheth Kimutai in the process.Kipketer also had a share in the Golden League jackpot after winning in Z�rich,Berlin and Brussells.The best of these coming in Brussells when he set his fastest time of `99 with a 1.42.27 to claim another victory.He won the World Championships at Seville just beating an impressive Hezekiel Sepeng.1999 also saw the emergence of Said Guerni who set a personal best in every round of the 800m in Seville to take a bronze medal and the Algerian record.He also ran anew PB at the Brussells Golden League meeting where,for only the second time in history,the first 4 finishers all ran under 1'43 (the other being the Olympic Final in Atlanta).Overall it was Kipketer`s year with many pointing to that elusive Olympic title which has so far eluded him as his next target.Italy`s Andrea Longo again proved to be the best ranked European for the second year in a row when he ran well to finish 6th in Seville.Anr� Bucher set a massive PB to post 1.42.92 at the Brussells race to finish 4th in the 1999ranking table.Nils Schumann beat James Nolan and Poland`s Pawel Czapiewski to win the European U-23 title in Sweden.Kenya`s N Wachira won the World Youth Championships (U 17) in Poland with a time of 1.50.70.Russia`s Yury Barzakovskiy won the European Junior title in Lativa with a time of 1.50.38.
Records
10 Fastest Irishmen in 1999
| Name
| Club
| Time
|
| James Nolan
| UCD
| 1.46.03
|
| Dave Matthews
| UCD
| 1.46.19
|
| Daniel Caulfield
|
| 1.48.41
|
| Darren Dineen
| Leevale
| 1.48.43
|
| Gareth Turnbull | St.Malachys
| 1.48.47
|
| Colm McClean
| St Malachy`s
| 1.49.26
|
| David Brosnan
| Leevale
| 1.49.84
|
| Eoin Cummins
| UCD
| 1.50.31
|
| Brendan O`Shea
| Slaney Olympic
| 1.50.53
|
| Neville Davey
|
| 1.51.19
|
5 Fastest Men in 1999
| Name
| Country
| Time
| Venue
|
| Wilson Kipketer
| DEN
| 1.42.27
| Brussells
|
| Hezekiel Sepeng
| RSA
| 1.42.69
| Rome
|
| Japheth Kimutai
| KEN
| 1.42.69
| Brussells
|
| Andre Bucher
| SUI
| 1.42.92
| Brussells
|
| Djabir Sa�d-Guerni
| ALG
| 1.43.09
| Brussells
|
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1500 Meters
Review of the Irish Runners Year
Ireland had a quiet year yet again with no representation at Seville.The domestic scene was quite competitive,however,and there were many fine races witnessed.Niall Bruton was to struggle in his efforts to gain a qualifying standard and eventually ran out of time and had to settle for silver at the National 1500 meters and a thrilling win at the Morton Mile.In that race it looked as if UCD`s Andrew Walker was going to take the victory as he had a sizable lead going into the straight but Bruton showed us what he was made of and fought back to take the victory in a time of 4:01.2.Niall has struggled over recent years to regain the form that saw him win the World Student Games back in `91.At the Nationals it was Mark Carroll who made history by winning the 1500m and 5000m titles.Brain Treacy achieved a B standard for Seville but lack of funds saw him miss out.Shane Healy has again had a dissappointing year failing to post any sort of impressive times.The man who impressed us all by reaching the semi-finals at the Atlanta Olympics has yet to recover from a chonric back injury which he suffered from back in `97.Gareth Turnbull made inroads on the international scene as he finished 7th in the World Student Games final.He also finished 3rd overall in the BMC Championships where he missed 3 of the 7 races.He also won the National 800 title and has had an excellant season considering last years dissappointments due to over-training.His St.Malachy`s team-mate Conor Swenney and Colm McLean also were in the spotlight.McLean had an exceptionally poor year by his standards considering he had been 6th in the World Junior Championships last year and he faled to make the final of The European Juniors in Riga where he ran apoor 3:50.7 in his heat and failed to progress.His PB of 3.43 would have seen him win by a large margin.The younger of the St.Malachy`s 1500m machine is Conor Sweeney.He failed to eclipse Colm McLean CBP on his way to the Irish School`s title but really impressed on quailying for the European Junior final and finishing a crediable 7th.With the like of Brian Treacy and Gareth Turnbull coming to form we could have a crediable team travelling to Sydney for this event.
Review of the International Runners Year
El Guerrouj,the greatest of all time?
