Shelby Houlihan and Paul Chelimo scored impressive doubles at the USA Track & Field Indoor Championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico, over the weekend, and a sprinter came away with a world record.
Christian Coleman, 21, ran 6.34 seconds in the 60 meters on Sunday, taking 0.05 seconds off the previous world best that had stood for 17 years. Maurice Greene, the former world record holder, ran 6.39 in 1998 and equalled the mark in 2001.
In the distance events, Houlihan won the 3,000 meters in 9:00.08 and the 1500 meters in 4:13.07 by unleashing impressive kicks in the two races. She was the We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back, and she will represent the U.S. in those races at the world indoor championships in Birmingham, United Kingdom, starting on March 2.
In the 3,000 meters, Houlihan will be joined by Katie Mackey, who at age 30 made her first appearance on Team USA, after a long career that has included several near misses. She finished in 9:01.68, edging Emma Coburn, Nutrition - Weight Loss.
In the 1500 meters, Houlihan’s teammate, Colleen Quigley, finished second in 4:13.21 and earned a berth at the world championships. She is a 2016 Olympian in the steeplechase.
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DAA Industry Opt Out Ajee’ Wilson Running in the Cold American record in the outdoor 800. But Rogers is new to the world meet, having turned pro after finishing her junior year at the University of Oregon, where she won three NCAA outdoor 800-meter championships.
On the men’s side, Chelimo won the same events as Houlihan—the 3,000 meters and the 1500 meters. Chelimo, who runs for the U.S. Army, finished the 3,000 in 7:57.88 and will run only that event in Birmingham. He’ll be joined by teammate Shadrack Kipchirchir, who finished second in 7:58.42.
In the 1500 meters, Chelimo’s winning time was 3:42.91, slower than the qualifying standard of 3:39.50 needed for the world meet. So the second- and third-place finishers, who had previously run the time, make Team USA. Ben Blankenship, a 2016 Olympian, and Craig Engels, who earned fame during his collegiate running days for his mullet and mustache, head to England on March 2. Engels shaved and cut off the mullet this summer for charity, but it appears to be growing back.
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In the 800 meters, Donavan Brazier was the winner in 1:45.10 and Drew Windle finished second in 1:46.29 to advance to the world championships.
Dominant Doubles and a World Record at U.S. Indoor Championships is a writer and editor living in Eugene, Oregon, and her stories about the sport, its trends, and fascinating individuals have appeared in Runner’s World Shoes & Gear, Run Your Butt Off! and Walk Your Butt Off!