No one can deny Hicham el Gurrouj as the best miler and 1500m runner of all time as he again dominated the World scene.In Rome he broke Nourridine Morceli`s 5 year old mile record.His new world record time is 3.43.13.At that meeting we saw the emergence of Noah Ngeny who shocked the world by finishing only half a second behind El Guerrouj.This might have installed doubt as to who would dominate this event this year but when the two met in Zurich there would be only one winner and it was el Guerrouj.He destroyed Ngeny and was the easy favourite going into Seville.He jogged across the line in a time of 3.28.57.In Seville El Guerrouj had to use his fellow countryman Adil Kaoch to pace him to victory.Ngeny was second and Spain`s Reyes Estevez was third.Looking back the threat cused by Ngeny was neutralised this year but who knows what will happen in Sydney.This year was certainly a year where El Gueerouj futhered his hold on the 1500m world.
Records
10 Fastest Irishmen in 1999
| Name
| Club
| Time
|
| Mark Carroll
| Leevale
| 3.35.00
|
| Brian Tracey
| Annadale Striders
| 3.37.74
|
| Niall Bruton
| Clonliffe Harriers
| 3.39.83
|
| James Nolan
| UCD
| 3.40.20
|
| Gareth Turnbull | St.Malachys
| 3.41.30
|
| Danny Caulfield
|
| 3.41.72
|
| Pat Davoren
| Brighton & Hove
| 3.42.30
|
| Neville Davey
| Clonliffe harriers
| 3.42.96
|
| Shane Healy
| Metro
| 3.43.03
|
| Colm McClean
| St.Malachy`s
| 3.43.52
|
5 Fastest Men in 1999
| Name
| Country
| Time
| Venue
|
| Hicham El Guerrouj
| MAR
| 3:27:65
| Seville
|
| Noah Ngeny
| KEN
| 3:28:73
| Seville
|
| Bernard Langat
| KEN
| 3:30:56
| Zurich
|
| Reyes Estevez
| ESP
| 3.30.57
| Seville
|
| Rui Silva
| POR
| 3:30:88
| Zurich
|
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1999 800 Metre Grand Prix Results
This page is a comprehensive list of results from the Grand Prix tour since the start of 1999.This page does not include the results of major championships.Irish performances are noted.Only first five are listed.
11 Sep:IAAF Grand Prix Final,M�nich
| Place
| Name
| Nat.
| Time
|
| 1
| Wilson Kipketer
| DEN
| 1.43.55
|
| 2
| Hezikiel Sepeng
| RSA
| 1.44.40
|
| 3
| Japheth Kimutai
| KEN
| 1.44.48
|
| 4
| Andr� Bucher
| SUI
| 1.44.67
|
| 5
| William Chirchir
| KEN
| 1.44.75
|
07 Sep:ISTAF,Berlin
| Place
| Name
| Nat.
| Time
|
| 1
| Wilson Kipketer
| DEN
| 1.44.03
|
| 2
| Japheth Kimutai
| KEN
| 1.44.18
|
| 3
| Hezikiel Sepeng
| RSA
| 1.44.80
|
| 4
| David Kiptoo
| KEN
| 1.44.98
|
| 5
| Nils Schumann
| GER
| 1.44.99
|
03 Sep:Memorial VanDamme,Brussels
| Place
| Name
| Nat.
| Time
|
| 1
| Wilson Kipketer
| DEN
| 1.42.27
|
| 2
| Hezikiel Sepeng
| RSA
| 1.42.69
|
| 3
| Japheth Kimutai
| KEN
| 1.42.69
|
| 4
| Andr� Bucher
| SUI
| 1.42.92
|
| 5
| Djabir Sa�d-Guerni
| ALG
| 1.43.09
|
11 August:Z�rich Golden League meeting
| Place
| Name
| Nat.
| Time
|
| 1
|
|
|
|
| 2
|
|
|
|
| 3
|
|
|
|
| 4
|
|
|
|
| 5
|
|
|
|
07 August:British Grand Prix,London
| Place
| Name
| Nat.
| Time
|
| 1
| David Kiptoo
| KEN
| 1.44.62
|
| 2
| Andrea Longo
| ITA
| 1.44.72
|
| 3
| William Chirchir
| KEN
| 1.44.85
|
| 4
| David Krummenacker
| USA
| 1.45.48
|
| 5
| Curtis Robb
| GBR
| 1.45.60
|
04 August:Herculis Zepter,Monaco
| Place
| Name
| Nat.
| Time
|
| 1
| Wilson Kipketer
| DEN
| 1.42.57
|
| 2
| Japheth Kimutai
| KEN
| 1.43.09
|
| 3
| Hezekiel Sepeng
| RSA
| 1.43.16
|
| 4
| David Kiptoo
| KEN
| 1.43.85
|
| 5
| Andrea Longo
| ITA
| 1.43.93
|
21 July:Meeting de Paris,Paris,France
| Place
| Name
| Nat.
| Time
|
| 1
| Wilson Kipketer
| DEN
| 1.44.99
|
| 2
| Hezikiel Sepeng
| RSA
| 1.45.22
|
| 3
| William Chirchir
| KEN
| 1.45.54
|
| 4
| David Kiptoo
| KEN
| 1.45.63
|
| 5
| Fredrick Onyancha
| KEN
| 1.46.91
|
07 July 1999:Golden Gala,Rome,Italy
| Place
| Name
| Nat.
| Time
|
| 1
| Wilson Kipketer
| DEN
| 1.42.79
|
| 2
| Japheth Kimutai
| KEN
| 1.42.97
|
| 3
| Hezekiel Sepeng
| RSA
| 1.44.19
|
| 4
| David Kiptoo
| KEN
| 1.44.35
|
| 5
| Kennedy Kimwetich
| KEN
| 1.44.47
|
02 July 1999:Athletissima,Lausanne,Switzerland
| Place
| Name
| Nat.
| Time
|
| 1
| Norberto Tellez
| CUB
| 1.44.05
|
| 2
| Kennedy Kimwetich
| KEN
| 1.44.13
|
| 3
| Hezekiel Sepeng
| RSA
| 1.44.31
|
| 4
| Robert Chirchir
| KEN
| 1.44.35
|
| 5
| Frederick Onyancha
| KEN
| 1.44.48
|
>30 June 1999:Mobil Bislett Games,Oslo,Norway
| Place
| Name
| Nat.
| Time
|
| 1
| Wilson Kipketer
| DEN
| 1.43.11
|
| 2
| Johan Botha
| RSA
| 1.43.91
|
| 3
| Kennedy Kimwetich
| KEN
| 1.43.98
|
| 4
| Andr� Bucher
| SUI
| 1.44.27
|
| 5
| Norberto Tellez
| CUB
| 1.44.49
|
10 June Ericsson Grand Prix,Helsinki,Finland
| Place
| Name
| Nat.
| Time
|
| 1
| Urmet Uusorg
| EST
| 1.45.87
|
| 2
| Balazas Koranyi
| HUN
| 1.45.95
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 4
| Wilson Kirwa
| FIN
| 1.46.08
|
|
|
|
|
|
30 May 1999:Prefontaine Classic,Eugene,USA
| Place
| Name
| Nat.
| Time
|
| 1
| Khadeius Robinson
| USA
| 1.46.73
|
| 2
| David Krummenacker
| USA
| 1.46.88
|
| 3
| Nico Motchebon
| GER
| 1.46.99
|
| 4
| Rich Kenah
| USA
| 1.47.00
|
| 5
| Trinity Townsend
| USA
| 1.47.97
|
IAAF World Championships
Seville,Spain
Men`s 800metres
James Nolan makes Semi-final
Nolan pictured here at the World Indoor championships in Maebashi earlier this year
James Nolan gave it all he had to reach the semi-finals in Seville.With the Wedensday 1st round cancelled Nolan went into Thursday`s second round rearing to go and lead the field through the first lap in 50 secs.On the back straight he started to tire and was passed by Longo of Italy,Kremer of Australia and Hencini of Algeria but held of all other challenges to come forth.Only two went through automattically so Nolan had to wait to see if he was a fastest loser.His time of 1.46.38 was more than good enough to see him through.It had been his plan to run 1.46 on 2 consecutive days to see him to this semi but with the 1st round cancelled many thought Nolan was at least going to be up for a personal best judging by his comments before he left for Seville.Unfortunately he didn't have it in him at slumped to 7th in his semi in a time of 1.47.07.he could offer no excuses for this poor result but at least he made it that far.Dave Matthews led until 600 metres with his tactics being to push until 600 at then coast in an a 28 last 200 to qualify as a fastest loser.He was fast until 600 but wilted extremly badly to finish 6th in 1.49.52
Kipketer pips Sepeng in exciting final
Athletes who took to the line:
*Wilson Kipketer DEN 1.43.30
*Hezekiel Sepeng RSA 1.43.32
*Said Guerni ALG 1.44.18
*Norberto Tellez CUB 1.45.03
*Japheth Kimutai KEN 1.45.33
*Andrea Longo ITA
*Kennedy Kimwetich KEN 1.46.27
*Nils Schumann GER 1.46.79
Going into the men`s 800 final Wilson Kipketer was the easy favourite after some dominating form on the grand prix circuit.Many thought Japheth Kimutai would be his main rival.Kimutai`s team-mate Kennedy Kimwetich was asked to take out the pace in an effort to neutralise Kipketer`s sprinting ability by Kenya`s team officials.Kimwetich took them though until 300 metres when suprise finalist,Algeria`s Said Guerni,hit the front and went through 400 in a fast 50.11.On the back straight South Africa`s Hezekiel Sepeng moved up on Guerni and with 250 to go Sepeng hit the front.At this stage Kipketer was well back in third but quickly moved up to cover Sepeng.Entering the final straight Sepeng was leading just from Kipketer but looked spent.Kipketer moved passed with 40 meters left but Sepeng came again but it was too late as kKipketer just held on for his third world title.In the scrap for the bronze Said Guerni,who had run a personal best in every round,came though from Kimutai who had looked off the pace though out the final.Kipketer said after the race that he knew he would pass Sepeng but was worried that there might not be enough track left to take him on while Sepeng said that his plan had been to be ahead of Kipketer coming into the straight as to add pressure to the Dane.Sepeng went on to say that he is now going to focus on trying to lower his personal best and also prepare to try and take gold in Sydney.
Men`s 1500metres
el Guerrouj shows his worth!
Athletes who took to the line:
*Hicham el Guerrouj MOR 3:27.65
*Noah Ngeny KEN 3:28.73
*Reyes Estevez ESP 3:30.57
*Fermin Cacho ESP 3.31.34*Andres Diaz ESP 3.31.83
*Laban Rotic KEN 3.33.32
*David Lelei KEN 3.33.82
Driss Maazouzi FRA 3.34.02
*Steve Holamn USA 3.34.32
*Graham Hood CAN 3.35.35
*Adil Kaouch MOR 3.47.05
*Nourridine Morceli ALG DNF
Hicham el Guerrouj successfully defended his world title when he stormed to victory in Seville.His fellow countryman Adil Kaouch led out the pace at the request of el Gurrouj much to the dissappointment of the crowd who would have preferred to see a straight race.el Guerrouj sat in until he made his break for home with Spain`s Reyes Estevez trying to go with him on the last lap.Ngeny moved up to finish second but el Guerrouj was never under any real pressure.To the delight of the home crowd Estevez came home 3rd with his teammates Fermin Cacho and Andres Diaz finishing 4th and 5th respectively.el Guerrouj broke the championship record that was set back in 1991 by Norridine Morceli when he finished in 3:27.65.Estevez was quite angry at el Guerrouj for using his team mate Kaouch as a pace maker saying that the race was more like a grand prix race then a championship final.He went on to say that because of this he was not able to attack el Guerrouj at full blast as he was aiming for a gold medal after bronze in Athens in `97
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| # |
Athlete |
Nat |
Time |
Date |
Venue |
| 1 |
Wilson Kipketer |
DEN |
1.42.27 |
03-09-1999 |
Bruxelles |
| 2 |
Japheth Kimutai |
KEN |
1.42.69 |
03-09-1999 |
Bruxelles |
| 3 |
Hezekiel Sepeng |
RSA |
1.42.69 |
03-09-1999 |
Bruxelles |
| 4 |
André Bucher |
SUI |
1.42.92 |
03-09-1999 |
Bruxelles |
| 5 |
Djabir Saïd-Guerni |
ALG |
1.43.09 |
03-09-1999 |
Bruxelles |
| 6 |
William Chirchir |
KEN |
1.43.33 |
03-09-1999 |
Bruxelles |
| 7 |
David Kiptoo |
KEN |
1.43.85 |
04-08-1999 |
Monaco |
| 8 |
Johan Botha |
RSA |
1.43.91 |
30-06-1999 |
Oslo |
| 9 |
Andrea Longo |
ITA |
1.43.93 |
04-08-1999 |
Monaco |
| 10 |
Kenneth Kimwetich |
KEN |
1.43.98 |
30-06-1999 |
Oslo |
| 11 |
Norberto Téllez |
CUB |
1.44.05 |
02-07-1999 |
Lausanne 1 |
| 12 |
Robert Chirchir |
KEN |
1.44.35 |
02-07-1999 |
Lausanne 1 |
| 13 |
William Yampoy |
KEN |
1.44.38 |
29-07-1999 |
Barcelona |
| 14 |
Nils Schumann |
GER |
1.44.47 |
03-09-1999 |
Bruxelles |
| 15 |
Frederik Onyancha |
KEN |
1.44.48 |
02-07-1999 |
Lausanne 1 |